Watch Part II of IIA Co-Chair Kim Keenan and Amina Fazlullah, Digital Equity Counsel at Common Sense Media, discussing what’s next for tackling the “Homework Gap” that’s become an education void due to the pandemic.
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Kim Keenan and Amina Fazlullah Discuss Closing the K–12 Digital Divide – Part I
IIA Co-Chair Kim Keenan recently connected with Amina Fazlullah, Digital Equity Counsel at Common Sense Media, to learn more about Common Sense’s recent report with Boston Consulting Group, “Closing the K–12 Digital Divide in the Age of Distance Learning.”
IIA Highlights Gaps in Internet Connectivity for Students and Teachers
In a series of informative social media posts and graphics, IIA highlighted the connectivity disparity for millions of students and hundreds of thousands of teachers and illustrated just how important high-speed internet access is to the future of our education system.
It’s Time to Shore up the Universal Service Fund So It Can Live up to Its Name
Congress needs to create a solution that reflects how Americans actually use telecommunications services rather than how we once did.
Americans Are Voting for Broadband
For most of us, it’s hard to imagine having spent the last six months without access to reliable, high-speed broadband internet. But for at least 18 million Americans, that’s been their everyday reality – limited options for staying in touch with family and friends, lost work opportunities, no connectivity for distance learning and no way to benefit from telehealth visits.
POLL: 9 Out of 10 US Voters Support Congress Using Federal Funds to Bring Broadband to All, and 62% Want Congress to Act “Immediately” to Close the Digital Divide
Workers’ and students’ needs for high-speed internet viewed as most critical reasons to push toward universal broadband amidst the pandemic, according to IIA-Morning Consult survey
American Voters Want Congress to Take Action to Close the Digital Divide
The COVID-19 pandemic has moved much of our daily lives online, underscoring the need for fast, reliable, and universally accessible broadband for all. A recent poll by IIA and Morning Consult reiterates this increased reliance on high-speed internet and finds strong support among American voters for using Congressional authority to improve broadband access.
Research Peek of the Week: Educators Think Technology and Increased Individualized Instruction Will Be Critical for Future Students
New research from the EdTech Evidence Exchange and the University of Virginia shows an overwhelming majority of teachers expect students will need increased levels of individualized instruction to counter the negative impacts of the COVID-19 learning experience and that technology will play a larger role in improving educational outcomes.
Creation of Innovation: Wearable Human Grasp Technology Reduces Force Needed to Operate Tools
Developed by NASA and General Motors, Robo-Glove technology allows individuals with jobs that require consistent or repetitive grasping to perform operations and use tools for extended periods of time without pain or muscle discomfort.
Research Peek of the Week: Average U.S. Internet Speeds Rise During COVID-19 Pandemic
Despite the surge in bandwidth demand, a new report by WhistleOut found that average U.S. internet speeds saw significant increases after the pandemic started (mid-March to early July 2020) compared to prior to the outbreak (mid-January to mid-March 2020) — from 84.9 Mbps to 94.6 Mbps.
Creation of Innovation: Virginia Mobile Hotspot Program Provides Internet Access to Underserved Students and Families
The Wireless on Wheels program in Louisa County, Virginia brings internet connectivity to underserved students and families via a small fleet of solar-powered hotspots on trailers stationed at public schools, parking lots, and other strategic locations throughout the county.
IIA’s Bruce Mehlman and CNET’s Roger Cheng Discuss Closing the Digital Divide
In a recent Daily Charge podcast, CNET’s Roger Cheng and IIA’s Bruce Mehlman explore the the digital divide and some of the political, regulatory, and technical hurdles faced when trying to close the gap.