Equalizing the Digital Divide

Superintendent Luna Eta Task Force

The Digital Divide

Refers to the digital inequalities inside a country, household, or community. Describes the gap between the technology haves and have-nots.

Digital Inequality

Better describes the disparities among various population in usage of digital technologies. 5 dimensions of inequality that have been identified:
o o o o o

Equipment Autonomy of Use Skills Social Support Use Patterns

Eta Task Force Mission

Utilize state funds of $50M to address digital inequalities within the state of Idaho, providing better access to digital technologies for as many Idahoans as possible.

Solutions for Consideration

1. Expand staffing and other resources 2. Provide information literacy courses 3. Install computers in all public libraries 4. Develop free online educational content 5. Subsidize ISP for low-cost internet 6. Provide individuals with computers 7. Provide free internet access

Recommended Solution
Expand support staff, business hours, computer systems, internet access, software, and learning content to make technology opportunities more accessible and more available for Idahoans at public libraries.

Solution Benefits

459 additional library/support jobs 10x internet speed increase 4,590 additional computers 250,000 Idahoans served premium content State-of-the art software packages 36 additional hours access per week 8.6M additional computer hours per year

Expenses

Expense Breakdown
Expense Category Capital Equipment Software/Licensing Wages and Salaries Internet Access Instructional Content Overhead Amount (Millions) $7.49 $2.29 $16.06 $1.46 $12.5 $9.18 Term 3-year capitalized 3-year capitalized Per annum Per annum Per annum Per annum Detail Double computers Full suite per computer 3 staff per location Increased bandwidth Licensed premium content Administration, supplies, IT, employee benefits

Solution Expansion Ideas

1. Form a central statewide agency and board to ensure progress between different statewide and government agencies. 2. Enact a statewide tax that garners support for internet infrastructure within Idaho. 3. Partner with such groups as Microsoft, Google, and other tech companies to expand digital instruction. 4. Organize a volunteer group made up of Ed-Tech teachers who volunteer in public schools and libraries.

Conclusion

With 141 public libraries in the state of Idaho, many portals for digital access exist, we just need to maximize their utility. Our recommendation adds jobs to the state as well as granting thousands of people convenient access to the digital world. Our goal is to close the digital divide in Idaho. We want to make Idaho a technology hub.

References
http://www.publiclibraries.com/idaho.htm

http://www.sde.idaho.gov

DiMaggio, P., & Hargittai, E. (2001). From the 'Digital Divide' to 'Digital Inequality': Studying Internet Use as Penetration Increases. Princeton University Center for Arts and Cultural Policy Studies, Working Paper Series number, 15. Retrieved from http://www.princeton.edu/~artspol/workpap/WP15 - DiMaggio+Hargittai.pdf

DiMaggio, P., Hargittai, E., Celeste, C., & Shafer, S. (2004). From Unequal Access to Differentiated Use: A Literature Review and Agenda for Research on Digital Inequality. Social Inequality. Retrieved from http://www.eszter.com/research/pubs/dimaggio-etal-digitalinequality.pdf

Dickard, N.,& Schneide, D. (2011). The Digital Divide: Where We Are. Edutopia. Retrieved from http://www.edutopia.org/digital-divide-where-we-are-today