Advancing Digital Opportunity: A Higher Education Toolkit

Questions to Consider

Some questions to consider during the asset mapping stage include:

• What existing resources and services are available either on campus or through community partners to address each issue and for each stakeholder? 
• Who is already doing this work? Consider that much of this work is done in silos or might not be advertised widely.
• Who is leading this work and do they have the ability to coordinate campus efforts collectively or individually? Consider who you are including in the leadership of this work and where the resources live at your institution or within your community.

Internet Access

• Where can stakeholders find free internet access on campus?
• Does your institution lend Wi-Fi hotspots to students? Faculty and staff?
• Where can stakeholders find free internet access off campus?
• Are there any community organizations or institutions that lend Wi-Fi hotspots?
• Who are the Internet Service Providers (ISPs)? Do they have any affordable internet plans?

Device Access

• Where can stakeholders find publicly available computer labs both on campus and off campus? 
• When are these labs open?
• Are campus computer labs open to the public? 
• Does your institution lend laptops (and peripherals) to students? Faculty and staff?
• Which institutional unit manages this program? Who is responsible for purchasing devices?
• Are there enough devices to support the need?
• What maintenance is required to keep this resource in good condition? Who is responsible for this maintenance? 
• Are there any policies that need to be established or updated for purchasing, maintaining, replacing, and managing these resources?
• Are there any other community organizations or institutions that lend laptops?
• Where can stakeholders access a free or low-cost laptop, desktop, or tablet?
• Do you have partnerships with technology providers for discounts that you can share widely with your institutional community? For example, many institutions have relationships with Dell Computers and the company offers discounts to students and educators.
• Where can stakeholders get help with computer problems/troubleshooting (on campus and off campus)? 

Digital Skills

• What digital skills training programs are currently available at the institution or available to you through your associated Higher Education System or the Board of Regents (e.g., Northstar Digital Literacy)?
• Are there specific departments or units offering specialized digital skills courses?
• How accessible are these digital skills training opportunities to different student populations (e.g., international students, students with disabilities, adult learners)?
• How are digital skills integrated into curricula across various disciplines? (foundational, advanced, and industry-specific digital skills)
• What resources are available to support students who need additional help with digital skills?
• Are there opportunities for faculty and staff to receive professional development in digital skills?
• What initiatives or programs are in place to promote AI literacy among students, faculty, and staff? Does your institution provide instruction or policies regarding AI use?
• How are information literacy and media literacy skills integrated into the curriculum and supported through resources and training for students, faculty, and staff? Who is responsible for this training at your institution?
• Are there any digital skills training programs for community members? 
• What external organizations or businesses provide this training? 
• Does your institution host digital skills training programs for community members? 
• Are there any partnerships between your institution and community organizations to provide digital skills training programs?

Digital Accessibility

• Has your institution adopted digital accessibility standards?
• Does your institution have a Digital Accessibility Policy outlining responsibilities for ensuring the website, mobile applications, and electronic documents (including those used in instruction) are easily navigated and understood by a wide range of users, including those with visual, auditory, motor or cognitive disabilities?
• Does your institution have policies surrounding digital safety and privacy?
• Does your institution have policies surrounding the purchase of accessible products/services, including technical evaluations?
• Does your institution provide training or resources to assist with digital accessibility, including those to ensure inclusive and accessible teaching and those to ensure accessibility of course content delivered online?
• Does your institution have a process in place when users encounter a digital-accessibility-related barrier?

Digital Privacy and Internet Safety

• Does your institution provide training or resources to educate students, staff, and faculty about digital privacy and online safety best practices?
• Do students know where to find support or resources on campus or online if they need help with digital privacy or internet safety issues?
• Are there opportunities for community members to learn about digital privacy in your community?
• Does your institution have digital privacy and internet safety policies?
• Does your institution provide guidance for how to move forward if there is a cyber security attack on institutional assets and digital resources are limited to contain the issue?

Recommended Strategies

• Create a comprehensive list of resources and assets, both at the institution and through community partners.
• Make this information publicly available and easy to find on the institution’s website.
• Communicate this asset map to all institutional departments and constituents.
• Make a plan to review and update the asset map regularly (each semester is recommended or at minimum once a year).

What Might This Look Like On Campus?

Below is a list of some typical ways that higher education institutions are already working to address the digital divide and some departments that might administer these programs or initiatives. 

Note: This is not a comprehensive list. There are many creative and unique ways that institutions are working to remove barriers to digital opportunity on campus and in surrounding communities.

Campus Technology Infrastructure and Support

• IT Department: Manages campus internet access, Wi-Fi, device lending, accessibility features, cybersecurity training, data privacy policies, discounted internet plans, and provides technology support for personal devices of students and staff. 
• Residential Life/Housing: Ensures internet access in residential areas.

Academic Programs and Initiatives

• Academic Colleges: Integrate digital skills into curricula and offer specialized courses.
• Continuing Education: Hosts digital skills programs for community members. 
• Online Learning: Supports faculty and students with technology and training for online/hybrid courses. 
• Adult Education: Offers digital literacy training for adult learners, including underserved populations such as low-income individuals, immigrants, and non-native English speakers. Provides access to technology resources, online learning platforms, and personalized support to help bridge the digital divide. 
• Programs for Incarcerated Students: Provide educational opportunities, digital literacy training, and access to technology for incarcerated individuals, helping them develop skills necessary for successful reintegration into society.

Academic Support and Resources

• Library: Provides internet access points, computer labs, device lending, online resources, digital skills training, information literacy instruction, accessible digital tools, open educational resources, and internet safety resources.
• Writing/Learning Center: Offers support for developing digital literacy skills required for academic work.
• Tutoring Centers: Offers help navigating digital resources and the learning management system in addition to course content tutoring.

Student Support and Development

• First Year Program: Integrates digital literacy training for new students. 
• Student Advocacy/Basic Needs: Assists with affordable internet, devices, and related resources. 
• TRIO Program: Supports underrepresented students in developing digital skills and accessing technology. 
• Disability Services: Advocates for individuals with disabilities and collaborates with institutional entities to ensure digital accessibility for all.
• Student Engagement: Offers workshops on digital literacy, promotes opportunity initiatives and encourages student involvement and belonging.
• Student Veteran Center: Provides tailored support and resources to help student veterans access and effectively use technology, overcome digital barriers, and develop essential digital skills for academic success and career readiness.
• International Student Center: Offers specialized support for international students, including resources for digital access, training in digital tools, and assistance with overcoming language barriers in technology use.
• Career Services: Trains on digital skills for job searching and online presence, and collaborates with employers on in-demand skills.

Faculty Support and Development 

• Faculty Development & Instructional Support: Ensures faculty device access and discounts and trains on creating accessible digital materials, educational technologies, online teaching, and integrating digital literacy into curricula.

Research and Innovation

• Research and Innovation: Explores emerging technologies, researches digital divide challenges, and develops innovative solutions.

Administrative Support and Policy

• Administration & Academic Affairs: Provide direction, policies, and support for digital opportunity initiatives. 
• Foundation: Secures funding for digital opportunity programs, such as providing laptops for students in need. 
• Financial Aid: Explores including technology costs in aid packages and provides information on discounts. 
• Communications: Develops strategies for clearly communicating digital opportunity programs and resources, ensuring information is readily available and accessible on the institution’s website and through other channels.

Community Outreach and Engagement

• Extension Offices: Offer digital navigator services, digital literacy programs, device lending, and internet access solutions in communities. 
• Community Service/Service Learning: Facilitates student involvement in digital opportunity initiatives through community service projects and service-learning courses. 
• Alumni/Community Engagement: Connects alumni to initiatives, facilitates partnerships, and promotes digital literacy resources.
• Campus Bookstore: Bundles resources for students including hardware and software resources.

What Might This Look Like In the Community?

Below is a list of some organizations that may be already working to address the digital divide in your community. 

Note: This is not a comprehensive list. There are many creative and unique ways to remove barriers to digital opportunity in our communities. 

Public Libraries: Free internet access and computer labs; Digital literacy training programs, device-lending programs; Assistive technology for accessibility; Online resource guides and support; Digital navigator services

Workforce Development Programs: Digital skills training integrated into job readiness; Online career exploration and job search assistance; Partnerships with employers for digital upskilling

Health Service Providers: Telehealth resources and training; Online patient portals and access to digital health records; Programs to increase digital health literacy

Community Colleges/Universities: Workforce development and job training programs with digital skills components; Continuing education courses on computer basics, online safety, etc.; Computer reuse/refurbishing programs; Community outreach and service-learning initiatives

Local Nonprofits/Community Organizations: Distribution of low-cost devices and technical support; Digital navigator programs to assist covered populations; Affordable internet/device access programs; Digital skills training tailored to specific populations (seniors, immigrants, etc.)

Religious Organizations/Churches: Computer donation/reuse programs; Basic digital skills workshops; Youth technology clubs and STEM activities

State Government Agencies

Department of Education: Digital literacy resources for K-12 students and families, tablets or laptops for students

Louisiana Workforce Commission: Digital skills training for job seekers and workers

Department of Health: Telehealth, online health resources for residents

Office of Aging and Adult Services: Online resources for seniors and people with adult-onset disabilities

Governor’s Office of Disability Affairs: Online resources for people with disabilities, assistive technology and accessibility initiatives

State Library of Louisiana: Public computer access, online resources

Other state agencies, such as: Louisiana Economic Development, Department of Public Safety and Corrections, Department of Children and Family Services, Department of Veterans Affairs, and Office of Juvenile Justice

Local Government Agencies

• Public libraries
• Municipal IT/broadband offices - Affordable internet access initiatives
• Parks & Recreation - Computer labs, internet access, digital skills classes
• Public housing authorities - Device distribution, digital navigator programs, internet access
• Literacy councils - Digital literacy integrated with adult education
• Public-access TV stations - Technology training shows, digital media courses