Closing the Digital Divide: What can schools do to support families?
Recorded
Thursday, April 28, 2022 · 4:00 p.m.
ABOUT THIS WEBINAR
In an era of blended and hybrid learning, the digital divide has become an ever-growing barrier to education for many pupils, especially those who are disadvantaged.
Ofcom says that almost 1.8 million children do not have access to a laptop or computer at home. This is 9% of all households with children and it does not take into account those without sole access to a device.
Furthermore, around 560,000 children had no internet access at all and 900,000 or so were only able to access the internet through a mobile network.
The government’s “free laptops and routers” roll-out during the pandemic has helped – but has not solved the problem.
A survey conducted in autumn 2021 by Stone Group, SecEd and Headteacher Update found that the digital divide was one of the biggest barriers to the effective use of technology in schools (cited by 57% of respondents).
And there is a second front emerging in the fight to close the digital divide – that of digital competency and skills (SecEd, 2022). Indeed, only a third of teachers think their students have sufficient digital skills to use devices safely and effectively when learning from home.
So – what can schools realistically and usefully do to help their students and families who find themselves on the wrong side of the divide?
This webinar will discuss this core question, seeking to offer practical ideas, examples, and advice for schools. We will also take extensive questions from delegates.
QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION
During the webinar, our panelists will ask and discuss questions and themes including:
• Two years after the free laptops scheme began, what issues are we still seeing in our communities with regards the digital divide? What are the main barriers to education/school with regards edtech-use?
• What can schools do practically to support families in the short-term?
• Case study: Work of King Ecgbert School
• Case study: Primary School TBC
• What are the longer term implications for schools of the digital divide?
• It’s not just devices – how can schools close digital skills gaps for students?
• What steps can schools take now to make a different to the digital divide?
Paul Haigh is the headteacher of King Ecgbert School in Sheffield, a system leading school at the heart of Mercia Learning Trust and a DfE-approved Edtech Demonstrator School. The school holds the World Class School Quality Mark and is one of the...
Named by Education Business as one of the 50 most influential people in education (2021), Dr Fiona Aubrey-Smith is an award-winning teacher and leader with a passion for supporting those who work with children and young people. As director of One...
Head of business development for schools, Stone Group
John Haslam is head of business development for schools at Stone Group. John leads a team of external business development managers to deliver the best in technology, innovation and service for the schools and academies sectors. With a background...
Bukky Yusuf is a senior leader, science teacher and consultant who is well known by her Twitter handle @rondelle10_b. She has undertaken a number of leadership roles within mainstream and special schools. As part of her commitment to increase...
Sophie Powell has worked in education for over 20 years, mainly in the Royal Borough of Greenwich. She has worked for The Compass Partnership of Schools since 2014 as an executive headteacher and is trust lead for school improvement, CPL,...