Computers in the Classroom...if only

I an ideal world, Lindemann's chapter "Teaching with Computers" would be read by district leaders, and then would allow English teachers to have a few computers in the classroom that are actually modern enough to for students to word process and email. Unfortunately, students in California receive the least amount of funding per student than any other state in the union. The computer in my own classroom is so old, it still has a place for large floppy disks, and no USB drive. We have one computer lab in the library, but it can not accomodate a class over 25 students. Next year, we won't even have that because our librarian recieved a lay off notice, like all librarians and computer lab teachers in the district. When assigning a paper, I have to keep in mind that 1/3 do not have a computer at home, and of the 2/3 that do, maybe 1/2 have a printer (Time for some fun with fractions!). They ask if they can bring in their USB and print in my room, but as aforementioned, my computer does not have a flash drive.

Lindemann sums up this dilemma by stating "Even the most recent studies still indicate that access to computers is inequitable. Access varies widely by socioeconomic class, with poorest students having the most limites access. Wide disparities exist among schools as well, again with underfunded schools having the worst access" (Lindemann 288). I think she summarizes what many teachers in this state feel, and leaders can not figure out why when our students enter college, they can hardly type a paper. Most still emloy the 'hunt and peck' method. Even with computer technology as advanced as it is with facebook, myspace, and YouTube, access is limited. I've actually had students type their paper on their phones and email it to me because they dont have a computer.

If we did have access, Lidnemann's ideas about prewriting and writing as a process, peer editing, and sharing work would work well, and give students a sense of pride in their writing. Typing adds a formal aspect that hand writing lacks, even if handwritning is more personal.