EDUC 5353 Learning Technologies to Bridge the Digital Divide

Data Collection     Recent data from  the State of Connecticut indicates that there are still families within our state who do not have access to reliable internet service for a variety of reasons. As stated in my post last week, there are families who simply cannot afford an internet subscription. As I began researching this topic, I learned news of remedying the digital divide is making headlines in my state. In December 2023, The Office of the Governor Ned Lamont released a draft of the Digital State Equity Plan in the state of Connecticut. In the plan, Lamont indicates that the state "has taken significant steps to close the digital divide." The plan outlines multiple goals for the state, however, the one most pertinent to my call of action is "ensuring residents have options for getting online that are affordable and meet their needs." The goal of the Everyone Connected  plan is to provide internet access for all. Throughout my research for this class, I expect...

Introduction      Hello and welcome to my first blog post for this class! My name is Jill Ciccarelli and I live and work in Connecticut. I have been employed as a teacher by the same school district since 1999 and have taught in grades 1, 3, 4, 5, and 6. I have been in my current position as a 6th grade Language Arts teacher for the past five years. After 19 years in an elementary setting, this change brought me to middle school. I LOVE teaching 6th graders, and I especially enjoy focusing on one content area rather than five. This is my 8th class at Southeastern Oklahoma State University as I pursue a second master's degree in Curriculum and Instruction-Educational Technology.      When I am not working or doing coursework, I am very busy with my family. I have been married for 19 years and we have three children aged 17, 15, and 12. We also have a German Shepherd and a Doberman Pinscher, who are both three-years old and VERY active. My Community   ...