Education versus Life

At a recent Consortium for School Networking (CoSN) Conference, noted film maker Lord David Puttnam said the most important thing the Education industry can learn from the Entertainment Industry is who is their audience. Puttnam said the Entertainment audience is people ages 16 to 24. The Education industry’s audience are people who are information technology sophisticated. He didn’t say what age that would be but I’m guessing it’s pretty much the same demographic as for the Entertainment industry. He goes on to say the way we receive and use information is not the way the schools present material. What’s worse, the way the schools present information has nothing to do with the way students are GOING to live their lives. Therefore, students are NOT engaged with learning. The problem is even more pronounced for students with disabilities as they are more likely than anyone to use technology in the workplace. Schools are failing because they don’t know their audience.

Imagine yourself, someone with a disability, applying for a job. At the interview you find the company uses state-of-the-art technology – they have to in order to stay competitive. Since your school held fast to analog textbook technology instead of the latest digital technology, you are unprepared to compete with others for the job. Even worse, you still couldn’t take the job if there was no competition because you would have to be trained on the job and the company is unwilling to do that.

Assistive technology is constantly updated to keep up with information technology. If you are not familiar with the latest IT or assistive technology, you have two strikes against you. That doesn’t mean getting a job is impossible, it just means you have to work even harder to get employed.

Whether you need AT or not you still need to be current with IT. If your school failed to be current, one option you have is to educate yourself about the current technology. You might try volunteering (if you can’t otherwise get a job) at a non-profit that is IT current. The terms “for-profit” and “non-profit” are misnomers. Just know they are bound by different rules and regulations. Non-profits are more likely to take you under their wing and give you on-the-job training than a for-profit organization.

Another way to educate yourself is just call a few companies, agencies or organizations you would like to work for and ask them what platform computer they use, and what other IT hardware and software they use. You can then go to a “Fries” or “Best Buy” to see the hardware or software in action. You can even download user manuals to see how some IT works and with what hardware or software it is and is not compatible. You have to know if your AT is compatible with that IT before applying for work there.

I never said it would be easy. If you want to compete in today’s job market you may have to update more than your resumé. You may have to update the way you live – at least in terms of IT. Schools don’t want to fail but consider who runs them. I went to a school board meeting and advocated the use of 21st century technology to prepare students for 21st century jobs. The school board president and at least one other board member, each well over 45 years of age, responded by saying they like the feel of a textbook and don’t want to let it go. Interestingly enough, one school system reported they used city bonds to finance technology for schools. The community voted to approve the bond issue for the very reason I gave earlier – they believed we need to use 21st century technology to prepare students for 21st century jobs.

Never before has there been such a “big disconnect” between the way students live their lives and the way schools present information. Unless schools find a way to present information in a way comparable to the way students live their lives, students will not be engaged to learn. This is especially disconcerting for students with disabilities as they, more than anyone, will be working in a technology rich environment.

About the author

Gene Rodgers Photo Gene Rodgers has been a quadriplegic since age 17. Since then he has earned several college degrees, worked in several states, earned a Switzer Fellowship, and now works as a private contractor.

Do you have a question about employment and disability? Send your question to grodgers@austin.rr.com and put “DLRP JOBS” in the subject line.