Digital Equity in Schools

Digital equity has come to the forefront of social issues as our dependence on technology increases. The COVID-19 pandemic in particular made the digital divide more obvious as students and educators turned to remote learning. Many students did not have access to, or experience with, the technology required for a quality education at home.

What Is School Digital Equity?

The technology industry has made incredible advances, and computers are more readily available than we could have imagined twenty years ago. However, digital equity remains a significant issue. Digital equity is when all individuals and communities have the information technology capacity needed for full participation in our society, democracy, and economy. In the context of schools, digital equity means all students have equal access to technology devices, the internet, and trained educators to assist them in using those devices.

Socioeconomic factors such as location, household income, race, and ethnicity influence digital equity most. Schools in rural areas tend to have less digital equity, as do those schools that serve populations with lower household incomes. Black, Hispanic, and Native American students are disproportionately affected by digital inequity.

Digital Equity and the Digital Divide

Digital equity relates to access, which is sometimes called the first-level digital divide. Three main pillars of access exist for students: access to high-speed internet, access to devices, and access to educators. A 2020 study by Close the Gap Foundation found that about forty-two million Americans are unable to afford broadband access, and one in four students don’t have reliable devices to access school online.

The second level of digital divide, digital literacy, involves having the digital skills and abilities to use the technology required for a digital education. The third-level digital divide is a more recent concept and examines who gains the highest advantage from the internet in terms of social and cultural benefits.

The digital divide prevents equal learning outcomes, reduces career opportunities, and impacts meaningful access to community. Essentially, students lacking digital equity are more socially isolated with far fewer opportunities.

Lack of Digital Equity in Schools

The digital impacts of technological inequalities during the COVID-19 crisis may be felt for years to come, including the lack of quality education and social support networks (sometimes called the network gap) for students during lockdown. The network gap hinders the development of an inclusive society and creates social inequality that affects overall quality of life.

Top skills that employers look for in job applicants are self-management, resilience, problem-solving, and critical thinking. Without access to digital devices, many students are at a disadvantage because they lose the opportunity to grow the analytical and critical thinking skills that are inherent to the use of technology. Furthermore, according to Close the Gap, seven out of ten jobs are currently gained through networking. Without digital access, networking is much harder, leading to a vicious circle of increasing disadvantage and a wider digital divide.

What Digital Equity in Schools Should Look Like

Digital equity in the school system should provide all students with equal access and opportunities and be inclusive and empathetic. Three main areas need to be addressed for digital equity in schools:

1. Access to broadband technology and the digital devices necessary to support learning under any circumstances, especially when required for remote learning
2. Education geared toward digital literacy and competence for both students and educators so that both can effectively use the technology
3. Focused and open discussions on the material benefits and outcomes of technology use and how students can maximize their off-line returns

Off-line returns for digital equity relate to the social and cultural benefits from the use of technology. Imagine two different socioeconomic groups where both have equal access and comparable digital literacy. One group may still benefit more from technology use than the other group. Examining how each group uses the internet to gain the most advantage from it is a complex but critical task.

Importance of Digital Equity in Schools

Digital equity in schools is of critical importance. The United Nations estimates that the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a $17 trillion loss in lifetime earnings. Schools help prepare students for future job opportunities, and without access to technology and the digital literacy it requires, students will be at a huge disadvantage.

The importance of digital equity in schools doesn’t end with job opportunities. Digital citizenship relates to all the ways an individual uses information technology to engage in society, politics, and government. A digital citizen who lacks access and literacy cannot be an effective voice for change.

Ramifications When Digital Equity Is Neglected

During the pandemic, at least half of all students around the world did not have access to the technology needed to continue school in a remote learning environment. The long-term consequences of missed school will be lower test scores, a decreased interest in school, and ultimately fewer job opportunities. 

Bridging the digital divide to achieve digital equity translates into a higher GDP. Increased broadband availability alone results in more jobs as more students have access to a formal education. This leads to raising the level of skills in the area and more types of jobs becoming available, which in turn contributes to economic growth.

Many countries have taken action to address the digital divide. According to the International Telecommunications Union, Italy announced an €85 million plan in 2020 to provide support for distance learning to 8.5 million students. In China, over 98 percent of the entire population has access to 4G networks, and the country has lowered the cost of internet connections to make the internet more accessible for all.

Technology and Increased Digital Equity in Schools

While computers are more affordable and readily available than ever, access to broadband is still a major problem. Exacerbating the issue are 5G deployment challenges, like income disparities that prevent access to fixed and mobile broadband technology for people in lower income or rural areas.

In order to fully address digital equity in schools, however, educators must think beyond access. The real advantage for students comes when they can use digital technology in ways that set them up for future success, both educational and professional.

Planning for Technology Integration

Educational technology, or EdTech, is the combined use of computer devices and software with theory and practice to support learning. Digital technologies can grow many of the critical thinking and problem-solving skills needed to thrive in the future, as well as provide increased interest in school.

Any plan for technology integration should consider socioeconomic factors to ensure all students have equal access and opportunities. If not approached sensitively, technology integration can increase the homework gap. The homework gap concerns the inability to do schoolwork at home due to lack of technology. The Pew Research Center found that almost five million households with school-age children don’t have access to high-speed internet. 

Education leaders can make lessons more engaging by integrating digital tools inventively. Teachers can use video conferencing tools in new ways, such as by engaging in digital study abroad programs. Centering lessons around collaborative class blogs or online math games is another great way to bring technology to the classroom.

Obstacles to Digital Equity in Schools

Major obstacles to digital equity in schools are closely linked to larger socioeconomic issues, primarily income inequality and location. Digital equity begins with access, and access can be difficult for households with lower incomes and residents of rural areas.

Sources of the Biggest Obstacles

Another obstacle to digital equity in schools is lack of access to digital devices. In K-12 education systems, long-term planning would help mitigate this issue. For example, planning to update or replace devices routinely would help ensure that educators are not scrambling during a lockdown to provide computers for distance learning.

The common misperception that all young people are “digital natives” and are naturally digitally savvy is another obstacle to digital literacy. The truth is, all students must receive some digital education and be taught digital literacy. To create digital equity, institutions must provide education on how to use the available technology and help students get the most out of digital learning. 

Role of Location in Digital Equity

K-12 students in rural districts are especially prone to a lack of broadband connections. Many educators were given hot spots for use in remote learning, but for residents in a rural area without good coverage, hot spots don’t help. A 5G forecast for 2021 predicted that implementation of 5G coverage would become even more crucial as the pandemic continued to aggravate digital inequity.  

The budget for technological devices used in classrooms is part of the larger issue of funding for public schools. In areas of low-income and underserved students, the budget for devices in the classroom is significantly lower than in school districts with higher-income families. A lack of access harms the academic outcomes of these students and perpetuates the cycle.

Political Factors

Digital equity and bridging the digital divide are largely dependent on political factors. Because of the large-scale socioeconomic factors that influence digital equity, it’s an issue that requires attention at both the local and regional levels, as well as at a national level. Unfortunately, politicians able to influence the policies needed to resolve these issues may not fully understand the impact of digital equity and the internet, impeding progress towards digital equity.

Strategies for Teachers Invested in Tackling Digital Equity in the Classroom

Computer science has never been as important as it is now. Encouraging computer science learning in the classroom will help students to develop critical thinking skills and learn how to not only use new technologies but create them. The future directions of 5G implementation will help support these goals.

While policy changes surrounding the socioeconomic factors will take time and money, school leaders can work toward bridging the digital divide and promoting digital inclusion in their classrooms.

How Teachers Can Help the Digital Divide

A good strategy for teachers to help address digital equity is multipronged:

• Identify whether any students experience challenges with digital access. Send letters home with students, allowing households to discreetly request devices or hotspots.
• Secure additional resources. Many programs are available to help when school funds run out. EveryoneOn and Close the Gap are examples of nonprofit organizations supporting digital equity.
• Create assignments that are universally accessible. Give in-class assignments utilizing available digital devices and homework assignments that don’t require them.

Making a Plan and Finding Resources to Tackle the Digital Divide

The COVID-19 crisis saw the digital divide amplified as schools scrambled to provide at-home learning options. Although any one teacher can’t solve the digital divide, a well prepared educator can make a digital equity plan to help tackle the issue by planning ahead and seeking out the resources available.

In Washington state, the Digital Equity Initiative raised millions of dollars through donations. These funds helped district leaders ensure that all students had access to the devices and broadband necessary for online learning.

Teachers and school leaders should understand that the vast majority of these issues come down to socioeconomic status of residents. It’s a large challenge to address digital equity, but with the help of policy changes, funding, and understanding, educators can make a huge impact on digital inclusion.

Conclusion

To sum up, the digital divide is a complex issue caused by various socioeconomic factors. The importance of digital equity cannot be overstated, however. Digital equity ensures students become more engaged in the classroom and take more control over their own learning. Digital equity also allows for an environment where students can experience project-based and student-centered learning. With the right tools, educators can navigate the path toward digital equity. 

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