One way to measure inequality in the country is through the digital divide. A Pew Research Center article revealed that even as lower-income Americans make gains in tech adoption, the divide persists.
How afterschool time can generate content creators
Article
by Edwin Link
It’s important to frame best practices for afterschool providers in terms of engagement and participation in the world, not simply proficiency with computers and the Internet. It’s not about having a laptop or a smart phone, it’s about using the laptop or smartphone to translate a child’s worldview into content. It’s about giving them the creative space to digitally develop a voice. Here are a few examples:
According to Pew Research, 44% of Americans making less than $30,000 a year do not own a desktop or laptop computer. To bridge the digital divide, eBay seller ReviveIT refurbishes computers and provides this commercial-grade technology to small businesses and schools at a lower cost than new—making technology more accessible to these organizations. ReviveIT also donates technology to programs that aide low income families.
The HP School Cloud is a hybrid cloud appliance, meaning it acts as both an advanced wireless router and state-of-the-art file and content server. Each device will leverage a range of free, open source educational material from OpenStax—with more Open Education Resource partners to be announced later this fall. Schools without Internet access can simply install an HP School Cloud, turn it on, and let students dive into millions of e-textbooks and thousands of lessons on reading, science, mathematics, and more.
by Nate Hurst, Chief Sustainability and Social Impact Officer, HP
Blog
In developed countries, classrooms increasingly embrace accelerating innovation. Schools are adopting technologies like AR/VR devices, 3D printing and massive online open courses (MOOCs). Advancements in technology help students collaborate and create like never before, and allow educators to individualize lesson plans and monitor progress with unprecedented insight – ultimately preparing their pupils for success in the digital age.
By David L. Cohen, Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer
Blog
When Comcast launched Internet Essentials six years ago, we honestly had no idea how it would be received or how many low-income Americans we could reach. No one had ever tried anything this ambitious in the broadband adoption space before. We certainly wouldn’t have predicted the program would become the nation’s largest and most comprehensive broadband adoption initiative for low-income Americans, connecting more homes than all other similar programs combined – by several orders of magnitude.
Dalila Wilson-Scott enjoys getting out of her corporate office and interacting with members of the community.
As the senior vice president of community investment at Comcast Corp. and president of the Comcast Foundation, Wilson-Scott leads the company’s social initiatives. In her role, she meets with various leaders in Philadelphia to learn what support Comcast can provide and often travels to NBCUniversal’s offices and studios nationwide.
Ismael Guerrero hears the stories every day. For the executive director of the Denver Housing Authority (DHA), it’s all part of his world.
The single mother using the free WiFi at a fast food restaurant to search for a higher-paying job. The kids who stay in the computer lab for hours after school to complete their homework. The family that shares a single smartphone.
Barclays has partnered with the Unreasonable Group to create Unreasonable Impact accelerators around the world. Together, we’re investing in entrepreneurial innovation to create some of the 212 million new jobs it’s estimated our global economy will need by 2020 to tackle expected levels of unemployment*.
