Whose Responsibility Is It to Facilitate Digital Equity?
Technology is becoming a significant component of classroom curriculum and education in general. Computers, tablets, and mobile apps all promote learning on a deeper level for students. While this edtech certainly can help to promote better grades and deeper understanding, schools are now facing issues with digital equity. Students from high-income families have far more access to the technology needed to succeed than those from low-income families.
The major disparity is both shocking and widespread. One of the most prevalent issues is that children from low-income families are four times more likely to be without internet than their middle-income counterparts. This limits their ability to perform research, complete school projects, and perform other assignments issued by teachers. We are perpetuating the cycle where low-income students remain behind due to inequality. However, we often wonder just whose responsibility it would be to facilitate the much-needed digital equity.
Many people believe that it is the responsibility of the school to ensure that all students have access to the necessary resources at home. After all, it is public school teachers who are assigning homework that requires access to the internet in this digital age. Doesn’t the school bear some responsibility in providing this for the students who lack it?
In reality, digital equity requires a team effort to make sure that all students are given the tools they need to succeed. While the internet and computer access are necessary for their grades right now, having access to these items can increase their digital literacy for the future. This will be considered an essential skill as they are entering the workforce in the coming years. We will need to form a cooperative approach that fosters more digital equity with a number of companies and sectors.
Some equity attempts have already been made across the country with initiatives like Connect2Compete. They work with telecommunications companies to issue internet to children in local school districts who were lacking, but they provided it at a substantial discount. This made internet services more affordable to parents who were already on a strict budget.
With the internet becoming more affordable, many families still face the dilemma of affording the technology necessary to use it. Charitable organizations can help by offering discounted computers, tablets, or laptops to help offset the cost. Families who struggle to make these purchases often have to sacrifice a great deal, including other major purchases or daily luxuries like cable. Companies and organizations who can come alongside school districts to offer discounts for low-income families could help to solve the digital equity dilemma.
The school and other community organizations need to sponsor training sessions. If children and their parents did not grow up around technology, they may need assistance to use it. Offering public training can help parents learn why the internet should be a priority for their child. It can even teach them how to harness its power for themselves.
Digital equity is a growing problem for school districts, but it is going to take a multi-faceted approach to put an end to it. Other companies must get on board with the school in order to help minimize the disparity between low-income families and middle- to high-income families. Educators need to start speaking out and advocating for these partnerships in their local community to make a difference. In the end, digital equity is everyone’s responsibility so we can ensure that our students are given all the tools they need for future success.