Listen and learn: Panel 
Streaming Session
Recorded Session
A glaring digital equity gap currently plagues our public schools and millions of students do not have access to the reliable internet connectivity and devices they need. This gap existed well before the COVID-19 pandemic but was exacerbated by the two years of inconsistent and mostly virtual schooling. This gap – often described as the “homework gap” or “learning gap” – disproportionately impacts kids from low-income households, Black and Latino populations, and rural America.
Tech companies like T-Mobile have a responsibility to our public schools to support these students – the future workforce of America – in narrowing the digital equity divide. As schools re-prioritize their funding to in-classroom learning, many students remain without adequate access to remote resources to aid and enhance their public school learning. Without broadband connectivity, students are not being prepared to compete – or even participate in – a 21st-century economy. With 5G already changing our lives, it’s clear that many of the roles, skills, and titles of the future workforce don’t exist yet. In order to prepare today’s students for this future workforce, we must eliminate the digital equity gap.
By participating in this panel discussion, educators will hear from top education leaders who are actively working against the digital divide in their school or district. Panelists will share their specific strategies and partnerships that are positively impacting their students – especially those from underrepresented populations – and will share how they have overcome barriers to success. As a result of information shared during this panel discussion, attendees will leave inspired and prepared to implement 5G innovation and collaborative partnerships in their own context so that current and future students have greater access to educational opportunities and the future workforce.
Each panelist will be asked a series of predetermined questions from the moderator. The panelists will take turns responding to the questions, using firsthand experiences and details to support their answers. Sample questions may include:
-Students utilize multiple devices to access services and resources on a daily basis. What strategies do you employ to ensure ubiquitous access to digital services, especially on mobile devices?
-Digital equity is more than just connectivity and devices. Students and families need devices and the knowledge to use those devices to access resources digitally. How are you working to ensure that students have the right access to devices and the knowledge to be successful?
-What are some of the challenges you have faced as you’ve moved toward digital equity?
Audience members will receive a QR code with access to the presentation materials to jot down notes.
A portion at the close of the presentation will include a Q+A, allowing audience members to pose questions to the panelists.
Resources on the digital divide and “homework gap”:
https://cepr.harvard.edu/road-to-covid-recovery
https://thehill.com/blogs/congress-blog/technology/459809-the-digital-divide-leaves-rural-students-behind-innovation-can/
https://www.commonsensemedia.org/sites/default/files/featured-content/files/final_-_what_it_will_take_to_permanently_close_the_k-12_digital_divide_vfeb3.pdf
Resources on the future of the workforce:
https://reports.weforum.org/future-of-jobs-2016/chapter-1-the-future-of-jobs-and-skills/?doing_wp_cron=1660760338.3729140758514404296875#:~:text=In%20many%20industries%20and%20countries,that%20don't%20yet%20exist.
https://www.pwc.com/gx/en/services/people-organisation/publications/workforce-of-the-future.html
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