Bridging the Digital Divide: What Can Schools Do?

Technology is everywhere, right? Not necessarily.

Assuming everyone has access to some sort of internet enabled device is one of the biggest mistakes a school or school district can make. While it may seem like every student is constantly texting away or browsing the internet on their smartphones, not every student has access to technology, especially at home.

Low-income districts and schools located in rural areas not only face the challenge of finding the funds to implement technology initiatives, they also face the challenge of ensuring all students can leverage this technology at home.

While 1:1 programs may seem like a quick fix to this problem, these school-provided devices can only do so much without access to the internet. Even if a student has access to a mobile device, there is a possibility they won’t have internet at home to complete online assignments and projects.

“I’ve had to be really careful and know which kids need paper materials to take home and which kids can actually access materials online due to the lack of internet access in the really rural areas [around my school],” says Nancy Allen, an AP US History teacher at Angleton High School. “That’s something to think about when considering web-based learning in your classroom.”

Bridging the gap between students who have access to the internet and internet enabled devices and those who do not is an issue that educators can’t completely solve by themselves. However, with proper planning and execution, it is still possible to provide equal learning opportunities to students when implementing technology initiatives.

Acknowledging that all students do not have access to the internet is the first step in planning a tech initiative that looks to bridge the digital divide. There are many technologies available to schools that can be leveraged in the classroom that have the potential to greatly enhance learning. Technologies such as interactive projectors and whiteboards, as well as wireless presentation systems are all classroom-based technologies that help to expand learning opportunities and increase engagement. Students can use 1:1 devices such as iPads or laptops to contribute their own ideas to these displays while in the classroom, ensuring every student has the opportunity to participate in using these technologies.

While using classroom-based technology allows all students to benefit from an enhanced learning environment, it is difficult for students to continue their learning experiences outside of the classroom when they do not have access to devices or internet. This is where schools need to consider where students can go after school to continue their learning through the use of technology.

Many community organizations such as local libraries and non-profits provide members with access to computers and the internet. To help ensure all students can complete online assignments, schools can look to work with these organizations to create after-school programs that grant students the opportunity to use technology to complete homework.

Perhaps most importantly, students need to feel empowered to use technology to learn, not discouraged. It is important that before technology initaitives are implemented, schools feel confident that they have buy-in from their students. When students are excited to use technology, they are more likely to use the resources provided to them outside of school.

Until internet access is provided free of cost to every student’s home, schools will have to strongly consider how they are going to implement technology in a way that will provide students equal opportunities to learn both in and outside of the classroom.

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