Digital Equity and the Digital Divide

This set of vocabulary flashcards covers the tiers of the digital divide, key barriers to digital equity, and strategies for closing the technology gap as discussed in the lecture.

Digital Divide

A complex, multi-layered problem regarding who gets to participate in the modern economy based on their level of technology access and literacy.

Access Divide

The first tier of the digital divide anatomy, referring to physical infrastructure and the prohibitive cost of getting online.

Skills Divide

The second tier of the digital divide, also known as the digital literacy gap, involving the knowledge and confidence required to use technology.

Usage Divide

The third tier of the digital divide, representing the divergence between using the internet for passive consumption versus capital enhancing activities.

Capital Enhancing Activities

Tasks such as taking online certification courses, networking for a job, managing a small business, or accessing telehealth that translate internet use into economic mobility.

Homework Gap

The systemic inability of students to complete assignments at home due to a lack of appropriate technology or reliable internet.

Fixed Broadband

A foundational layer of connectivity that rural Americans are nearly $20$ times more likely to lack compared to urban residents.

E Rate Program

An FCC program established under the Telecommunications Act of $1996$ that provides billions of dollars to wire school classrooms and libraries but does not support off-premises internet access.

Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP)

A temporary federal subsidy for internet bills that expired in May $2024$, impacting persistent poverty counties.

Intergenerational Co-learning

A concept utilized by programs like OATS (Older Adult Technology Services) where younger digital natives are paired with seniors to address technology fears.

Digital Navigators

Human support systems that provide training and culturally relevant intervention to help users leverage technology.

Algorithmic Thinking

The literal foundation of breaking a massive, intimidating problem down into sequential logical steps.

Brain Gain

A phenomenon where rural talent is retained and utilized within local communities rather than permanently migrating to urban tech hubs.

Prompt Architecture

The potential future exclusionary barrier involving the ability to seamlessly command, manage, and prompt highly complex AI agents.

Three-Legged Stool of Digital Equity

A framework for parity consisting of physical infrastructure, possessing appropriate devices, and human support/training.