Student device quality research

   Broadband access and speed aren’t the only technological concerns for students engaged in remote and hybrid learning. The quality of the student device itself also plays a key role, according to a new study, specifically,the age of the device and device specifications. Researchers looked at data from students using the same internet service provider and noted that throughput was actually lower in the case of students who had inferior devices even though they were on the same network.

   According to the report: “… [U]pload and download speeds during online classes/meetings can vary significantly by the age, type, and quality of device used. Students that were provided with older and less powerful equipment had an inferior experience than students with newer devices. Students that received newer devices with limited specifications (e.g., memory and processor) also had more challenges than students that were provided with devices with better specifications.”

   Some of the factors that impact the quality of the learning experience include, according to the report (all bullets quoted verbatim from the report):

• Type and speed of processor
• Amount of memory
• Central Processing Unit (CPU) utilization
• Number of applications running at one time
• Quality of WiFi antenna and signal strength received
• WiFi standard used and access frequency

   Beyond replacing devices or purchasing upgrades, there are steps IT departments can take to improve device performance, such as whitelisting the sites and services that deliver students’ at-home learning materials and online class sessions so that performance isn’t hindered by a network filtering product. The report also noted that data analytics are critical for assessing student device performance. 

Digital equity initiative. (2021) Student home internet connectivity study. CoSN. https://www.cosn.org/digitalequity

Internet Connecting the Classrooms

According to a new analysis by the nonprofit broadband advocacy group EducationSuperHighway, more than 44 million students now learn in classrooms with high-speed internet connections, up from just 4 million five years ago. The group’s 2018 State of the States report says such “incredible progress” puts the U.S. on the cusp of providing broadband connections to nearly every public school in the country, the goal set by President Barack Obama in 2013. The report states that the median bandwidth delivered by districts meeting the FCC's minimum connectivity target has continued to grow, showing schools' desire to continually expand their internet usage.

EducationSuperhighway (2018). 2018 State of the states: Expanding digital learning to every classroom, every day. San Francisco, CA: EducationSuperhighway. https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/esh-sots-pdfs/2018%20State%20of%20the%20States.pdf

Library Funding, Access, and Connectivity

This study presents national and state data gathered through three integrated approaches: a national survey that collected information about public library Internet connectivity, use, services, funding and sustainability issues; a questionnaire sent to the Chief Officers of State Library Agencies (COSLA); and focus groups and site visits held in two states: Indiana and Wisconsin. The study finds that America’s 16,592 public library buildings provide communities of all sizes free access to computers and the Internet; formal classes and informal staff assistance using these technology assets; a wide range of Internet services including homework resources, digital reference and e-books; and wireless access to the Internet.

Key findings include:

-   Libraries serve a unique and important role in providing free access to all types of information and telecommunications services. Just over 71 percent of libraries report that they are the only source of free access to computers and the Internet in their communities. Library staff report an increase in the use of library computers and Internet access for job-seeking and e-government purposes.

-   In a time of widespread economic turmoil, 14.3 percent of public libraries report decreased operating budgets in FY2009. Only 38 percent of libraries report budget increases at or above the rate of inflation. More than half (53 percent) of the state library agencies that provide state funding to public libraries report declining state funding in FY2009, according to questionnaires to the Chief Officers of State Library Agencies (COSLA).

-   Public libraries are investing in and improving Internet access speeds, but they still find patron demands are growing faster than their ability to increase bandwidth. Nearly 60 percent of libraries report Internet connection speeds are insufficient to meet needs at some point in the day. Achieving sufficiency of public access to computers and the Internet is an elusive goal

Davis, D. M., Bertot, J. C., McClure, C. R., & Clark, L. (2010). Libraries connect communities 3: Public library funding & technology access study. Chicago, IL: American Library Association. http://www.ala.org/tools/sites/ala.org.tools/files/content/initiatives/plftas/previousstudies/0809/librariesconnectcommunities3.pdf