The pandemic moved digital equity concerns to the forefront--here's how to support robust access to online learning resources.

4 things we need to realize about digital equity


The pandemic moved digital equity concerns to the forefront--here's how to support robust access to online learning resources

This need for digital equity resulted from a number of factors, including school districts offering virtual learning options within existing schools, such as remote learning days or full virtual academies; students needing some form of intervention, acceleration, or support due to the loss of instructional time and engagement caused by the pandemic; students excelling academically online or parents preferring the option of a more flexible school day; and students needing reliable home internet to participate in class assignments despite a return to in-person learning.

The bottom line? Access to reliable high-speed internet and digital tools is essential. Digital equity is an imperative.

Key findings from the study include:

1. Learning with video is essential for education. Over 85 percent of network traffic in remote learning is used for video, which requires sufficient upload and download speeds. This increasingly popular learning trend is expected to continue for the foreseeable future.

2. Students are mobile and rely on Wi-Fi. Many students participate in online learning activities outside of their own home, with 92 percent using Wi-Fi to do so. Students oftentimes concurrently use district-provided devices and personal devices, increasing Wi-Fi bandwidth needs.

3. Certain communities, especially in remote and rural areas, require more support and resources. Students in remote or rural areas most often have limited internet access and students working in areas with a large concentration of other students also experience poor connectivity.

4. The remote learning experience is significantly impacted by device quality. The quality of a student’s experience can be impacted by the age, type, quality and configuration of the device they’re using. Routinely collecting data sets that provide insight into student use of district-provided devices can enhance their experiences.

Laura Ascione

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