The Austin
Independent School District (AISD) should be commended for the technological
advances it has brought to schools. Since the 1990s when teachers were given a
computer and four laptops as an incentive to embrace computers and the budding
Internet, the District has steadily advanced the technology available to
faculty, staff and students.
Since 2000,
schools in the District have become wireless, which means that all computers in
the District are continually on-line. Teachers keep track of grades and
attendance via the Internet and most classrooms have more than two to three
computers. The latest high tech classroom tool is the Innovation Station, which
brings a complete digital presentation system, equipped with a large screen, mounted
speakers and a computer, into the classroom. COWs (or computers on wheels) are
also being placed in most AISD schools so teachers have access to a movable
computer lab, which they can check out. Fulmore has received or will receive
eight COWs, each with 30 computers on board.
It is becoming
more and more important that students have access to the Internet, both for
lessons and to follow teachers on websites like Twitter. Other teachers require
students to have accounts with the Internet Movie Database (IMDB).
However, in this
economy, it is pretty unrealistic for the District to assume that all students
and parents will have access to the Internet, much less have a computer or
laptop. According to the 2009 Census, only 39.7 percent of Hispanics, 45 percent
of Blacks and 65.7 percent of Anglo families have high-speed Internet at home.
While it’s true that students can use the computers at the libraries, it is not
realistic to think that they will be able to go to a public library after
school.
Parents need the
same tools and Internet access that their children do so that the on-line
grades and attendance records are available to them, too.
According to the
Austin American-Statesman, schools districts in Texas were given the option to
choose a percentage of their textbooks online for the 2010-2011 school years.
The schools could use that extra money on other electronic devices.
The District is
looking into cheaper means of use connectivity. District technology director
Dave Sanders said recently that cell phones and apps may be
an answer, he pointed out that while not all households have computers, almost
everyone has a cell phone.
Much of the
technology that the District has been able to provide to schools has come from
the citizens of Austin through bond elections. The City and District are to be
commended for providing schools and students with the latest technology. The
District will do well, however, to remember its most financially strapped
families who may already be at a disadvantage. They need access to top-notch
technology at home if the playing field is to remain level.
