Classroom

Ed Tech Access and Competency Make Virtual Learning Options Equitable

Giving students the opportunity to learn online isn’t enough. Schools must provide devices, internet access and an understanding of how to use the technologies.

Jason Trinh

Jason Trinh is an award-winning educator from Toronto. He shares his passion for creativity, technology and equity as a speaker, author and creator.

A mandate in Ontario, Canada, requires all school districts in the province to provide a virtual learning option to K–12 students for the 2021-2022 school year. Over the summer, families were asked whether they wanted their students to learn virtually or in person. Many districts sent surveys as late as they reasonably could (while still having enough time to prepare), to ensure that parents had the most up-to-date information when deciding.

But many factors go into a family’s decision to learn virtually or in person. For example, some students have found their niche in online learning, while for others the pandemic proved their need to learn in a classroom. A more logistical challenge for many K–12 students, though, is digital equity.

Students should be able to choose their learning environments based on the former consideration, although many are forced to pick based on the latter. When students don’t have access to devices and the internet, or competency using educational technology, it may feel as though the choice is being made for them.

Digital Equity Relies on Students’ Access to Online Learning

The Toronto District School Board took steps to address the digital inequities that would prevent its students from learning virtually. The district provided families with tablets or Chromebooks. Then it prioritized getting internet access to students without it, because many lessons and the programs that support them need to happen online. The district also deployed hotspots to help students connect.

As a result, students who want to continue online learning this school year will have the tools to do so. In an online environment, not having the necessary technology is the equivalent of locking students out of the building in an in-person setting.

Digital Equity Requires Students’ Competence Using Technology

Along with having the devices, students must know how to use them. School districts need to provide support to students, families and educators. Without knowing how to use the device, access the programs or get online, virtual learning — and the device itself — becomes useless.

While many users are more fluent in educational technology after the past 18 months of online learning, schools should set up a way to communicate and troubleshoot with families having tech problems at home. It’s not enough to try to solve problems with using a device through the device itself. There must be other ways for schools to initiate that conversation with parents and families.

Educators’ Competency with Tech Supports Digital Equity

Educators must also be well versed in how the technology works. This is necessary not just for equity in virtual and hybrid learning environments, but also for blended learning activities in the classroom. Using devices and apps as a substitute in an activity for which pen and paper would suffice is not a meaningful use of the technology.

Educators should understand how to use the device and the applications on it to improve the classroom experience. Inequities can develop when educators don’t know how to properly use educational technology in the classroom: Students across classrooms, grade levels and districts aren’t exposed to the same experiences and don’t have the opportunity to learn the same skills as their peers.

Districts should ensure teachers also have adequate technological professional development so that devices don’t lose their value and become nothing more than shiny new toys.

This article is part of the “ConnectIT: Bridging the Gap Between Education and Technology” series. Please join the discussion on Twitter by using the #ConnectIT hashtag.

[title]Connect IT: Bridging the Gap Between Education and Technology