Supporting Meaningful Learning Opportunities Through Technology in Historically Underserved Schooling Contexts

• In Event: Using Technology in Education

Abstract

While technology access is improving in many schools in historically underserved areas, access to the rich learning opportunities that these tools can promote remains more elusive. This paper seeks to explore this dilemma: what does it take to bring not just access but fundamentally new opportunities for teaching and learning to schools in under-resourced settings? The paper is based on a research study of a large-scale initiative that brought 1:1 iPads and extensive related support to 114 schools in a variety of under-resourced contexts. We look at the initiative through the lens of the “access divide” and the “use divide” to consider how best to support substantive instructional improvement in underserved contexts, while illustrating the diversity of the term “underserved.”

Authors

• Linda F. Shear, SRI International

• Natalie R. Nielsen, N2 Consulting

• Andrea D. Beesley, SRI International