What systematic steps can you routinely implement to ensure you contribute to bridging the digital divide?

The digital divide is the difference between individuals who have access to technology and are digitally literate and individuals who do not have any access to technology (Resta & Lafierra, 2015). The United States is a first-world country, but still, some individuals need access to technology. The school system plays a vital role in bridging the gap with the digital divide. According to Nichols et al. (2020), each public school in the US offers computer classes to learners as early as first grade. A large portion of the school budget goes to the technology needs of the students, like Chromebook or tablets. Liu (2021) emphasized that the Covid-19 shutdowns forced schools and businesses to use technology to continue their operation. Many parents need to become more familiar with the technology that their children are using in school. Because of this, they had some challenges when helping their children with schoolwork during the Covid-19 pandemic shutdowns. Two of the campaigns our school district is implementing are educating parents about the technology used in school and the routine inventory of students' devices.   According to Enrych et al., routine inventory of students' devices allowed school staff to ensure that the devices were still working correctly and would not hinder students' learning. Many students must report that their devices are not working correctly, for instance, the keyboard. If it works properly, the students might be able to do their work. 

How are parents and other caregivers a key factor?

Lee and Kim (2019) explained the essence of involving parents in the students' work by teaching them the technology. One of the reasons parents cannot help their children with their school work is that they need to learn how to access and navigate the learning management system the school uses. The gap between parents and their children regarding educational technology significantly affects how parents and caregivers help their children at home. According to Nichols et al. (2019), parents of the students' generation did not have Chromebook or any other technology when they were in school. Parents are familiar with mobile phones and social media, but more is needed to bridge the digital divide. They have an in-school program to help parents learn how to navigate the technology students use in school. School districts should invest in developing programs to ensure parents are familiar with the technology.

• How can you use technology to benefit those with low technology literacy?

Raising funds through social media to bring technology in rural areas is one way to increase digital literacy (Nichols et al., 2020). One of the problems that leaders are facing when bridging the digital divide is the funds to use to ensure that they can provide devices and internet access to the people. 

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Link for Digital Dive: Watch my Powtoon: Digital Divide_Ducker.pptx

 

Reference:

 

Eyrich, N. W., Andino, J. J., & Fessell, D. P. (2021). Bridging the digital divide to avoid leaving the most vulnerable behind. JAMA surgery, 156(8), 703-704. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamasurg.2021.1143

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Liu, J. (2021). Bridging digital divide amidst educational change for socially inclusive learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. Sage Open, 11(4), 21582440211060810. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/21582440211060810

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Nichols, B. H., Powers, J. R., & Musgrove, A. T. (2020). Teachers bridging the digital divide in rural schools with 1: 1 computing. The Rural Educator, 41(1), 61-76. https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9417-5271

 

Resta, P., & Laferrière, T. (2015). Digital equity and intercultural education.Education and Information Technologies, 20(4), 743-756. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10639-015-9419-z

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