Using technology can help bridge the gap between different cultures and socioeconomic groups. It can also help us to create an equitable environment in the classroom. However, this can only happen if technology is used to promote this kind of cultural and equitable environment. When using technology, be aware of these issues that can arise in the classroom:

• The Digital Divide
• Racial and gender equity
• Adapting for special needs

The Digital Divide

Even though lower income students have more access to technology than ever before, middle and upper class students have more access, still, to newer technology. This is creating a divide between those who can afford technology and those who can't. This is causing a higher dropout rate for low income and minority students in distance schools than in physical schools. Not only do we have the problem with not enough technology to underserved students, but we also have an issue in which students who are not monitored during their computer time at home using this time for uneducational purposes instead of doing schoolwork or studying.

Racial and Gender Equity

It has been discovered that females, African Americans, and Hispanic minorities not only use computers less, but they are also less likely to enter career fields in math, science, and technology. These minority students are also more likely to be in remedial programs than their white and male peers, so they are using computers for remedial work instead of using time on technology to explore it and use e-mail, multimedia, etc. Less frequent exploration of technology can lead to the lower rates of entering technical career fields.

Adapting for Special Needs

Special needs students have many different disabilities, ranging from physical to learning. Technology is a good tool to use for these kinds of students, but if not used correctly, technology could end up being a hinderance, rather than a help. It may be a good idea to meet with your district's assistive technology specialist instead of trying to find the proper technology for your special needs student yourself.

Being aware and accepting of students'  needs, cultures, and backgrounds can be a huge step in helping students and creating a positive environment in the classroom. Allowing students ample time to complete assignments will help students who do not have access to technology at home. If you are able to, you could also have those students stay after school and then take them home later, if you have permission from their parents, or their parents could pick them up. Also, encouraging students who are in the minority to look at careers in math, science, or technology may make them start thinking about the possibility of entering those careers. Minority students may not believe that they are intelligent enough to think about those kinds of careers, but with encouragement, may start to feel differently. For students with special needs, just working with your district's assistive technology specialist should help to determine how best to get these students to learn.