Equity in learning environments

On National Teachers Day, I gave a live Q&A about distance learning and the school closures dramatically impacting students, parents, and teachers. While I had the honor of answering a number of key questions, there just wasn’t enough time to address them all. So I’m taking this opportunity to answer them in depth right now. 

Q. How are states ensuring equity through accessible tech?

A. This is a difficult time for school districts and state leaders faced with an unfamiliar challenge that requires immediate action. To provide devices and connectivity to students in need, states are empowered through the CARES Act which funds digital learning resources and training within Title I schools.

Q: How is T-Mobile responding differently for high-needs districts vs. others that are more affluent? Or, for example, in communities where there is a language barrier and teachers are engaging with English.

A: We’re working strategically with school districts who serve students in need across the country. These districts serve students with language barriers, homeless students, alternative education students, and other special populations who require extensive efforts and creativity to provide for virtually. 

Our EmpowerED 2.0 program gives schools who qualify technology hardware stipends and low-cost high-speed 4G LTE service to provide to their students. But the real heroes are our school district administrators and teachers who have been thrust into a world of making quick decisions to prioritize remote learning in ways that they've never encountered before. 

Students and Increased Screen Time

Q: What research is being done on the effects of increased screen time on students—does it affect their cognitive development or vision? What about the effects on younger kids?

A: COVID-19 has made us reimagine what constitutes increased screen time. Children are now relying on technology for remote learning, video entertainment, and to meet their social-emotional needs via social media and gaming.  

Empirical research has explored the impact of screen time on students with both positive and negative observations. Benefits include increased motivation, engagement, and basic technology skills, plus increased stimuli and interactive content for younger children. But there are several negative impacts including the risk of forming an addiction to a visually stimulating virtual entertainment world. I encourage you to read more about this research here: https://psychcentral.com/lib/the-effects-of-screen-time-on-children/). 

Learning disabilities and remote education

Q: My grandson has dyslexia and it has made it harder for him at home. Suggestions?

A: I'm so glad to see the love you have for your grandson. Grandparents are the absolute greatest gift for our children in their times of need. For students with dyslexia, dyslexiaresource.org has been an invaluable resource over the years. The site recently posted a great article exploring how to make distance learning work for teachers and students that include multi-sensory and individualized virtual learning techniques you might find helpful: https://dyslexiaresource.org/how-to-make-distance-learning-work-for-teachers-and-students/.  

Teachers

Q: Thanks T-Mobile for putting together this Q&A! What has @TMobileBusiness been doing since the COVID-19 outbreak hit to help instructors teach online?

A: You're welcome, and thank you for posing this valuable question. At a time when we are all are isolated to remote instruction, the reality is that helping students helps teachers most. T-Mobile is committed to serving school districts by providing affordable high speed 4G/LTE mobile internet options for schools, teachers, and students. Our commitment to digital equity is aligned with the teachers' need to reach all students as they strategize online teaching and learning.

Thank you so much for your thoughtful questions on distance learning and bridging the digital divide for our students. To find out more about EmpowerED 2.0 and everything we’re doing to keep schools and students connected, please visit https://www.t-mobile.com/business/education/empowered2. And be sure to follow the T-Mobile for Business LinkedIn and Twitter feeds.

Be well and stay safe,

Dr. Kiesha Taylor, National Education Administrator at T-Mobile

Twitter: @KTayOnline

LinkedIn: Dr. Keisha Taylor