Schools across the nation are closing in an effort to stop the spread of COVID-19 and in the scramble to provide at-home learning, a major problem has risen to the forefront: millions of American students don’t have reliable access to the internet.
According to recent federal data, approximately 14 percent of U.S. families with school-age children lack high-speed internet. Most of those families are low-income or live in rural areas. While there are plenty of best practice guides availabe for online learning, strategies for bridging the digital divide are scarce.
We asked the MindShift community to share how they’re addressing the issue and what strategies, tips or activities might they have to do distance learning with students who only have access to cellphones and limited data or internet.
Call Regularly
During this time of distance learning, students may feel isolated or lonely. Contacting them as often as you can — by email, comments on their work or phone — can make a huge difference, especially for those students without internet access. When in doubt over-communicate, but also maintain boundaries to avoid burnout.
Suggest Free Internet Offers But Be Mindful of Limitations
Many providers are also waiving late fees for existing customers and increasing data caps for mobile hotspots. But to gain access restrictions may apply. For example, to qualify for Comcast Internet Essentials program, which provides affordable Internet ($9.95/month) families must meet these criteria:
- Eligibility for public assistance programs such as the National School Lunch Program
- No outstanding debt to Comcast that is less than a year old
- Live in an area where Comcast Internet service is available
- Be a new customer
Seek Out Hotspots But Don’t Rely On Them
Although local libraries may be closed, their routers are likely still on. We regularly use our library’s wifi from outside when it’s closed.
-Lisa Vreman
Additionally, more and more states are developing public Wi-Fi hotspots in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Check-in via Google Forms
You can also use a Google Form to ask students how they’re feeling and what support they need to succeed.
Make Transcripts Using Speech-to-Text Features
There are also other platforms and services like Zoom that transcribe video sessions. Whichever you choose, just make sure to review content before sharing for typos and grammatical errors.
Avoid Harsh Punishments
In the upcoming months and years, students will need a lot of support. Even with major internet providers offering assistance to low-income families, some families still face hurdles to getting online. Some students may struggle to keep up and get the work done. Assignments may take twice as long to complete. But this doesn’t mean school isn’t a priority for those students. As much as possible, try to avoid harsh grades or punishments, offer several options for completing an assignment and be adaptable.
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