Innovative Tech Solution to Dampen the Digital Divide During COVID

Because of COVID-19 millions of students are remote, creating gaps that effect learning outcomes. These gaps often include a lack of Internet access at home and limited opportunities for STEM and Computer Science education. A new Chromebook app has been released that helps bridge these gaps for many students.

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Schools have attempted to address remote learning issues by purchasing low-cost computers for students to take home. The most common solution is Chromebooks, which can cost as little as $300. Technology research firm IDC estimates that over 9 million Chromebooks shipped in 3rd quarter of 2020, an increase of 90% over the year before. However, Chromebooks still rely on high-speed Internet connections for most tasks, creating an issue for many families.

The Federal Communications Commission estimates that 21 million Americans lack broadband access, with independent research indicating the actual number is twice as high. In a separate survey, only 30 percent of teachers in high-poverty schools reported students had Internet access at home. While schools are working to close this gap, Internet access will continue to be an issue for education.

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Additionally, schools are struggling to provide well-rounded and effective educational experiences via distance learning. Many states addressed this issue by spending a portion of stimulus funds on basic online educational materials for reading and math. This has led to a lack of STEM (Science, Technology, Education and Math) activities and a more limited exposure to STEM and high-demand careers.

Tennessee-based Thinking Media has created an innovative solution to these issues by releasing the Learning Blade® Backpack app. Learning Blade is a STEM and computer science career awareness platform that provides rich experiences for students. The Learning Blade Backpack app for Chomebooks allows students without Internet access at home to use the library of interactive STEM lessons that expose students to high-demand careers while practicing basic academic skills. Students download lessons while connected to the Internet at school and then work on the interactive lessons even where Internet is not available. Whenever the student connects to the Internet, the results are automatically uploaded for the teacher to review.

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