Based on polling data collected by New America and Third Way, "Online Isn't Optional: Student Polling on Access to Internet and Devices" outlines which students are facing the gravest technological challenges, including the lack of reliable internet connection and the need to share devices with others in their household, both of which…

After more than a year of living with the COVID-19 pandemic, much experience has been accumulated by countries around the world. There have been many failures, and there have been some things that have gone well. Adult learning and education in some form has played a significant role in public health since, without the ongoing continuing…

As a result of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, college and university faculty have been tasked with moving their courses toward online modalities with minimal notice. This environment challenged faculty in unique ways, but the need for transparency and communication became more important than ever. To improve the student…

When Maryland's governor ordered all schools closed on March 12, Baltimore was not a COVID-19 hot spot. But there was little doubt that the city would soon be profoundly affected by the virus due to its high levels of poverty, cramped housing conditions, and prevalence of blue-collar workers who had to continue working in close quarters. Sure…

COVID-19 pandemic resulted in the abrupt closure of higher education institutions globally. The pandemic disrupted teaching, research, and community service in higher education resulting in a loss in revenue streams and human resources. To mitigate disruption on the academic calendar, institutions leveraged Information Communication Technology…

The rapid expansion of distance learning in contemporary education has brought both promise and challenges, particularly for disadvantaged student populations. This article critically examines the various obstacles that hinder equitable access and participation in distance learning for marginalized groups. The discussion encompasses socio-economic…

The lockdown imposed in India on 25 March 2020 resulted in the indefinite closure of education institutes all across the country. The government and educational institutes were quick to respond, they shifted teaching from offline to online mode. This article aims to identify the approaches made by the higher education institutions for continues…

As the international community moves inexorably towards a "smart" future, the position of Australia's non-urban areas in that future is less certain. The (re-elected) Australian federal government made a commitment to moving Australian cities forward as part of the international "smart city" movement. However, the effectiveness…

Digital inclusion is key to a better and fairer economic future where every Californian can thrive. But social and physical distancing requirements necessitated by the pandemic have shined a spotlight on the dramatic digital divide facing California's workers, as well as the inequities of that divide. It's time for policies to change so that every…

The COVID-19 pandemic caused a near-total shutdown of the U.S. school system, forcing more than 55 million students to transition to home-based remote learning practically overnight. In most cases, that meant logging in to online classes and accessing lessons and assignments through a home internet connection. Sadly, that was not an option for…

The COVID-19 outbreak stimulated an outbreak of online learning in many institutions in Sub-Saharan Africa. Educational institutions went beyond fighting the COVID-19 through social distancing norms to tackling Sustainable Development Goal Four (SDG 4) with the adoption of online learning as the new modality for instruction. Online learning has…

The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed the digital divide and inequalities among learners and compelled the need to reimagine how teachers and educators teach and support student learning no matter where they live or to what tools they have access. This essay addresses the disruption in online education caused by the global health crisis, exploring…

The resurgence of COVID-19 over the summer and the predicted fall increase in cases means that many districts will continue some form of distance learning for months to come. To help districts refine remote instruction, the authors explore key issues California families experienced around distance learning this spring. Using data from the Census…

Purpose: This paper aims to examine the different ways in which learners may have ownership over technology-enhanced learning by reflecting on technical, legal and psychological ownership. Design/methodology/approach: The paper uses a variety of examples of technology-enhanced learning ranging from open-source software to cloud storage to discuss…

PISA 2015 data show that, on average across OECD countries, as many as three out of four students from the lowest quarter of socio-economic status reach, at best, only the baseline level of proficiency (Level 2) in reading, mathematics or science. While in Canada, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Hong Kong (China), Ireland, Japan, Korea, the…