ACCESSING DIGITAL LEARNING

• What types of barriers might impede students’ opportunities to access digital learning?
  
  The biggest barrier was the one I witnessed this school year, i.e. internet access in the home.  Many of my students had cell phones and smart phones.  However, these devices are very limited in the types of documents they can open and what they can do.  In addition, there is a substantial cost for data usage. Unfortunately, these devices have become the basic vehicle to getting on the internet due to low upfront cost and monthly rates in addition to serving a safety purpose of connecting child to parent.

High up front cost of computer hardware and set-up fees impede internet access at home, where the real benefits of digital learning takes place.
         
For example:  a mobile phone may cost as low as $50/month to start  compared to a desktop of  $300.00, internet monthly service  $20 - $40 dollars and installation fee of $50+ dollars.

When I read the article on Mobile devices v Broadband, I realized when I am most effective in using the internet in my daily life; it is at home.   I have an Ipad and  it does not do what I need for it to do like my laptop or desktop.


• What might we do to eliminate such barriers?
  At the very least, we need to Wi-Fi municipalities and charge its citizens a low monthly fee ($5.00). Now the only investment is a computer. Right now we have to get Digital access in homes before we can focus on the Digital leaning in homes.