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5 Strategies for Addressing the Digital Divide in Education

5 Strategies for Addressing the Digital Divide in Education

In a world increasingly reliant on digital connectivity, bridging the digital divide in education is crucial. Insights from a President and a CEO reveal innovative strategies to ensure all students have access to essential technology and internet resources. The discussion opens with creating partnerships for refurbished tech deployment and concludes with the importance of considering multiple factors in addressing the digital divide, offering a total of five expert insights. Discover actionable strategies in this compelling exploration of educational equity.

  • Create Partnerships for Refurbished Tech Deployment
  • Collaborate with Businesses for Mobile Learning Hubs
  • Form Community Partnerships for Tech Access
  • Offer Multiple Access Points for Online Programs
  • Consider Multiple Factors in Addressing Digital Divide

Create Partnerships for Refurbished Tech Deployment

I've built Next Level Technologies around empowering businesses with robust IT solutions, and addressing digital inclusion is a personal and professional goal. One effective initiative I've implemented focuses on creating partnerships with local communities and educational institutions to deploy refurbished laptops and tablets equipped with open-source educational software.

We partnered with regional non-profits to identify underserved areas, and by leveraging unused tech assets from small businesses we serve, transformed them into valuable learning tools. This approach is cost-effective and sustainable, allowing students to access digital resources without the financial burden.

An example from our work in Columbus involved setting up central technology hubs within community centers, where students can access both devices and reliable Wi-Fi, creating safe spaces for learning. This strategy has led to a 30% increase in tech access for students in those communities, and it's scalable to different locations based on their unique needs.

Collaborate with Businesses for Mobile Learning Hubs

At Tech Advisors, we've seen firsthand how the digital divide impacts learning, especially in underserved communities. During the COVID-19 pandemic, many businesses we worked with were forced to adopt remote solutions, and schools faced similar challenges. A local school district approached us for help when they found out many of their students lacked devices or internet connectivity at home. We partnered with the district to deploy refurbished laptops and secure discounted internet packages, ensuring students could participate in remote learning.

One of the most effective strategies we've used is collaborating with local businesses to fund technology programs for schools. For example, in partnership with community organizations, we helped set up mobile learning hubs equipped with Wi-Fi and essential devices in underserved neighborhoods. These hubs not only provided internet access but also served as a safe, resource-rich environment where students could complete assignments and access digital learning tools.

To address the digital divide long-term, it's crucial to think beyond just hardware and internet access. Schools also need ongoing IT support and training for teachers. We've worked with educators to set up easy-to-use software and provide training sessions so they can make the most of the tools available. The results have been encouraging. Teachers feel confident using technology, and students gain access to the learning they deserve. Simple, consistent actions can make a huge difference in bridging the gap.

Form Community Partnerships for Tech Access

One of the effective strategies to bridge the digital divide and ensure that all students have access to technology and internet resources is through community partnerships. Through partnerships with local businesses, nonprofits, and government organizations, schools can pool resources to provide essential technology and internet access to underserved students.

For example, a school district may team up with an internet service provider in the region to offer discounted broadband access to families that need it. Furthermore, these collaborations can also make it easier for the donation of devices like laptops or tablets and even training programs for students and teachers on how to best use such technologies. Such collaboration, therefore, contributes to access to technology while at the same time building shared responsibility for achieving educational equity.

Such programs have been found to be successful in filling gaps left open in access, thus keeping all students fully equipped to operate successfully in a digital learning environment.

Offer Multiple Access Points for Online Programs

My certificate program at Emory University Continuing Education is fully online. The "Digital Marketing: Build and Launch Better Multichannel Campaigns" program upon registration validates that enrolling students have online access to our technology interface. But life is never that simple. My students come from a broad spectrum of adult learners with their own complex lives. For instance, I have one student now who has completed the nine weeks of live and self-study track courses and is ready to enter her three-week capstone practicum. She is a busy single mom, and her computer just broke down. I already have in place resources where she can go to a physical location on our campus or elsewhere in her location to use a computer in a safe place. I have in place alternative ways my students can seamlessly participate in the program, despite the tech access hurdles that are a reality in our lives. These include:

1. I custom-coded this program in our Canvas LMS and also incorporated a built-in mini-course I created in Articulate Rise. The program interface and material comply with the W3C's Web Accessibility Initiative and Section 508 guidelines. All students who use assistive technology can access the program content.

2. The program is mobile-friendly down to a mobile phone in its horizontal orientation.

3. The program begins with nine weekly courses. Each week begins with a live lecture and follows with weekly activity. If a student has trouble during the live lecture, I have a pre-recorded version that serves as a stand-in (or a great review). Canvas has a built-in communication system for class participants so there is no need to ask one another for contact information so that they can work on their group projects. For their weekly individual assignments, I permit a wide variety of submission formats to accommodate their own development apps. I give students two tries on their open-book quizzes with no time limits so they can successfully complete the weekly quiz.

4. For their capstone projects, I allow multiple drafts of their submissions in order to help them refine necessary requirements.

5. I also allow for a variety of ways to reach me or the team for additional help.

A purely online blended learning program can be a challenge for tech and online access, but a work-around contingency plan and built-in solutions make a big difference to prevent any challenge that may get in the way of a learner's successful experience.

Mary Zimnik
Mary ZimnikEducator | Learning Architect | E-Learning Innovator | Marketing-Communications, Studio-MZ

Consider Multiple Factors in Addressing Digital Divide

When addressing the issues concerning the digital divide, it is important to consider several factors including: possible geographic limitations such as the area not being equipped with access to high-speed internet, funding that has been designated for technology, infrastructure to support the population, and community involvement from stakeholders. Access to resources like public transportation and community colleges can also help close the divide. Additionally, the age group of those affected must be considered. Depending on the amount of prior knowledge one has, this could help close the gap faster.

Kara Lee
Kara LeeOnline Learning Coordinator

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