Students in modern classrooms might have access to many resources at school, but once they step off the buses to their homes, they may be moving back to a dial-up or low speed internet connection, or perhaps even a mobile connection only, if that. These differences in access can create a gap between those who have access and those who do not. Sometimes, other factors come into play, such as family income and physical location. Digital equity extends beyond educational environments into the entire community.
The Greatest Issues
According to an article by Keith Krueger in The Journal, the statistics tell the majority of the story. The first point is that over half of educators in low-income districts reported that limited technology access has prohibited advancement. This number is extremely high, especially in already disadvantaged districts. In addition to the income point, data gathered shows that lowest-income households, especially minority households, have the lowest broadband subscription rate.
For other families, the issue may not be only income-related. Many districts that serve students in rural areas experience an issue with connectivity. This is generally because the infrastructure is just not in place. When the best options for internet access include satellite or mobile data, the student will likely experience technical issues while working on his or her assignments.
Secondary Issues
Digital equity extends beyond connectivity issues; many students have limited access to computers as well. In the classroom, the district-owned devices guarantee digital equity, but if a student does not own a computer, it can be difficult to complete work outside of class. On some devices, such as Chromebooks, sign-in is online. If a district provides each student with one of these devices but the student has no internet service, then the device is useless.
Another secondary issue is the implementation of technology. Technology can amplify the teaching process. According to Krueger, great teachers will likely accomplish great things with technology in their classrooms. However, technology can also amplify poor teaching. If schools do not address these smaller secondary issues, then it is likely that the gap created by the digital divide will continue to grow.
Solutions
School districts cannot resolve digital equity issues on their own; the participation of the community at large is essential to making any real progress. The majority of school districts that the Consortium for School Networking (CoSN) Infrastructure Survey polled in 2014 reported that they did not have an initiative to address the lack of internet access outside of school. Options for the district include working with local internet providers to provide low-income families with access, providing hotspot access out in the community, and partnering with local businesses or libraries that offer free Wi-Fi.
The digital equity problem began with the transition from traditional to digital classrooms; integrating blended teaching environments only exacerbated the issue. Unequal student access to information and services can lead to big differences in performance. If you’re considering earning an online master’s degree in education, you may need to prepare to discuss digital equity before you even take your first class, especially if you work in a rural or low-income area.
Learn more about the Lamar University online M.Ed. in Educational Technology Leadership program.
Sources:
The Journal: How Digital Equity Can Help Close the Homework Gap
eSchool News: Why We Must Address Digital Equity Right Now
