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A guide to digital inclusion in education

In today’s digital economy, access to technology equals access to opportunity. Digital inclusion in education is the effort to ensure students of all socioeconomic backgrounds, technological proficiency or other limitations have equal access to technologies that help them learn.

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Why is digital inclusion important?

70%

of teachers assign homework that requires internet access.1

24%

of teens in lower-income households say they often or sometimes are not able to complete homework because they lack a reliable computer or internet access.2

77%

of today’s jobs are characterized by a medium-to-high level of digitalization—the need for digital skills and tools to complete work.3

5 key elements of digital inclusion in education

1.

Equitable access

The foundation of digital inclusivity is equitable access to information and communication technologies (ICTs) and reliable high-speed internet.

2.

Connected devices

Devices such as laptops, tablets, smartphones and others can help students to learn from virtually anywhere.

3.

Digital literacy training

Essential skills such as using productivity tools, conducting online research and digital citizenship are necessary for success in the modern workforce and society.

4.

Support

Students with robust support and training benefit from technology, such as workshops, tutorials and tech support.

5.

Accessibility

Campuses need to ensure all learning resources are accessible to students, including those with disability challenges and diverse learning needs. Digital content should be compatible with screen readers and captions and transcripts are provided for multimedia resources.


How network architecture can build digital inclusion

Network resources icon   Reliable network

Reliable high-speed internet is essential for communicating and sharing information. A well-connected campus expands students’ ability to learn and communicate. High-speed internet connection for every student helps level the playing field.

Home wifi icon   Last-mile connectivity

Expanding the reach of broadband and wireless technologies to rural and other underserved communities is a critical step in building digital inclusivity. Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) is an innovative way to provide internet service by using wireless links between fixed points —such as a cell tower and an antenna located at an individual location—instead of running fiber or cable lines. Once a receiver accesses the wireless signal, it can then be connected to a router to provide wired or Wi-Fi access within a building, campus, or temporary worksite, depending on a community’s needs. This can create a cost-effective solution for expanding internet access in rural areas.

Signal broadcast   Private 5G for campuses

A private 5G network provides high-speed connectivity for organizations and educational institutions. Whether indoors or outdoors, private 5G networks can bring a custom-tailored 5G experience where high-speed, high-capacity, low-latency connectivity is crucial.

IoT icon   Collaboration software for communication

For remote or hybrid learners, high-quality collaboration software is critical to stay engaged. Video conferencing should offer HD-quality video, chat features, whiteboard capabilities, closed captioning, transcription and tools to capture discussion points and create highlights.

Virtual Reality icon   Immersive learning technologies

Leveraging immersive technologies like online simulations and virtual reality could facilitate active learning for students and various learning styles.

Boost digital inclusivity with the right technology and Verizon

Verizon is committed to digital inclusion in education.

Learn more about how our education solutions can help you build a digitally inclusive campus - from augmented reality (AR) experiences, to voice and collaboration technologies that support communication, and hotspots that can connect under-resourced communities.

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  • The author of this content is a paid contributor for Verizon.
     

    1 EducationWeek, Acting FCC Chair: The ‘Homework Gap’ Is an ‘Especially Cruel’ Reality During the Pandemic, March 2021.

    2 Pew Research Center, How Teens Navigate School During Covid-19, June 2022.

    3 Brookings, As the digitalization of work expands, place-based solutions can bridge the gaps, February 2023. See figure 1.

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