While the homework gap has been around for some time, the massive virtual learning spurred by the COVID-19 pandemic shed a bright light on the challenge of ensuring that all students, regardless of geographic location or socioeconomic status, have access to appropriate learning devices and reliable high-speed Internet access.
During a CoSN 2023 session, edtech stakeholders came together to discuss innovative strategies to close the homework gap and how schools, at the local, district and state levels, can ensure connectivity at home for all students.
“During the pandemic, the [homework gap] it really gained awareness to a much broader audience, because all students and families were impacted by the need to go online just to be at school for the day,” said Michael Flood, SVP and GM, Public Sector at Kajeet.
During the panel discussion, a number of common themes emerged as strategies for school leaders to try as they seek to implement policies and practices designed to close the homework gap and bring connectivity to their school communities.
Set high goals when it comes to making sure every student has a suitable device that connects to high-speed Internet anytime, anywhere. Every student should have a device and a high-speed Internet connection anytime, anywhere. Rural areas are especially in need, said John Parker, vice president of data science and research at Innive Inc.
