Digital Divide in Education: Racial and Socioeconomic inequalities
Technology plays a vital role in education. It has helped us develop new techniques in education and has helped advance the classroom. However, lacking resources has played a massive role in creating a digital divide. Many schools K-12 and colleges have switched over to using mainly online resources. Completing an assignment without a device and good internet service is almost impossible in college. Even applying to colleges requires the use of online resources. Recently, K-12 schools have also switched to many technology-based assignments. All of these changes have affected students in many different ways.
Unfortunately, socioeconomic status and race also play a significant role in this digital divide. As a first-generation Latina student from a single-parent household, I had little internet access until high school. I was at a disadvantage during those years because of this limited access. Luckily though, in elementary and middle school, only a few of our assignments in the classroom and homework did not require internet access. Whenever we did need to access the Internet, our schools provided laptops for us to use. I also came from a low socioeconomic district in Texas, so the devices we used had to be reserved because they were shared throughout the school. Almost all middle and high school teachers provided time in the classroom for students to work on assignments that required the Internet. The teachers planned this because most students had no access at home. Currently, I am more at an advantage regarding the digital divide. I always have access to the Internet, including free wifi at the school. According to the article " Education Equity in Crisis: The Digital Divide," in California, up to 32% of African American Students and 33% of Latine Students lack access to the Internet.
Teachers should only assign work online if they provide the time to do so in the classroom. Especially if they are in a low socioeconomic district. What could help this divide is providing access to schools and classes that show how to use applications they had not used before. Another way that would help is by giving a survey to the students to see who has access to the Internet at home before giving them assignments that require Internet access. Bridging the divide in public education may take more work for funding. The best option would be to provide these resources at the schools and limit homework assignments requiring the Internet. However, with almost everything requiring internet access, what could we do that helps students become their best versions.
In general, Should teachers create assignments requiring Internet access outside the classroom?
Could school districts provide laptops, hotspots, or other devices to help bridge the divide?
Teya, I appreciate the way you clearly summarize the digital and scholastic inequity within certain racial and socioeconomic groups. Your words, experience, and opinion have so much more value in that you have lived in less advantaged communities as a younger student.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your stance that some ways to address the bridge the divide is to have teachers refrain from assigning work online unless they give students time in class and avoid it if not al students have Internet access. I like your idea of surveying students about their opportunity or lack there of to get online at home. However, to avoid potential shame or embarrassment, maybe inquiring from parents or guardians may be a better route. Not sure.
I also resonate with your idea of having these resources at school. Kids can share computers at school if funding is an issue, perhaps working in a rotation system; computer time, play time or hands on learning, etc.
This may be a bit of a bunny trail, but on the subject of homework , I believe homework over 1/2 hour is unnecessary and causes more stress than increasing achievement whether digital or not. I did some research on the effectiveness on homework in schools throughout the world. One article from EdSurge; Opinion (by Tim Klein and Belle Liang 10/14/2022) states that homework has added to the mental health crisis. "If we're so serious about student well-being, we need to change systems in how students learn." Excessive homework causes increased stress and physical problems. Family time and down time fly out the window. According to American Psychological Association, "The Best school systems in the world succeed without homework". Here they are
referring to Finland's schools which have surpassed the US and even Asian countries in that they
are "Rich in intellect and educational reform." Hmmm. Interesting.
educational reform ( WORLD ECONOMICAL FORUM- Mike Caolag).
Teya, I completely agree with your point about giving students ample time in class to complete any homework assignments that involve technology or internet access. I think this is where differentiating curriculum must be an emphasis for teachers. Homework assignments do not have to be solely technology specific or paper specific, a good lesson should be able to be interchangeable with both, while still retaining the intended learning objective. This ties in to your other point about the survey to find out what students struggle to access the internet and devices and then using that information to differentiate the curriculum. Presenting it as though the students have a choice in which avenue they would like to complete their assignment lessens the stress on students who do not have access to the internet at home. While getting students comfortable with technology is important, reaching the state standards for the specific subject area should be the main emphasis at all times and students shouldn't have to struggle just because they do not have the necessary technology.
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