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Educational Opportunities Can Be Realized Through Broadband
- By John Williams
- Published 02/9/2009
- Editorial and Opinion
- Unrated
John Williams
John R. Williams is Professor of Chemistry and Director of the Office of Distance Learning at Prairie View A&M University. He is also a member of the Alliance for Digital Equality, a nonpartisan consumer advocacy coalition dedicated to educating all communities, especially those that are underserved, and policymakers about the value of broadband technology.
America is home to some of the greatest educational resources in the world. We have the power to churn out professionals – doctors, lawyers, teachers, researchers and writers – in many fields. Today, the ability to educate our young citizens is fueled increasingly by the adoption of broadband.
Our young adults deserve opportunities to not only gain an education, but also draw upon the best our system has to offer. As Director of the Office of Distance Learning at Prairie View A&M University, I have seen how the power of broadband technology can bring college classes and a degree to just about anyone, right in his or her home. If education is the road to opportunity, then broadband is the road to college for many Americans.
Top colleges and universities are not only offering courses online, but also using the breadth of the Internet to provide free access to learning. For example, following the lead of businesses that use videoconferencing to cut travel costs, schools now use new technology to offer advanced classes to students in a remote location. With increasing financial concerns, rising admission standards, and soaring tuition expenses, it is time to return to the broader mission of higher education: allowing access to knowledge to everyone regardless of economic background or ethnicity.
In recent years, a large number of Americans have been able to join the digital revolution; however, anything that limits access and opportunity can reverse recent progress and widen the digital divide. We must make sure that Americans who have joined the broadband generation are able to stay online. Access to broadband technology will provide underserved communities with the tools to fully engage in today’s society – tools that are crucial to the full development of these communities.
Given the constraints mentioned above, it is no surprise that we have seen explosive growth in distance learning and online education. Online education can indeed overcome the barriers that keep many students from attending college. Eliminating the need for travel and the constraints of traditional class times, students can more easily participate in classes at the schools of their choice; curriculum choices are limited only by our ability to develop new online programs.
The key element is access. Increasing connectivity will also promote a stronger economy and increase job opportunities for students when they complete their studies. We have experienced significant progress since the early days of distance learning. A student taking a course would read a text, write and mail assignments and go to a local institution to take a test – all without interaction with another person.
The availability of broadband provides the framework for interaction among teachers and learners that will permit the leaders of tomorrow to realize their dreams. And, as education improves through increased technology utilization, our young people will become more competitive in the global economy. The enabling technology that is absolutely necessary for continued development of this rich educational opportunity is broadband access.
The elements of online education are dependent on high-speed Internet access. Broadband is one of the rare technologies that can transform the way people live. To lessen the digital divide, we must bring educators together with elected officials, business leaders, consumers, faith leaders and those in the fields of public health and public safety to discuss how broadband can offer opportunities to all Americans.
We all share the conviction that broadband access is critical to the future of our communities. Providing the means to increase educational opportunities is just one benefit of a broadband network that extends to every corner of our communities – be it urban or rural. Frankly, the benefits of broadband to our educational system are reason enough to support policies that encourage these critical tools and connections.
In today’s Internet-centric world, education has the potential to take on a whole new life. With a broadband connection children in inner-city neighborhoods and rural regions can access the same universe as children in the most affluent areas of the country. The path to digital empowerment for America will be achieved by eliminating the digital divide and opening the door of opportunity provided by broadband access.
Our young adults deserve opportunities to not only gain an education, but also draw upon the best our system has to offer. As Director of the Office of Distance Learning at Prairie View A&M University, I have seen how the power of broadband technology can bring college classes and a degree to just about anyone, right in his or her home. If education is the road to opportunity, then broadband is the road to college for many Americans.
Top colleges and universities are not only offering courses online, but also using the breadth of the Internet to provide free access to learning. For example, following the lead of businesses that use videoconferencing to cut travel costs, schools now use new technology to offer advanced classes to students in a remote location. With increasing financial concerns, rising admission standards, and soaring tuition expenses, it is time to return to the broader mission of higher education: allowing access to knowledge to everyone regardless of economic background or ethnicity.
In recent years, a large number of Americans have been able to join the digital revolution; however, anything that limits access and opportunity can reverse recent progress and widen the digital divide. We must make sure that Americans who have joined the broadband generation are able to stay online. Access to broadband technology will provide underserved communities with the tools to fully engage in today’s society – tools that are crucial to the full development of these communities.
Given the constraints mentioned above, it is no surprise that we have seen explosive growth in distance learning and online education. Online education can indeed overcome the barriers that keep many students from attending college. Eliminating the need for travel and the constraints of traditional class times, students can more easily participate in classes at the schools of their choice; curriculum choices are limited only by our ability to develop new online programs.
The key element is access. Increasing connectivity will also promote a stronger economy and increase job opportunities for students when they complete their studies. We have experienced significant progress since the early days of distance learning. A student taking a course would read a text, write and mail assignments and go to a local institution to take a test – all without interaction with another person.
The availability of broadband provides the framework for interaction among teachers and learners that will permit the leaders of tomorrow to realize their dreams. And, as education improves through increased technology utilization, our young people will become more competitive in the global economy. The enabling technology that is absolutely necessary for continued development of this rich educational opportunity is broadband access.
The elements of online education are dependent on high-speed Internet access. Broadband is one of the rare technologies that can transform the way people live. To lessen the digital divide, we must bring educators together with elected officials, business leaders, consumers, faith leaders and those in the fields of public health and public safety to discuss how broadband can offer opportunities to all Americans.
We all share the conviction that broadband access is critical to the future of our communities. Providing the means to increase educational opportunities is just one benefit of a broadband network that extends to every corner of our communities – be it urban or rural. Frankly, the benefits of broadband to our educational system are reason enough to support policies that encourage these critical tools and connections.
In today’s Internet-centric world, education has the potential to take on a whole new life. With a broadband connection children in inner-city neighborhoods and rural regions can access the same universe as children in the most affluent areas of the country. The path to digital empowerment for America will be achieved by eliminating the digital divide and opening the door of opportunity provided by broadband access.