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Digital Equity & Inclusion (Equity, Access, & the Digital Divide…
Digital Equity & Inclusion
Equity, Access, & the Digital Divide
Equity of Access
Reciprocal relationship between issues of equity & access
Historically, have been defined by economics, culture, & geography
When addressing equity of access, start w/ digital divide
Access is growing at increasing rates
In Middle East, 2639% increase in number of people w/ access to internet from 2000 to 2012
Latin America & Caribbean, 1310.8% increase in number of people w/ access to internet from 2000 to 2012
In Africa, 3606.7% increase in number of people w/ access to internet since 2000
North Amer. was smallest increase, still 135%
Learning institutions are feeling the most pressure w/ this increase
Competition to brick & mortar institutions
May exacerbate competitive, enrollment-driven dynamics of universities
Field of learning technology is at forefront of rise of internet & equity of access
This is an incredibly exciting time to be a part of a program like SPU's DEL program
Essential tech may drive the way we access & work w/ info to advance human learning
Tech in learning no longer an option; now a vital component
Tech & ability to access it freely now a fabric of everyday life
Digital Divide
As early as 1960s computer scientists & programmers concerned about universal access to computers
Term used to describe idea of equity of access
Historically, used to describe access to ICT & not focused only on learning tech
Learning tech field has also used term to describe access to learning tech
Early & mid 1990s, comm. techniques moved from analog to digital
Electronic mail became essential for communication
Mosaic & Netscape made the World Wide Web available
Highlighted those w/ access & those w/o
Problem was a global issue
Digital inclusion
Used by Bush admin. instead of "digital divide" b/c it fostered division
Digital divide term survives to this day
Lessons Learned
Leadership matters
Mid-level leadership is essential; help to identify barriers
Focus on learning
Ultimate focus should be on advancing human learning through equity of access; type of device may matter very little
Plan well, be flexible
In a changing world, our plans must change
Be viable & realistic
All plans need to be tailored to the environment; scale projects to the size of the need & the capabilities of the learning organization
More than just machines
Distributing tech is not enough; must have action plan w/ initiative
Open access
Learning organizations are embracing open access to information; providing open access may soon be the rule, not the exception
Planning matters
Pay attention to details of implementing project; ask difficult questions
Exponential impact
Projects that provide equity of access may have significant multiplier effect; if a student is provided with access to device & internet, entire family benefits
Issues in Equity & Access
W/ access to learning tech, two areas to consider
Access to information
Increased access to info has a positive impact on learning
Internet has democratized how we access info
Open educational resources (OER) may hold key to future access to info
Edu. materials created by individuals & groups & freely shared online to others
Term & a movement
UNESCO has helped to formally define OERs
Synonymous w/ term Open CourseWare (OCW)
Many authors of OERs offer work under Creative Commons license
Licenses protect intellectual property & creators wishes for material
Eliminating need for physical proximity to library has opened new avenues for info
Access to devices
Argument about if access to devices has been positive impact on learning
Long held that devices matter less than manner in which they're used
In terms of presenting content, it didn't matter
Good instruction = good instruction
Affordances of technology
The "truck" or device does matter
Benefit or weakness tech brings to a learning task
Goal is to leverage strengths, avoid weaknesses
David Jonassen
Argued that tech needs to be a tool for generating knowledge, not just delivering content
Advances have helped us move to more lightweight mobile computing
Study on technology-based learning (TBL)
Increased access to TBL would increase net positives for learning
Current Issues
Tools & access to info have profound impact on life
In schools people lacking equity of access may find level playing field
School leaders have long recognized importance of access of tools & info
We've tried to get tech tools in hands of learners
Been too expensive & infrastructure not been able to support it
W/ growth of digital media has come recognition of promoting educational equity
Rise of OERs & digital libraries have provided free access
We have both tools & public support to make one-to one computing a reality in schools
We can bridge digital divide if we institutionalize equity of access and legislate it
Diversity & Inclusion in the Learning Enterprise
Invisible Policymakers
Policy Considerations
For supporting teachers
For culturally relevant learning
For working w/ learning technology vendors
For general technology
More inclusive model than just government/admin. officials
Technology designers and software developers are often invisible
Decisions are informed by culture
Functional features and interface metaphors are culturally driven
Staff ethnicity, gender, and identity dimensions should be considered
Cultural assumptions of developers drive design
Policymaking
History of policymaking has focused on providing equitable access to learning tech
Establish vision that incorporates digital technologies, diversity, and educational enterprise
Policy also needs to address pedagogical practices & assess. of teacher efficacy
Teacher professional development is critical
Policymakers must learn about new tech innovations & inclusive practices
recognize tech potential for mitigating barriers
Leverage student and educator diversity
Influence of Culture on Digital Technologies
Culture plays critical role in new knowledge dev.
Learner's experience of tech influenced by cultural assumptions that influenced tech
Educators partner learning tech. and student cultural affordances to deepen engagement
Critical area is policymaker & influence of policymaking
Tech designers need deeper awareness of creating tech that supports diversity of cultural values & practices
Framework for developing inclusive learning tech
Culture-based model
Developing tech that is malleable & accessible in supporting diversity
Learner can engage w/ objects that reflect personal experiences, identity, & perspectives
Early tech design was grounded within a homogenous cultural context
Tech development industries are diversifying staff now
Digital Technologies & Learning Spaces
Digital tech dictates places we associate w/ learning
Create new & disruptive learning spaces
Educators challenged to reimagine "classroom"
Virtual learning spaces
How can digital learning spaces be more equitable?
Expand notion of what constitutes learning spaces
Spaces provide ways for learners to connect & create patterns
Collaboration across culture, geography, & learning styles
Variety & flexibility of tech offers users an experience w/ increased control over content
Teaching Diverse Students w/ Technology
By 2020 >40% of school-age children will be students of color in US
Important to disaggregate assumptions about various ethnic groups
Important to not generalize
Educators must address issues of equity in their teaching styles, pedagogies, & materials
Educators need to engage & teach students who backgrounds diverge from assumed norms
Need tools & training for inquiring into cultures, groups, & individuals represented in class
Must focus on how digital tech can support teaching practices & curr. design
Use digital tech as ally in teaching
Have students create culturally relevant artifacts or learning examples
Use design methodology to determine student learning & cultural needs
Digital natives expect flexible, accessible tech
Students use tech throughout day, but do not view tech as learning tool
We must assure it's accessible in the ways they expect
On-demand access & flexibility to customize
Students must become curators rather than gatherers
Encourage students to identify personally relevant content & knowledge examples
Help students hone explorer skills
Expose students to diverse cultural perspectives & deeper engagement in learning