This comprehensive toolkit equips Louisiana's higher education institutions with a structured approach to bridging the digital divide, both on campus and in surrounding communities.
Introduction to the Toolkit
The digital divide disproportionately impacts underserved and marginalized communities, creating barriers to education, employment, and overall quality of life. In Louisiana, many residents lack access to robust internet, appropriate devices, or the digital skills necessary to fully participate in today's digital society. As colleges and universities strive to provide comprehensive education and foster community development, closing this gap becomes essential for ensuring equal access and opportunities. The digital divide represents an issue of fairness - making certain that everyone, regardless of background or circumstances, has the tools, resources, and skills needed to succeed in our increasingly digital world.
The Board of Regents has embraced an ambitious attainment goal, aiming for 60% of all working-age adults (ages 25-64) in Louisiana to hold a degree or high-value credential by 2030. Achieving this goal requires addressing the digital divide head-on, as reliable internet access, appropriate devices, and necessary digital skills are critical for educational success.
The following examples illustrate how the digital divide profoundly affects various members of academic and local communities:
- Brianna, a first-generation student from Shreveport, lacks foundational digital skills and cannot afford a laptop, relying solely on a smartphone. This makes it difficult for her to navigate online learning platforms, complete assignments, and engage fully in virtual classrooms, hindering her educational progress and academic performance.
- Professor Davis, a faculty member from Houma, struggles with inadequate internet access at her rural home, limiting her ability to conduct virtual classes, access online resources, and communicate with students. This affects the quality of the education she can provide and severely hampers her capacity to work remotely when necessary, such as in the aftermath of a hurricane or other emergencies.
- Clarence, a college maintenance worker with a disability from Natchitoches, faces significant challenges due to inadequate access to adaptive technologies both at work and at home. He sometimes struggles with how to use digital tools. This affects his job performance, making it challenging to complete required online training, log his hours in the HR system, and access important online services. At home, the absence of adaptive technology further limits his ability to access essential services, stay informed, and connect with others online.
- Evelyn, an alumna from Lafayette, at age 72 has limited digital skills and struggles with modern devices. This makes accessing telehealth services, connecting with family online, and participating in social media challenging. Her digital literacy gaps create obstacles to discovering lifelong learning opportunities and engaging with alumni resources from her alma mater, potentially limiting her educational and social engagement.
By tackling these disparities, institutions can support their diverse populations, foster environments where all can thrive, and unlock the full potential of all students, faculty, staff, and community members. This toolkit provides a structured approach for higher education institutions to implement sustainable and holistic digital opportunity initiatives, both on-campus and in surrounding communities. It also includes valuable resources to assist in the development and implementation of these initiatives, leveling the playing field and ensuring that everyone has the resources and skills needed to succeed in the digital age.
