We've seen far too many examples of students not being afforded basic learning rights over the last year. While some have been able to connect with teachers, equity in remote learning is far from a guarantee. Much has also been made about pandemic learning loss and how it's not something to panic about. While all students are theoretically behind where they might be if the pandemic never happened, it's hard to imagine that those who are unable to connect to the Internet, meet with teachers, and complete assignments are in the same position as those who can. As educators slowly start to welcome students back, we must remember that remote learning was not the same for all students—even students in the same school, grade, or class.
Equity in Remote Learning
For many students, remote learning has entered its second year. So far, we've learned a lot about what methods work and even the percentage of students who have been able to continue learning. While the end is in sight, some students aren't likely to return to the classroom until the fall. Equity in remote learning involves more than just connectivity—though that is the main component. Disparities in reliable Internet access have resulted in varying levels of remote learning quality. On the other hand, keeping students safe in a virtual world also involves equity considerations. If there aren't enough district-provided devices, for example, some students could be at risk with so much learning taking place online. For that reason, educators have had to consider equity in all aspects of their decision making.
Attempting equity with connected devices.
For many education leaders, decision making has quickly shifted to include equity considerations. The ultimate goal is to ensure equal opportunities and outcomes for students. This means they must have equal access in order for this to become a reality. Obtaining individual devices for all students in a school or district is no easy task, however. Plus, simply providing those devices isn't always enough. Connectivity is step one, but students have still needed to receive effective instruction. Live video lessons with teachers are, of course, the most effective and that means their devices and Internet connections would also have to provide them with high-speed, uninterrupted learning.
Other factors to consider.
Education leaders have had to continue to ask themselves certain questions as they attempt to achieve equity. These include determining which students are most affected and to what degree they may wind up being impacted. If relying on technology to help eliminate learning gaps, they've also had to consider potential consequences of integrating it. Would it wind up costing too much in the long run, for example? Or, is there a chance it could quickly become obsolete? And, of course, equitable access to that particular technology should also be considered. If it doesn't help advance equity, it's not really a solution. Starting with ensuring efficacy and creating access, educators can then hope for impactful results that ensure equity for all students.
Technology Access Fosters Greater Inclusion
In pre-pandemic times, we knew that different students had different educational opportunities. Whether it was based on their location, race, or socioeconomic status, not all things were equal. Once schools shut down, however, this divide continued. The biggest problem with that, however, was that educational opportunities were essentially nonexistent without equitable access to technology. Technology is often seen as the great equalizer in education, but ensuring equity in accessing it has become much tougher. In an era in which technology has been the cornerstone of teaching and learning, this importance can not be understated. Even a year into remote learning, educators are still struggling to close access gaps.
Equity and access are just the start.
Internet access has become the biggest contemporary lifeline to learning. Along those lines, so has access to reliable devices. There are more options, however, when it comes to devices, making Internet access the key factor. Some students, for example, may be able to get by with using a smartphone as opposed to a super fast computer. This access is a critical part of ensuring every student continues to receive an education. And, this equity in educational experiences should be a right for every single student. What it comes down to, however, is technology being the force that creates true equity. Beyond enabling them to complete assignments, technology also opens up new realizations, points of view, and perspectives for students—hugely valuable elements of 21st century learning.
Enabling student voice.
As the 'great equalizer,' technology is often viewed as the single most important tool in giving every student a voice. Technology allows educators to supplement curricular content with engaging media. Without this, instruction can feel a bit antiquated. In remote learning, especially, technology can truly help give students a voice. Without it, teachers probably wouldn't know what they're feeling, how they've reacted to new topics, or whether or not they're struggling. Using what they know, students are then able to share their thoughts and receive personalized feedback. If they don't have this opportunity, their experience is much less fruitful. As we've seen, students need equity in remote learning in order to exercise that voice.
What to Recognize when Addressing Equity
It's tough enough for educators to deliver an equitable remote learning experience to all students. Part of this has to do with some students needing extensive and specialized support. Another reason is that, due to a lack of connectivity, teachers simply cannot reach all students. As more students return to school, equity in remote learning may start to be less of a concern. At the same time, education leaders would have to assess and address student needs upon returning. Education officials and district leaders have done all they can to ensure students get something out of this huge period of disruption. Knowing that there was a lack of equity and determining which students were (or continue to be) the most vulnerable has to be in their minds.
Using data to address student needs.
Whether educators have been at remote teaching for a year or been able to get back into the classroom already, everybody was (and still is) new to remote teaching. Though they've learned to continue educating on the fly, equity concerns have remained throughout this time. Even if all students are present for class meetings, there's also engagement to consider. This is just one more element of remote learning that's not automatically equitable. One strategy for educators or administrators is to capture as much data as possible. Knowing how much students participate and who's contributing to discussions is very valuable. On the other hand, if students don't have to leave their cameras on, this can become tougher. It's all about making sure they're comfortable in their home environment, however.
Creating equity through action.
Surveys are often the best way to capture key data points. These might include Internet access, device availability, or Internet strength. Even though it's been a year, knowing this information is still important. It can inform instructional practices, assignments, and even conversations between students and teachers. Besides that, educators should try to keep their definition of an equitable learning environment in mind at all times. This might mean actively trying to engage certain students to make sure they're involved. Positive reinforcement can be a good strategy here, offering praise that gives students confidence whenever possible. Involving all students can also promote equity that goes beyond education. If students see peers of all races, backgrounds, and genders being treated equally in the virtual classroom, it can only help their own views of equality.
Creating a Culture of Equity
Much has been made about equity in education over the last few months and rightfully so. True equity, however, involves across-the-board inclusion for all students. When all students feel welcomed in the classroom—in-person or virtual—there is a much greater sense of equity. A school culture that's based on equity and inclusion helps educators create an environment for each and every one of them. This, most often, begins with teachers and administrators. They need to buy in to advancing equity and inclusion and set examples for their students in the process.
Ensuring students feel valued.
Advancing equity often starts with ensuring all students are treated equally and with culturally responsive efforts. Like we said, this means equal participation in activities and equal validation for all students from their teachers. Even though students have different sets of abilities and strengths, we cannot understate how important it is to treat them all equally. They'll quickly start to adopt their own view of the importance of equitable opportunities and understand that they're no better or worse than any of their classmates. Instilling this belief and sense of pride in them is also a huge part of building a schoolwide culture based on the same principles.
Why intent matters.
To help make all students feel included, educators often need to be clear. Their language, attitudes, and actions are all things students constantly notice. There are many different reasons educators may decide to focus on advancing more equitable opportunities for all students. It could be for improving grades, increasing college enrollment, and, in today's world, ensuring everybody has access to learning opportunities. Many times, simply feeling more included can help students overcome some of the barriers they face. It often starts with educators using the right kind of language in creating an inclusive school culture. Using inclusive terms goes a long way with students. Beyond that, providing any unique accommodations that they need will typically help them feel more at ease.
Addressing Concerns in Remote Learning
We're a year into remote learning and the fact that there are equity disparities remains. It turns out they're a common problem for countless children and parents around the country. The first thing education leaders must do is acknowledge that these inequities exist. Being able to clearly define and see them is the first step in reducing them. There's also the fact that some classes or subjects aren't meant for online delivery. Hands-on STEM classes, for example, aren't nearly as effective outside of a lab or makerspace. So, in many cases, these types of learning experiences are put on the back burner as educators continue to look for the most inclusive ways to teach their students.
Alternative options when access is unattainable.
Even with learning taking place online, teachers can still prioritize inclusion. Beyond technology, students need additional support and the best way to provide that is to communicate with them. When designing lessons as well, teachers need to keep in mind that every student might not have a computer. Some might be using mobile phones to access meetings and assignments. One way around this could be recommending they use public Wi-Fi at a library or coffee shop. Of course, these places present a potential health risk, but it may be the only option in some families. At the very least, it could help students without reliable home Internet find a way to access their education—a basic right we never realized could someday be in jeopardy.
Every situation is unique.
To increase equity in remote learning, flexible options are a good start. Assignments that offer multiple access points are ideal and allowing for asynchronous completion can also be very helpful. This includes possibly utilizing mobile-friendly resources to accommodate those students using mobile devices. Also, the right balance of synchronous and asynchronous learning could help. In rare cases, some students may have had to travel to take care of family members in other time zones, meaning synchronous learning would be much tougher. Each situation is very unique and students need equal assistance to ensure they're getting the instruction they need. If you've had issues with addressing equity in remote learning or found a creative way to overcome it, we'd love to hear. Send us a message with your story and we'll share it with our community.
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