Consistent access to technology

There are three parts to the Digital Learning Gap: technology and access, participation, and powerful use. Digital technology enhances teaching and learning only when teachers and students have adequate and consistent access to high-speed internet and quality learning tools. Schools with reliable, ubiquitous access to the internet and digital tools have the greater potential to design more personalized and equitable content and instruction. Students in such schools can have a greater chance to be more engaged in learning, take ownership of their learning, set their own pace, and collaborate with educators and peers within and outside their school and district¹.

But having technology and access at school is only half the battle. To close the digital learning gap, we must make sure that students have access to technology and high-speed internet outside of school.

Furthermore, edtech integration goes beyond connecting schools to high-speed internet and featuring 1:1 computing classrooms. It also includes promoting responsible technology use. All students need to learn how to navigate the digital world safely and in an appropriate manner that helps them succeed in school, work, and life. Digital citizenship is a wide-ranging topic and can encompass a variety of concepts and actions. A few examples of digital citizenship include understanding your digital footprint, learning to type, avoiding hateful speech or cyberbullying while conversing with others online, and committing to not illegally using any content.

An effective edtech integration system also protects student data and privacy. While the use of student data is critical for designing personalized learning and formative feedback, this should happen under written policies that include parental understanding and consent, the terms of responsible use, and consequences for misuse².

Additionally, high-quality edtech integration should provide ubiquitous access for students and teachers at any time and from any place. Students have fewer barriers to engagement and learning when they can use their digital learning resources outside of school not only to complete their homework, but to explore topics that interest them, work on independent projects, and connect with their peers and teachers³.

We must look beyond a binary view of access that only considers whether a student has it or not to a more accurate measurement taking under-connection into account. For many U.S. families, home access is still limited to a smartphone with a data plan. According to a recent EdSurge article, 12 million students lacked access to a working device, reliable high-speed internet, or both as of December 2020. Families who do have service however, may not have access to a high-speed connection, enough data, or enough devices to adequately serve the needs of everyone in the home.

During the extended COVID-19 school shutdowns, technology access was a major challenge for schools and districts, especially for those who serve a high percentage of students experiencing poverty. What’s more, it’s not just students without high-speed wireless access at home; it’s also teachers. It’s especially a problem in rural regions, where broadband internet service might be nonexistent or expensive.

Strategies for success:

• Ensure student and teacher access to the internet and devices in and out of school: Do regular, systematic checks on inventory in the school building and in classrooms, and assess how many devices are missing, lost, unrecoverable, or in need of repair. Develop methods for delivering temporary and loaner devices to students rapidly so that they are not missing out on a single day of class.
• Ensure student and teacher access to the internet and necessary tools at home: Gather information on internet connectivity from school district families as part of the general school registration process. Survey teachers for home connectivity in a similar manner. Once data is compiled, analyze solutions for connectivity for those who indicate they do not have internet access. Possible solutions could include checking out hotspots or LTE-enabled devices to those in need so they can have access at home, identifying nearby public wifi networks, or installing external wifi in school outdoor areas like parking lots.
• Create an accessible and robust repair/replacement plan for now and the future: Make sure all students and staff are aware of the process for device repairs, replacements, and loaners. Quick turnaround for repaired/replaced devices is also critical. It is helpful to have a small number of extra devices that can be used as loaners when students’ regular devices are out for repair. In addition, it’s important to plan for the sustainability of the program by budgeting ahead for such factors as durable cases that effectively prevent breakage; device protection plans for repairs; and assessing and replacing devices beginning in Year 3.
• Deliver student and staff training on digital citizenship topics: It is critical that both students and teachers receive training on care and use of the hardware, responsible use of devices and apps for learning and entertainment, internet safety, and more. Schools are encouraged to use a curriculum such as Common Sense to better prepare their learners to responsibly engage with technology. Revisiting the elements of digital citizenship throughout each year will help to maintain a safe and healthy school environment.
• Form a student tech team to help with first-tier device issues: With some training from the district IT team or other knowledgeable professionals, a team of students can assess devices that are not working to determine whether they can be reset or repaired in the building (which tech team members often can do) or whether the device needs to be sent out for repair or replacement. Student tech teams not only play a critical role in keeping devices working, but they provide leadership opportunities for students within their school community as advocates for good practices and tech skills with devices.
• Designate an IT point of contact within the school: Having someone in each building designated as the site-based IT manager helps to ensure smooth systems in managing and maintaining devices. This person can work with the tech team, help manage inventory, oversee the loaner device system, and coordinate with the district IT staff to repair or replace lost and broken devices quickly.