In this digital age, more and more school districts are using technology to supplement learning. While there are many benefits, in the many districts that have high numbers of students without internet access at home, reliance on technology for learning can put these students at a disadvantage.

As a result, some districts are trying to remedy the problem by figuring out ways to provide its community with more broadband internet access but one expert says more schools need to take on the task of bridging the technical divide.

In some school districts across the country, major efforts are being made to ensure that all students can have access to internet. In the Coachella Valley Unified School District, for example, the superintendent made it his goal to turn the district's school buses into moving Wi-Fi zones. 

However, according to Michael Flood, vice president of strategy at Bethesda, Md.-based wireless provider kajeet, "while a few leading schools have already begun bridging [the technology gap], those that have done so tend to be the 'outliers' and don’t necessarily represent the larger population of K-12 institutions in the U.S.," according to eSchoolNews.com.

Indeed, according to the FCC'S 2015 Broadband Progress Report, "a digital divide persists between urban and non-urban parts of the country." 17 percent of Americans "live in areas unserved by...broadband or higher service," the report said, according to the article.

Flood told eSchoolNews that local districts must assume the role of meeting student needs and ensuring its students are not facing learning disadvantages because of a lack of technology.

"For starters, Flood says districts need a cohesive digital strategy that has the buy-in of the district’s senior leadership team," the article said.

He also insisted that districts have a strong on-campus network that supports every student device, and that students must be equipped with the appropriate devices whether it be school-funded or through a BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) initiative. 

Read the full story here and comment below.

Article by Nicole Gorman, Education World Contributor

05/13/2015