Participate 2- Accessing Digital Learning Communities

Accessing the Digital Community 

The level of access to digital resources in my area is very high. Houston county, Georgia has at least one internet provider for 100% of the population. The providers listed for my address off the best upload and download speeds available. 

There are several barriers limiting our students' opportunity to access digital learning. Poverty is a major concern. Students sometime only have web access at school or a public library so assignments that involve research outside the classroom become problematic. Often students have mobile devices; however, many lack a service plan outside of areas with Wi-Fi. As an educator in a physical classroom, you are able to have students work on web based assignments in a computer lab or your own classroom. In an online learning environment, educators should remain vigilant ensuring assignments are fair to all students regardless of web access. This may look like an extension of a deadline or additional time in class to complete that portion of the assignment. 

Another concern would be the accessibility of web content. We should remember those students that are differently abled, such as deaf, hard of hearing, blind, or visually impaired. Text to voice features help reduce this limitation for these students.