Using Technology with At-Risk Students

Educators today are calling for meaningful learning activities that engage our most at-risk learners. Educators are constantly looking for ways to motivate, engage and help students learn basic skills that will help them assimilate their knowledge into real world skills that will allow them to be productive citizens. To do this educators have a challenging road of reform ahead. Instead of students practicing skills in isolation these skills should be taught in the context of working through authentic tasks.
Technology can also help students form cooperative learning environments where they help each other learn. This teaches students valuable life skills which are applicable to working in the work-force.
Additionally, we must look at equity for our at-risk populations. It must become a priority of state and local agencies to provide equal access to all our students.
In relationship to teachers, we must also be certain to provide on-going professional development in the appropriate uses of educational technology.
If we want our students to succeed in the 21st century we must prepare them with the technological skills for an ever changing world.