Educational Consulting Associates’ Post

The FCC recognizes the homework gap as a critical barrier to student success and is committed to ensuring that every student has the resources they need to complete their assignments effectively--believe it or not, some communities in America are still left behind, especially in rural areas. This gap, where some students lack adequate internet access or digital devices at home, hinders their ability to engage with digital coursework and fully participate in learning opportunities outside of school hours, causing them to miss out on assignments, stay later at school, turn in assignments late, or miss out on interactive study tools that help motivate them for success. By leveraging policies, funding, and partnerships, we can provide universal access to technology, and work towards closing this gap. If this sounds like YOUR school, let us help you maximize your funding to get better opportunities to your students! #HomeworkGap #DigitalDivide #FCC #EducationEquity #erate

Technology is critical in education everywhere, but especially in remote BC communities. We don’t think a simple social media caption can sum up the importance of laptops for distance education as well as Saranagati Vaisnava Education Society’s director’s words can. Read Kar’s letter below: ”We are located in Venables Valley, a remote off-grid community of about 40 households, located about 90 minutes from Kamloops. We had a public school for 11 years here, but in 2009 it was closed during the budget cuts. With no other feasible options, our students signed up for distance learning, and we converted our building from being powered by a continuous diesel generator to a micro-hydro system. Since the secondary students needed to take their courses online, and desktop computers consume too much power for our power system, laptops were required. For the first couple of years, 12 students shared 4-5 old laptops, a few of which had significant problems. Our stress was high, and just basic education became a depressing ordeal for both the students and teachers. Eventually, we found out about Computers for Schools, and contacted them. We were stunned when 8 laptops arrived in less than a week of our initial contact. Furthermore, they provided within days accessories we later requested. The students are thrilled and their school work has been accelerated tremendously. Since then, we have been getting updated resources every 2-3 years from BC Technology for Learning Society, and our entire unusual model has now been working for 15 years and counting!” We help schools like this one every day! For more information on requesting tech please visit our website: https://loom.ly/YOEp2UI #ReuseTechBC #DonationsMatter #Okanagan #Upcycle #Refurbished

Discover how federal stimulus spending is shaping the future of K-12 education! A recent report delves into the strategies that schools are adopting to enhance devices and connectivity. To explore the full insights of how this spending is revolutionizing education, read more at: https://okt.to/6LJ0QK #EdTech #StimulusSpending #K12Education

Discover how federal stimulus spending is shaping the future of K-12 education! A recent report delves into the strategies that schools are adopting to enhance devices and connectivity. To explore the full insights of how this spending is revolutionizing education, read more at: https://okt.to/eia9uq #EdTech #StimulusSpending #K12Education

Access to Wi-Fi and connectivity is often taken for granted by many, yet it remains a privilege not universally available. This access is essential for creating an equitable modern learning environment that empowers all students to thrive. The FCC's decision to make school bus Wi-Fi eligible for E-rate funding is a significant step towards ensuring digital equity. For many students, especially those in rural or underserved areas, the school bus ride is a substantial part of their day. By providing internet access during these commutes, we can transform this time into productive learning periods. In Santa Fe, the school district has already equipped its buses with Wi-Fi, allowing students to complete homework and access educational resources while traveling. This not only benefits students academically but also supports families by ensuring that students can keep up with their studies, even if home internet access is limited. Other districts, like Fox C-6 near St. Louis, are using this connectivity to enhance communication with parents, providing real-time updates on bus locations and student safety. As education continues to evolve, initiatives like this highlight the importance of innovative solutions to meet diverse student needs. This expansion is more than just funding; it's a commitment to bridging the digital divide and ensuring every student has the tools they need to succeed. This funding will play a vital role in making this a reality, helping schools provide essential resources to all students, regardless of their home internet access. Check out the full article here: https://lnkd.in/e7uTJ5vn #EdTech #DigitalEquity #Education

The pandemic exposed the digital divide like never before—millions of students lacked reliable internet and devices for remote learning. Thanks to funding like the Emergency Connectivity Fund and California's $6 billion broadband push, we’re closing the gap 👏 Discover the future of digital access in education and what still needs to be done below 💻 #closethegap #digitaldivide #digitaladvancement #digitalinnoovation #edtech #educationtechnology #digitalequity #futureoflearning #emergencyconnectivityfund #california #broadband #digitalaccess #middlemile #fcc

Discover how federal stimulus spending is shaping the future of K-12 education! A recent report delves into the strategies that schools are adopting to enhance devices and connectivity. To explore the full insights of how this spending is revolutionizing education, read more at: https://okt.to/5Ja7Tf #EdTech #StimulusSpending #K12Education

School phone bans seem obvious but could make it harder for kids to use tech in healthy ways Joanne Orlando, Western Sydney University School phone bans may seem like the answer to reeling in young people’s technology use. But if we ban phones and bury this issue under the sand, when and how do our kids learn to have a healthy relationship with technology in a world becoming more tech-focused by the day? Existing bans in Australian schools School mobile phone bans have experienced a domino effect throughout Australia. Most jurisdictions now have full or partial bans. Victoria has banned mobile phones in both primary and secondary schools since term 1 of 2020. Western Australia and Tasmania have… Joanne Orlando, Western Sydney University School phone bans may seem like the answer to reeling in young people’s technology use. But if we ban phones and bury this issue under the sand, when and how do our kids learn to have a healthy relationship with technology in a world becoming more tech-focused by the day? Existing bans in Australian schools School mobile phone bans have experienced a domino effect throughout Australia. Most jurisdictions now have full or partial bans. Victoria has banned mobile phones in both primary and secondary schools since term 1 of 2020. Western Australia and Tasmania have similar “off and away all day” policies. South Australia is transitioning to a ban in all public high schools by term 3 of 2023. New South Wales will ban them in public high school schools in October, as part of a flagship election policy from the incoming Minns government. Earlier this month, Queensland said it was looking at the issue as well. Talk of a national approach While schools are largely a state government responsibility, the phone ban rhetoric has gained popularity at the federal level. Last week federal Education Minister Jason Clare called for a national approach, saying he will meet with state and territory counterparts in the middle of 2023 to discuss and encourage this. I think the time has come for a national approach to the banning or the restriction on the use of mobile phones by students in schools. If a national ban is instated, it would likely mean students in all government primary and high schools around the country will restricted or completely banned in their use a mobile phone at school. Countries with a similar national approach include China, France and Sweden. Many countries, including the United Kingdom and United States, enable individual schools to create their own policy as per their individual needs. Students need to be included in this Clare says he will prioritise a collaborative approach to phones and not make the decision on our own; talk to parents, talk to principals, talk to teachers about what’s the best approach to take. An obvious omission from this lineup is students. As studies of phone bans overseas show, children’s views are highly impo

Discover how federal stimulus spending is shaping the future of K-12 education! A recent report delves into the strategies that schools are adopting to enhance devices and connectivity. To explore the full insights of how this spending is revolutionizing education, read more at: https://okt.to/gV4Ctp #EdTech #StimulusSpending #K12Education

Discover how federal stimulus spending is shaping the future of K-12 education! A recent report delves into the strategies that schools are adopting to enhance devices and connectivity. To explore the full insights of how this spending is revolutionizing education, read more at: https://okt.to/syJx3M #EdTech #StimulusSpending #K12Education