Digital Divide Creates Barriers to Education Online

The principal recommendations of a new report by the U.S. Distance Learning Association (USDLA) include expanding broadband use and adoption, developing web-friendly education policies and enabling greater use of online education. Many American families are being left on the wrong side of the digital divide and getting put at an educational disadvantage.

A growing number of Americans use online learning — from students finding additional resources on the web to parents who are pursing degrees digitally.

The report, "Enabled by Broadband, Education Enters a New Frontier," focuses on four specific areas for improving online education:

• Developing an online curriculum that will be supported by education officials and could be implemented in classrooms.
• Reviewing accreditation rules and having policymakers challenge laws that would undermine online learning.
• Redoubling efforts to expand broadband to every American.
• Creating a universal broadband support fund, which would support broadband deployment in high-cost areas.

The last of these suggestions specifically addresses the cost-prohibitive challenge of bridging the digital divide for rural and low-income families. Students from these backgrounds often have the most to gain from long-distance and online education, according to John G. Flores, USDLA's executive director:

"Online learning ... is keeping students engaged and in school, especially at-risk youth who are able to overcome educational obstacles because of the flexible and exciting nature of distance learning. Students and lifelong learners are reaching their goals because of broadband technology applications."

Distance Learning is one of the key benefits to providing high speed Internet access to all Americans.

New Report Highlights Barriers to Online Learning (eSchool News)

Enabled by Broadband, Education Enters a New Frontier (USDLA)

Distance Learning (Speed Matters)