With the introduction of personal computer systems and subsequent technologies that make flow of information fast and efficient, a new age emerged that is often termed as 'digital age' or 'digital era'. During this age, the capabilities of individuals and societies to access and use multiple forms of convergent media content got enhanced manifold.…

COVID-19 caused widespread changes in how people worked. The education community was dramatically impacted. Teachers were forced to quickly pivot from teaching students in person on-campus to virtually online. Among the challenges educators faced were the inequity of technology access and unreliable internet options. The move to virtual…

This document provides information on how to leverage E-Rate data from Connect K-12 in policy conversations. E-Rate is the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) universal service program for schools and libraries, and national nonprofit Connected Nation has aggregated district, state and national E-Rate data in a free internet speed and…

Distance learning has always been of interest to researchers and scientists since its inception. In the current environment of the modern world, this type of training is becoming increasingly popular despite the large number of its opponents. Of course, it can not be called absolutely perfect, because it requires the availability of impeccable…

Achieving prosperity for all Americans could not be more urgent. Although the United States remains the most prosperous nation on earth, millions of citizens are losing faith in the American dream of upward mobility, and in American-style capitalism itself. This crisis of confidence has widened the divide afflicting American politics and cries out…

Moving suddenly from on-site, in class, traditional instruction to school closure (due to the COVID-19 pandemic) and reopening within 2 weeks in a virtual model was difficult, but we did it. Moreno Valley Community Adult School did not see COVID restrictions as an obstacle to instructional delivery, but as an impetus to pivot into the future and…

Many people and organizations worldwide are still trying to gain access to internet services (Buechner, 2020). The quest for the internet is ongoing, just as electricity was once a privilege when it was first invented and made available mainly to only scientists and engineers, then to people of financial means in primarily urban areas (Southern…

In spring 2022, the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Educational Technology (OET) committed to advancing digital equity through the Digital Equity Education Roundtables (DEER) Initiative. Through DEER, OET hosted a series of national conversations with leaders from community-based organizations, as well as families and learners furthest…

Many areas of the United States still fall short of digital equity and inclusion, defined as the ability of individuals to access and use information and communication technologies to participate fully in society, democracy, and the economy. This is especially true in Montana, the authors' rural state. Only 63.6 percent of Montana citizens have…

In the spring 2020 semester, Stephen F. Austin State University (SFASU), located in Nacogdoches, TX, transitioned face-to-face classes to online instruction because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The east Texas region suffers from some of the poorest internet availability in the nation. Thus, limitations exist for streaming lectures or having students…

In a world where toddlers seamlessly transition from building with blocks to swiping on screens, the intertwining of early childhood and technology becomes inevitable. Beyond the buzzes, beeps, and pixels lies an intricate landscape of norms, rights, and responsibilities, just as complex and crucial as those in the physical world. Digital literacy…

The 2020-21 Civil Rights Data Collection (CRDC) is a mandatory survey of all public school districts and schools serving students in preschool through grade 12 in the 50 states, Washington, D.C., and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and therefore includes data from 17,821 public school districts and 97,575 public schools. The CRDC measures student…

By mid-March 2020, with COVID-19 infection numbers rising across the United States, in Rapid City, South Dakota, the Career Learning Center of the Black Hills (CLCBH) staff moved quickly to respond to the new needs of CLCBH adult learners. Several areas of need quickly emerged: digital access and digital literacy, i.e., more access to computers…

New Zealand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade has funded the Commonwealth of Learning (COL) to implement a project to contribute to enhanced capacity and efficiency of Pacific education sectors through greater use of innovative delivery mechanisms and technology. This report provides an improved mentorship model for the capacity development…

For many Americans across racial groups, income tiers, and geographic regions, differences in access to internet connectivity and technology resources -- also known as the "digital divide" -- remains a critical barrier for many students and families, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Challenges with digital access has translated…