Multidimensional Approaches to Illustrate the Digital Divide among K-12 Students

Abstract

In this paper, we share the initial findings from a multi-disciplinary project by Team D2IE (Digital Divide and Inclusion in Education), the recent first-place winner of the Global XPRIZE Education Open Data Challenge, where they investigated how digital infrastructure and internet connectivity varies among K-12 students at the county level across the United States. Two quantitative measures (Student Digital Opportunity and Benefit-Cost Ratio) and three interactive maps were developed from socio-technical and economic perspectives to support decision-making. The three interactive maps allow stakeholders to evaluate digital access, usage, cost, and economic benefits at the county level across the country.