Distance learning is a reality that arose unexpectedly as a necessity for public health and safety. As such, students have experienced a shift in the way they receive educational opportunities. Educators across the globe have been scrambling to rework their entire mode of instruction, from a face to face model to one that often relies on technology. In the region in which I serve students, the digital divide has become increasingly apparent. Schools may provide each student with a computing device but do not have the infrastructure to ensure there is universal access to reliable internet. Other students may have internet access but the only devices with which they can access digital content may be smartphones and/or gaming platforms. It is important that we become aware of the challenges our students face, and then adjust accordingly to meet the needs of the families we serve. The good news is, by building our awareness, we can take steps to increase educational access to all of our students.
What Questions Are You Asking?
While the aforementioned examples of the digital divide are disheartening, the challenge is much more complex. Many technology surveys may ask families if they have internet access, and what device(s) are in the home. But the answers can be deceiving. A family may have internet access, but perhaps it is not reliable. Additionally, it is not uncommon for internet companies to set limits on data. Furthermore, have we considered the number of family members who may wish to access the device(s) simultaneously? As you assess the needs of your school community, be sure to ask questions that shed light on these potential challenges.
The Distance Divide Compounds the Challenges
A colleague of mine has reliable internet and multiple devices in the home, but is struggling to support her own children with distance learning. In working from home as a result of a shelter in place order, this educator uses two computers, one for video meetings and another to take notes on collaborative digital documents. This leaves one additional computer, that all of her children are to share.
I live in a household with a number of computing devices. After all, my husband and I are EdTech coaches. This being said, we are now both working from home. While we have plenty of computers to distribute amongst the four children in our house under the age of 18, other challenges have emerged. In the event that both my husband and I are on a video meeting, we are unavailable to answer questions from our children about the work assigned to them by educators.
Another layer to this challenge is the fact that there are a number of parents who continue to leave the home for work (emergency personnel, healthcare, etc.). These are not merely digital, but also “distance” challenges, students by necessity are at a distance from the presence of an adult available to support their education during typical school times.
Be Aware, Encourage Variability
We cannot control the environments and circumstances our students face when they are learning in their homes. However, we can design educational opportunities that are flexible and fluid. We honor our students and their families when we allow for personalization of at home learning. This does not mean we give ourselves more work to do, it means we redesign our options for students.
- Ditch Those Schedules: Be careful about daily schedule recommendations for your students. Encourage students to set a schedule that works best for them. Rather than suggesting specific times of the day for particular activities, provide a time span instead. (i.e. 20 minutes of independent reading vs. 8:00-8:20 am)
2. Provide Choice: Allow students to demonstrate learning according to digital or analog means. While you may be using a digital platform to direct students to educational activities, encourage students to engage in learning opportunities that are also offline. This offline activity can be documented via a picture on a phone which can then be uploaded to your digital platform. This helps to ensure that all students in a household do not need to be on a device simultaneously.
3. Connect with Students via Office Hours: Provide options for the times when students can connect with you via video meeting. Some students may be babysitting younger siblings throughout the day and would prefer an evening time slot. Vary the options, as well as the platforms. Be available to students via email as well as video calls. Set up a flipgrid specifically for students to ask questions that you can answer when you are able. Be flexible. This is uncharted territory. But the most important thing is that we remain available for students. That we keep the connections.
Thank you for all you do.