"Digital equity is a condition in which all individuals and communities have the information technology capacity needed for full participation in our society, democracy, and economy. Digital equity is necessary for civic and cultural participation, employment, lifelong learning, and access to essential services." - National Digital Inclusion Alliance (https://www.digitalinclusion.org/definitions/)
DIGITAL ACCESS: Having the use of hardware, internet, and the programming necessary to engage in desired digital activities
DIGITAL LITERACY: The ability to interact productively, critically, and ethically on and across screens
DIGITAL CITIZENSHIP: Using digital spaces to civically engage in the world and accomplish desired tasks
Double Jeopardy Digital Inequities
When instructors are not comfortable with their own digital literacy skills and do not use technology in their classrooms, their students do not get the benefits of learning and integrating technology into their coursework, putting the students' digital equity further behind their peers who do have exposure to technology. Because both faculty and students are impacted, McLay & Reyes (2019) call this "double jeopardy digital inequities."
Large Group Discussion: How have you seen double jeopardy inequities play out in higher education?
The 5 A's of Digital Access - Sieck et al., 2021
- Availability - software, hardware, programs, and internet are available to students
- Affordability - students can afford the hardware, the programs, and the internet needed to engage in all school activities
- Accessibility - students can both get onto internet and programs, and know how to use the programs, hardware, and internet when they do get on
- Accommodation - programs, software, class expectations, etc. are designed for all students including language, sensory, and other needs
- Acceptability - both students AND faculty accept and promote use of technology in the classroom or other school functions
Problem Solving!
What are different ways to improve these "As" for students??
Gupta, S. (2023, January 27). Gen Z says school is not equipping them with the skills they need to survive in a digital world. Fast Government. https://www.fastcompany.com/90839901/dell-study-gen-z-success-in-digital-world
McLay, K. F., & Reyes, V. C. (2019). Identity and digital equity: Reflections on a university educational technology course. Australasian Journal of Educational Technology, 35(6), 15–29. https://doi.org/10.14742/ajet.5552
Sieck, C. J., Rastetter, M., Hefner, J. L., Glover, A. R., Magaña, C., Gray, D. M. I., Joseph, J. J., Panchal, B., & Olayiwola, J. N. (2021). The Five A’s of Access for TechQuity. Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved, 32(2), 290–299. https://doi.org/10.1353/hpu.2021.0064
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