Every day the world is becoming a more high tech place to be. More and more is now being done and stored online. The sad truth is that those who don't have access to broadband capabilities are finding themselves falling further and further behind. One area that we can't let this happen to is with our children. In fact, we owe it to the children of America to ensure that they all have access to high speed internet in order to make sure that they can get the best education possible. This education is only possible if each and every school and home can get online easily in order to be able to get the information that is at their fingertips.
It has been shown time and time again that bringing the internet to students will help improve their test scores. One such example is found in the Yukon Kushokwim Delta region of Southwestern Alaska. Here, the local community came together to implement DeltaNet, which brought high speed internet to all the students in the region. Now in its third year, the program has shown dramatic results with huge overall math and reading improvements for grades three through six.
Even though 98% of schools in the United States have an internet connection, the problem often lies with the substance and bandwidth of that connection. Often, it is not strong enough in order to download the items which the students really need. However, students need this connectivity in order to gain the foundation to make them competitive in a world that is increasingly high tech. As a country, we can' afford to have the next generation flounder and we must help set the stage for preparing these students for life in the 21stcentury.
There are many aspect of a student's life which can be improved by having access to high speed internet. For example, teachers and students both can take advantage of new educational tools that are constantly being developed for the internet. The World Wide Web has educational resources available any time of the day or night and a student who may be having issues with a particular subject can always get online for help.
Teachers are also in need of a broadband connection. There are many areas of professional development which teachers can take advantage of online in order to give their students the best education possible and help prepare them for the future. Teachers can also get involved in professional learning communities and share ideas on how best to educate student on certain topics to make sure they fully comprehend the material.
Even school administrators need access to the internet in order to conduct assessments and to be able to find data in order to make good decisions regarding the welfare of their school.
Finally, it has been shown that students who have access to high speed internet are able to overcome the digital divide in both rural and low income regions. The internet brings the same information to everyone regardless of their class and puts everyone on the same playing field.
By Brent L Johnson
8:32 AM | 0
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