How do I provide equal access to tech?

Making technology available for all students in your classroom is a difficult conflict that all teachers have to resolve. We all need to find our own answers. The most difficult thing that I would foresee is lack of actual computers in the classroom. Not every student will have his or her own computer available to them in the classroom. A reasonable expectation could be only 4 or 5 computers per class. This isn't even taking into account the condition, specifications and software available on the computers you do have.

With these limitations we have to be creative if we are going to give equal access to all students. Some of my ideas for ways to meet this goal would be.

• Assign homework research projects that must be done in either the school or the public library, this allows students a chance to use computers but also allows even students who don't have home access to the internet to be included.
  
• Use computer surveys as pre-tests to understand where the students understanding of a topic has started. This can be done over the course of a day with students taking turns on limited computers.
• Break the class into smaller groups and have them work at stations, each station has a different task. One station could involve using the computers.
• Use the computer in front of the class to connect to websites, podcasts, webcams or other presentations, it may not be hands on access but it is equal.
• Devote class time to allow students to utilize educational websites that show content but also allow them to develop study skills