Closing the Gap is an ISTE book series designed to reflect the contributions
of multiple stakeholders seeking to ensure that digital equity is achieved on
campuses, in classrooms, and throughout education. In this series, authors Nicol
R. Howard, Sarah Thomas, and Regina Schaffer offer historical and philosophical
insights while exploring challenges and solutions unique to teacher preparation
programs, pre-service and in-service teachers, and instructional
coaches.
The second book in the series, Closing the Gap:
Digital Equity Strategies for the K-12 Classroom, includes:
- Examination of digital equity and the “problem of
practice” for teachers and coaches
- Strategies for connecting the ISTE Educator and
Student Standards to practice
- Discussion of key challenges facing teachers in
today’s classrooms, such as access, connectivity, limited resources, digital
divide, and the homework gap
- Research-based vignettes from teachers who have
encountered and conquered some of the challenges addressed in the book, and
from edtech coaches who have implemented equity-centered innovative
professional development
- Concrete, evidence-based strategies for teachers
This book will help K-12 classroom teachers address the challenges of
teaching in the digital age, providing positive examples and recommendations for
moving toward digital equity in K12 settings.
About the Authors
Sarah Thomas, Ph.D., is an educator and
the founder of the EduMatch movement, a project that empowers educators to make
global connections across common areas of interest. She has presented
internationally, participated in the Technical Working Group to refresh the 2017
ISTE Standards for Educators, and is a recipient of the 2017 ISTE Making It
Happen Award. She is also a national advisor for the Future Ready Instructional
Coaches Strand. A full biography is available at bit.ly/sarahthomasbio.
Nicol R. Howard, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor in the
School of Education at the University of Redlands. She has served as co-chair
for ISTE’s Digital Equity Network. Her research foci are equitable uses of
technology in K16 classrooms, STEM Education opportunities and achievement, and
teacher education concerns. Her writing has appeared in the Corwin Connected
Educators Series Standing in the Gap: Empowering New Teachers Through
Connected Resources, Urban Education Journal, International
Journal of Educational Technology, EduCause, Edutopia and eCampus News.
Regina Schaffer is
a Technology Specialist for
the Middletown Township School District. She was recently selected as
a National School Board Association’s 20 to Watch, as well as a 2016
PBS LearningMedia Digital Innovator. She is a Google Certified Innovator, Common Sense Media Certified Teacher, Discovery
Education DEN Star, Remind Connected Educator and a Brainpop Connected Educator.
Connect with Regina at @reginaschaffer.