Understanding the Digital Equity Gap and Bridging the Digital Divide in Higher Ed

Despite the prevalence of online, hybrid and HyFlex classes in higher education, course accessibility is far from equal across student bodies. Even at larger, wealthier institutions like Indiana University Bloomington and The Ohio State University, a significant number of students lack the technological access necessary to fully participate. With a third of low-income students and 25 percent of all students battling unreliable internet access, evidence of this trend can be seen throughout the country. Access to campus computer labs isn’t always possible, especially for off-campus students. Higher education is home to a substantial and worrisome digital equity gap, a digital divide in desperate need of a bridge. “Our colleagues that are working in rural spaces, our colleagues that are working at tribal colleges, indigenous communities — the divide in broadband access is prohibitive,” says Mordecai Ian Brownlee, president of the Community College of Aurora. “Programs that would truly promote social and economic mobility are hindered and prevented due to the lack of infrastructure in these various communities.” Brownlee goes on to say he believes this digital equity gap represents a lack of focus on national infrastructure. “What are we doing to ensure these communities are receiving the access that they need? The access equates to opportunity.”