Technology and the Achievement Gap
The achievement gap is a disparity in academic success between majority and minority students.
The reasons for this gap are bountiful, but the solutions and remedies to these issues are also numerous, especially with the introduction of technology. Evidence suggests that the difference in academic success between minority and majority students is not a lack of ability but rather a difference in the quality of education among students. While this statement is not suggestion that teachers are solely responsible for the achievement gap, it is clear that teachers have the power to level the playing field and use resources to allow all students to be taught in an advanced and engaging learning environment.
This post seeks to establish ways teachers can challenge and engage students using technology.
As an art teacher, this means, make art lessons, relevant to each students and constructed in a manner that allows students to engage in critically thinking about themselves and their own lives and feel confident in their own knowledge and skin. Creating forums, such as wikis or blogs can encourage students to engage in creative dialog. Another resource could include using websites, videos and artist that explore a diverse culture range of artists, materials or styles. Such examples will be explored more in depth and will seek to create strides in reducing the achievement gap.
The biggest success rate for reducing the achievement gap, according to current research, is the concept of de-tracking students. Meaning students will no longer be categorized into high and low achievement groups but all given challenging and appropriate course work that pushes them to succeed. In order to create a successful diverse learning environment one should consider how to implement the following teaching strategies within the classroom. While the examples listed are primarily art related the strategies are applicable for all subjects and age levels.
Strategies:
The key to reducing this job is multifaceted but the foundation is laid when classrooms adhere to the following concepts:
1. Creating a personal relationship with students where they feel challenged, valued and nurtured while learning.
a. Create online forums for students to ask questions, express ideas and concepts and respond with open-ended questions. Use rubrics and graphic organizers to give students feedback that challenges their thinking and shows you have high expectations for them.
2. Introduce aspects where students can share, relate or reflect on their cultural heritage and use this reflection to better learn and teach their classmates.
a. Use museum websites to explore a wide variety of artwork. Create web quests that encourage students to research how art is valued or perceived in their own cultural and how that is similar and different to the art they see on a daily basis.
3. Draw connections between all members of a student’s community, including parents, family, religious and other community members.
a. Use a website to share what your classes are making and studying, or create an online art show, that features each student's best work. Create a newsletter or brochure that shares what is happening in your art room.
4. Create respectful and engaging ways to engage in learning, such as using visual arts as a tool to bring teaching to life.
a. Create a presentation for non-art teachers on how they can integrate and use art in their own classrooms. Prezi, is a great presentation site that allows for collaboration, sharing and discussion.
When working with ESL students along with the above strategies, one should also key the following points in mind:
5. Teach students simultaneously in English and their native language to challenge students academically while still providing them the skills to write, read and communicated in English.
a. Use art pod casts that relate to the topic your students are studying and are in the student’s native language. Create a web-quest that features international art websites that have several translations, such as the Prado in Spain, or the Uffizi in Italy.
6. Teach the cultural and social effects of language and how to transition between those situations. Show students how to use English on a daily basis in a way that is relevant to their lives. This is also important to teach practical aspects of language instead of abstract constructs. For instance, teach students the foundation of language needed to function academically and socially before teaching abstract and grammatical aspects of a language.
a. Explore cinema and screenplay writing, and have students write and star in their own movies. Give students opportunities switching from formal and informal situations in the movie.
7. Engage in learning that is beneficial to the group. Pair students to work together on projects, encourage peer tutoring and create a classroom community that respects and values all backgrounds and cultures. This allows students to gain pride, build social capital, and freely engage in critical thinking and dialogue.
a. Use presentational collaboration programs like Prezi or Google docs. To allow students to engage in-group work on art projects.
b. Create a unit about typography where students work together to make a graphic design project that uses both English and the student’s native language.
Resources:
