Author: By Dennis Gonzales

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Digital Equity 21

How 1:1 provides digital equity during COVID-19

COVID-19 has shed light on digital equity gaps across the nation--here's how one district's 1:1 program helped it prepare for online learning

By Dennis Gonzales

Digital equity, as defined by ISTE, involves “making sure students have equal access to technology like devices, software, and the internet, and that they have trained educators to help them navigate those tools.” But creating digital equity has historically been a challenge for many school districts – especially those with … Read More

Digital Equity 21

Did you know online learning can lead to equity?

Virtual learning opportunities break down the walls in our educational environment and help more students prepare for post-graduation success

By Jim Dachos

Until all students are treated equally and given access to similar educational resources, we have little chance of achieving equality in K-12 schools. Ultimately, students must have the tools and resources they need not only to graduate, but to be prepared for post-high school success. Related content: 5 things you … Read More

Digital Equity 21

Technology in rural schools: Addressing digital equity

Digital equity is a challenge across the nation, especially in rural schools--but efforts are underway to increase connectivity

By Eileen Belastock

The goal of digital equity is to ensure that all students have access to devices, high-speed internet, and opportunities to learn both in school and out. While digital equity is a challenge for all school districts, Dr. Beth Holland, CoSN’s digital equity and rural project director, points out that it … Read More

Digital Equity 21

3 ways to bring equity to STEM education

STEM education is essential even if students don't pursue STEM careers--here are some strategies to make it more accessible and equitable for all students

By David Tong is the Director of TGR EDU: Create

Progress for the STEM education movement must continue to improve, especially for students in underrepresented communities hard hit by COVID-19. We know that STEM-related education holds opportunities for students, but STEM learning must become more evenly distributed. It’s imperative that we address barriers to STEM education now so that students … Read More

Digital Equity 21

Why I’m optimistic about bridging the digital divide

The COVID-19 pandemic brought disparities front and center--but there is hope that we can close the digital divide among students

By Daniel J. W. Neal, chairman, CEO & founder, Kajeet

Preparing for the unexpected is easier said than done – especially when it comes to education. Long-term school closures caused by a global pandemic were certainly not at the top of educators’ priority lists at this time last year. While administrators have gone above and beyond to address students’, parents’ … Read More

Digital Equity 21

4 strategies to close the digital equity gap

The digital equity gap is wider than many realize—but there are ways to close it

By Eileen Belastock

According to Davis, Fuller, Jackson, Pittman, and Sweet (2007), the definition of digital equity is “equal access and opportunity to digital tools, resources, and services to support an increase in digital knowledge, awareness, and skills.” With that in mind, school leaders are working to strategically close the digital equity gap. … Read More

Digital Equity 21

How equity strategies improve student outcomes

Looking at data from students and teachers can help pinpoint effective learning solutions and promote equity

By Robert Low

Discussing and developing equity strategies can lead to significant improvements in student performance, and as Dr. Tyrone Howard of UCLA explained during a recent edWebinar, starting the process by looking at data on both students and teachers is a crucial first step toward mutual understanding and effective solutions. Dr. Howard, … Read More

Cybersecurity

4 ways to prioritize cybersecurity education in schools

Strengthening cybersecurity education means transforming schools’ mindsets as quickly as possible

By Thomas Russell, M.Ed.

What would happen if we didn’t have the millions of cybersecurity professionals needed to fight hackers and prevent cyberattacks? Unfortunately, that’s not a hypothetical question. Data suggests that, by 2021, there will be a deficit of 3.5 million cybersecurity professionals globally and 300,000 in the U.S. alone. Without these workers–and … Read More

Cybersecurity

Why cybersecurity experts are concerned about remote learning

Teaching, learning, and working remotely raises many cybersecurity issues that K-12 leaders should be aware of as online learning continues.

By Dennis Pierce, Contributing Writer, eSchool News

Recently, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) warned schools about an increase in ransomware attacks during the pandemic, with attackers exploiting Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) connections that allow school employees to log in to district servers remotely. While the FBI’s alert is worrisome in its own right, it’s not the … Read More