Chapter 8: Systemic Issues

Chapter 8: Systemic Issues

Systemic issues include digital equity, teaching through technology for English language learners and ESL students and special needs students. Language learning programs are becoming less classroom and whole group instruction-based and more technology, learning-listening center- based. Podcasting is one web 2.0 application that's becoming increasingly popular as a second-language learning tool. According to Solomon and Schrum, the most recent census revealed that while about 70% of Caucasian and Asian-American students have computers and internet access at home, fewer than 40% of Native American, African-American and Hispanic children have computers and internet access at home. This discrepancy is 'the digital divide,' which school districts, cities and communities need to address. Electronic portfolios as one form of assessment is also discussed  at length.