Advancing Digital Opportunity: A Higher Education Toolkit

Questions to Consider

Some questions to consider while designing sustainable and holistic strategies include:

Leadership and Vision:

• How can institutional leadership and a clear vision be established to garner support and commitment for holistic digital opportunity strategies?
• Who is the responsible individual or committee on your campus to continue to coordinate and address these issues now as well as in the future? 

Holistic Initiatives:

• How can you develop initiatives that are holistic and sustainable?
• How can we collectively design comprehensive digital opportunity initiatives that address internet access, device availability, and digital skills development in an integrated manner?

Internet Access:

• How can we both improve access to reliable internet and effectively communicate about affordable or free internet service programs for stakeholders, both on and off campus?

Device Access:

• What measures can we implement to ensure widespread access to appropriate devices that meet the academic and professional needs of all stakeholders?

Digital Skills:

• What approaches can we take to assess, develop, and enhance the digital skills of our diverse stakeholder groups?

Digital Accessibility:

• Does your institution have a policy outlining responsibilities for ensuring that digital content (website, mobile applications, and electronic documents - including those used in instruction) is accessible to users with disabilities?
• Are they easily navigated and understood by a wide range of users, including those with visual, auditory, motor, or cognitive disabilities?

Digital Privacy and Internet Safety:

• How can we effectively educate and protect our stakeholders regarding digital privacy and online safety issues?

Program Development:

• What new digital opportunity initiatives should your institution develop, and which existing programs should be scaled up?

Staffing Needs:

• Are additional positions required to support these programs effectively? Do you need additional institutional positions to develop, implement, and sustain these programs?

Funding Needs:

• Where is funding needed to fully address barriers to digital opportunity?
• What role does affordability play for your institutional constituents in obtaining access to Internet/technology?

Funding Sources:

• What sources of funding are available for planning and implementing digital opportunity initiatives?

Stakeholder Targeting:

• Which stakeholders will these initiatives target?
• How will you alert/communicate those stakeholders to your resources/digital solutions?

Strategies for Institutions and Systems

In addressing the digital divide within higher education institutions, designing comprehensive system-level and institutional strategies is essential. These strategies serve as the backbone for developing sustainable programs that foster digital opportunity across campus and within surrounding communities. By securing leadership buy-in, updating policies and curricula, enhancing professional development practices, and aligning student support services, institutions and systems can integrate digital opportunity into their core missions. This proactive approach ensures that all members of the higher education community — students, faculty, and staff — and the communities surrounding the institution are equipped with the necessary tools and support to thrive in an increasingly digital world.

Develop Holistic and Sustainable Initiatives

• Secure buy-in and leadership from administrators to integrate digital opportunity across all institutional departments.
• Review and update policies to incorporate digital divide issues.
• Assess and enhance training practices and resources to ensure accessible content and inclusive pedagogy.
• Ensure student support services cater to diverse learning needs.
• Develop long-term strategies integrating digital opportunity into policies, practices, and culture.

Identify Opportunities for New Initiatives & Expand Successful Programs

• Develop or expand digital opportunity initiatives informed by the data and gaps identified during the research stage.
• Evaluate existing programs that have shown promise and explore opportunities for scaling them up to reach a wider audience.

Assess Staffing Needs

• Evaluate the need for additional staff positions, such as digital opportunity coordinators, navigators, technology trainers, and support staff, to develop, implement, and sustain digital opportunity programs.
• Design and implement professional development opportunities to ensure that all faculty have the necessary digital skills for instruction and staff have the foundational and advanced digital skills needed for their jobs.

Identify Funding Needs

• Determine specific areas where funding is needed to address digital opportunity barriers, considering costs for technology access, infrastructure, training programs, and ongoing support.

Explore Funding Sources

• Identify potential funding sources, such as governmental grants, private sector partnerships, philanthropic organizations, and internal resource reallocation.

Strategies for Stakeholder-Specific Initiatives

• Develop tailored strategies for students, faculty, staff, and community members, including digital navigator programs, digital skills assessments and training, access to technology resources, community partnerships, and awareness campaigns. See the sections below for more on these stakeholder-centric strategies.

Strategies for Students

Ensuring students have equitable access to digital resources and skills is crucial for their academic success, future career readiness, and effective participation in an increasingly digital society. By addressing the key areas of internet access, device availability, digital skills development, accessibility, and online safety, institutions can create an inclusive digital environment that supports all students.

The following strategies, while not exhaustive, aim to close the digital divide among students, supporting learners from all backgrounds to effectively use technology for academic work, future jobs, and everyday life.

Access to Internet

• Collaborate with local internet service providers to negotiate discounted or subsidized internet access for students.
• Establish on-campus Wi-Fi hotspots in areas where students congregate, such as libraries, student centers, and common areas.
• Provide mobile hotspot devices for loan to students without reliable internet access at home.

Device Access

• Implement a device loan program that provides laptops or tablets to students on a short-term or long-term basis.
• Partner with technology companies or nonprofits to secure donations or discounts on new or refurbished devices for students in need.
• Establish computer labs or resource centers equipped with computers and printing facilities for students to use.
• Provide dedicated technical support services for students, offering assistance with device issues, software, and troubleshooting to ensure effective use of technology for academic work, career preparation, and everyday digital tasks.

Digital Skills

• Offer digital skills workshops and training sessions to enhance students' skills in using technology tools and applications.
• Leverage currently available resources, such as the Northstar Digital Literacy platform, which includes foundational digital skills assessments, self-paced learning modules, and curricula. Note: The Board of Regents and LOUIS Libraries provide access to all LOUIS-member institutions.
• Incorporate or embed digital skills development into existing academic courses and programs across disciplines.
• Provide accessible online resources and tutorials covering basic and advanced digital skills topics.

Digital Accessibility

• Ensure that all digital content and learning materials are accessible to students with disabilities, following accessibility standards such as the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) international standard including WCAG 2.
• Provide assistive technologies and accommodations to students with disabilities to support their access to digital resources and tools.
• Train faculty and staff in creating accessible content and designing inclusive learning experiences for all students.

Digital Privacy and Internet Safety

• Educate students on best practices for protecting their privacy and being safe online, whether on campus or off campus.
• Offer workshops or seminars on digital citizenship and responsible use of technology, emphasizing the importance of ethical behavior and respect for privacy rights.
• Identify common knowledge gaps in order to provide targeted outreach efforts.

Special considerations for adult learners enrolled in WorkReadyU

WorkReadyU (WRU) is the Adult Education program provided by LCTCS in the community and technical colleges, as well as some community-based organizations.

• The majority of the strategies described above for students are also applicable to Adult Education students. The delineating factor for WRU students is that, because they are non-tuition-paying students, they may not have access to some services paid for by fees included in college tuition (e.g., technology fees). The first step in addressing some potential gaps in services is to provide similar access as tuition paying students by implementing a process by which WRU students can obtain college email addresses and ID cards, and be identifiable as students in a given institution in its data system (LCTCS’s WorkReadyU Student Information System is independent from the community colleges’ Banner System). 
• Most community-based WRU Programs (churches, community centers, libraries) cannot offer the same services as community-college-based WRU programs. It is imperative that these programs partner with local community colleges to address the existing digital access gaps.
• It is imperative for WRU students that all digital access services be inexpensive or free. Because WRU students do not pay tuition (fees), they may have limited access to campus services, therefore no access to services not available within the WRU program. Cost is the most prevalent barrier for WRU students, so the availability of free services is paramount for participation.
• Each Adult Education program is unique in its ability to provide digital access services to its students. Every program must take inventory on its capacity to service each of the highlighted digital access categories, then work with its institution (or partner institution) and flowthrough entity (LCTCS) to address the existing gaps.

Strategies for Faculty

Higher education leaders need to ensure that faculty members are equipped with the necessary tools and skills to deliver high-quality teaching and research. By implementing some of the strategies outlined below, institutions not only enhance faculty capabilities but also contribute significantly to bridging the digital divide within the campus community and beyond. These efforts are pivotal in cultivating a supportive ecosystem where faculty - and students - can thrive and innovate in an increasingly digital landscape.

Access to Internet

• Ensure that faculty offices, classrooms, and other workspaces have reliable and high-speed internet connectivity.
• Partner with local internet service providers to offer discounted internet access plans for faculty, including remote and adjunct instructors.
• If appropriate, provide faculty and staff without internet access at home a hotspot or MiFi device to be able to work remotely if needed (university closures/weather events).

Device Access

• Establish technology replacement plans/policies to ensure that faculty have access to up-to-date and functional devices for teaching and research. Identify the process, policy(ies), and responsible parties for ensuring faculty and staff receive upgrades. Consider what happens to the outdated technology: is there an opportunity to refurbish and provide as a student/community resource?
• Collaborate with vendors or technology partners to negotiate discounts on devices for faculty purchase.

Digital Skills

• Offer regularly scheduled professional development workshops and training sessions focused on enhancing faculty members' digital literacy and technology skills.
• Provide access to online resources, tutorials, and self-paced courses covering a range of digital tools and instructional technologies.
• Create communities of practice or peer mentorship programs for faculty to share expertise and learn from one another.
• Promote faculty buy-in for digital skills integration through discipline-specific workshops, curriculum support, and recognition of innovative teaching practices.

Digital Accessibility

• Provide resources and support for faculty to create accessible course materials, such as guidelines, templates, and accessibility checklists.
• Offer training and assistance in using accessible instructional technologies and tools to ensure that course content is inclusive and accessible to all students.
• Conduct regular accessibility audits of digital learning materials and platforms used by faculty, and provide feedback and recommendations for improvement.

Digital Privacy and Internet Safety

• Offer training and resources on cybersecurity best practices and data privacy regulations to help faculty protect their personal and professional information.

Strategies for Staff

Equipping staff with digital resources and the skills needed to use them effectively is crucial for both institutional success and personal empowerment. Many staff members come from populations affected by the digital divide, making these initiatives particularly impactful. By addressing key areas such as internet access, device availability, digital skills, accessibility, and online safety, institutions can empower their workforce both professionally and personally.

The following strategies, while not exhaustive, aim to bridge the digital divide among staff members, ensuring they can effectively leverage technology in their work roles and daily lives, contributing to overall job satisfaction and well-being.

Access to Internet

• Ensure that staff areas such as break rooms, administrative offices, and maintenance facilities have reliable and high-speed internet connectivity.
• Partner with local internet service providers to offer affordable internet service plans and communicate their availability to all staff.
• Offer mobile hotspot devices lending programs to staff members who may need internet access outside of campus premises.

Device Access

• Equip staff workstations and common areas with computers and printing facilities to ensure access to essential technology resources.
• Establish a technology replacement plan and/or policy to ensure access to up-to-date and functional devices.
• Promote information about how to obtain free or low-cost devices (new or refurbished) for personal use.
• Provide training and support for staff members in using technology tools and devices effectively for their job duties.

Digital Skills

• Offer regularly scheduled professional development opportunities and training sessions to enhance staff members' digital literacy and proficiency in using technology tools and software.
• Develop training programs for specific job functions or departments, focusing on skills relevant to different roles.
• Provide ongoing support and resources, such as online tutorials and help desks, to assist staff members in building and refining their digital skills over time.

Digital Accessibility

• Ensure that digital resources and tools used by staff members are accessible and inclusive, following accessibility standards and guidelines.
• Offer training and resources on creating accessible documents, presentations, and communications for staff members who produce content for internal use or external distribution.
• Implement accessibility features and accommodations in workplace technology systems and applications to support staff members with disabilities.

Digital Privacy and Internet Safety

• Provide staff members with training and resources on cybersecurity awareness and best practices for protecting sensitive information and personal data.
• Conduct regular security awareness campaigns and phishing simulations to educate staff members and reinforce cybersecurity practices.

Strategies for Community Members

Extending digital opportunity initiatives beyond campus is crucial for fostering economic development, job creation, and improving educational and health outcomes in surrounding communities. Higher education institutions can play a pivotal role in bridging the broader digital divide by leveraging their resources and partnerships.

The following strategies aim to enhance digital opportunity in the community, empowering residents with the tools and skills needed for education, career opportunities, and full participation in the digital economy.

Access to Internet

• Partner with local governments, community organizations, and internet service providers to expand broadband infrastructure and increase access to high-speed internet in underserved areas.
• Establish community Wi-Fi hotspots in public spaces such as libraries, parks, and community centers to provide free internet access to residents.
• Provide digital literacy training and support to community members to help them navigate online resources and take advantage of available connectivity options.

Device Access

• Organize device donation drives or refurbishment programs to provide computers, tablets, or smartphones to community members who lack access to these devices.
• Collaborate with technology companies, internet service providers, computer refurbishers, nonprofits, and the local business community to secure discounted or donated devices for distribution to underserved populations.
• Establish community technology centers or digital resource hubs where residents can access computers, devices, and software tools for educational and job-related purposes.

Digital Skills

• Offer community-based digital skills workshops, training programs, and adult education courses to enhance residents' proficiency in using technology tools and applications.
• Partner with local schools, libraries, and community organizations to provide technology training and support to learners of all ages, including seniors and non-native English speakers.
• Develop online resources and tutorials in multiple languages to make digital literacy resources accessible to diverse populations within the community.

Digital Accessibility

• Conduct accessibility assessments of public websites, online services, and digital content offered by local government agencies and community organizations to identify and address barriers for users with disabilities.
• Provide training and technical assistance to local businesses, nonprofits, and government agencies on creating accessible digital content and ensuring compliance with accessibility standards.
• Advocate for policies and initiatives at the local level to promote digital opportunity and accessibility, such as requiring accessibility features in public technology projects and procurement processes.

Digital Privacy and Internet Safety

• Partner with local law enforcement, the business community, cybersecurity experts, and community leaders to offer workshops, webinars, and educational resources on online privacy and safety for residents of all ages.
• Support community-based initiatives to increase awareness of privacy rights, digital ethics, and responsible online behavior among residents, particularly vulnerable populations such as children and seniors.