Who Has Access?

Learning Resource Type

Learning Activity

Subject Area

Digital Literacy and Computer Science

Grade(s)

4

Overview

Students will collect and analyze data from the website, Broadband Now, to understand that not everyone has the same level of access to technology in the U.S. based on their geographic location. Data will be collected for each U.S. state and discussed with a partner and the whole class.

This activity was created as a result of the DLCS COS Resource Development Summit.

Phase

During/Explore/Explain
Digital Literacy and Computer Science (2018) Grade(s): 4

DLCS18.4.11

Discuss the digital divide as unequal access to technology based on differences such as income, education, age, or geographic location and locate resources in the community that can give people access to technology.

UP:DLCS18.4.11

Vocabulary

  • digital divide
  • unequal access
  • income
  • geographic location
  • access

Knowledge

Students know:
  • everyone does not have the same level of access to technology due to a variety of possible reasons.
  • communities have free access to technology at various locations such as public libraries, schools, and businesses.

Skills

Students are able to:
  • discuss why people do not always have access to technology based on income, education, age, or geographic location.
  • discuss locations within the community that can give people access to technology.

Understanding

Students understand that:
  • everyone does not have the same level of access.
  • resources are available within the community to give people access they might not have otherwise.
Digital Literacy and Computer Science (2018) Grade(s): 4

DLCS18.4.16

Gather and organize data to answer a question using a variety of computing and data visualization methods.

UP:DLCS18.4.16

Vocabulary

  • gather data
  • organize data
  • computing methods
  • data visualization methods

Knowledge

Students know:
  • strategies to gather data to answer a question using a variety of computing and data visualization methods.
  • strategies to organize data to answer a question using a variety of computing and data visualization methods.

Skills

Students are able to:
  • gather and organize data to answer a question using a variety of computing and data visualization methods.

Understanding

Students understand that:
  • a variety of computing and data visualization methods can be used to answer a question.
  • there are strategies for gathering and organizing data to answer a question using a variety of computing and data visualization methods.
  • different solutions call for certain types of computing and data visualization.

Learning Objectives

Students will collect data from an online source collaboratively to answer the question "Does everyone have the same access to the Internet in each U.S. state?"

Students will analyze data within a spreadsheet using raw data and summary charts.

 

Activity Details

Students will participate in a discussion of vocabulary words related to technology access and the digital divide to provide background knowledge for the lesson. Vocabulary includes digital divide, geographic location, unequal, broadband, underserved, MBPS, wired connection, and wireless connection.

Students will make predictions about which state they think is the most connected state and which state is the least connected before collecting data.  Predictions will be recorded to refer back to later in the lesson.

With a partner, students will be assigned to review one state's internet access using Broadband Now, and the online handout "Who has access?"  Data to be collected is broadband coverage percentage, the percentage of the population that is underserved, the top fastest city in the state, the average download speed of top fastest city, the city with the lowest coverage of broadband access, and ranking of most connected state. (Note - If the handout is not completed collaboratively online, the teacher will have a master list projected on the board using either Excel or Google Sheets.) Student groups will need access to a digital device for this activity. If devices are not available, each group will need a copy of the spreadsheet and data from one state from the Broadband Now website.

With a partner, then as a whole class, analyze and discuss data collected in the spreadsheet. "What do you notice when comparing all states? Specifically, discuss how geographic location limits access."

The students will learn how to organize data by sorting using the A-Z filter demonstrated by the teacher and practiced by the partner or group.

Students will learn how to create a chart in Google Sheets or Excel to represent data visually (see advanced preparation for instructions).

 

Assessment Strategies

Students will be assessed by data accurately collected and entered by students into the collaborative spreadsheet.

The teacher will observe students' discussion within the small and whole group to check for understanding.

 

Variation Tips

Select a city in each percentage bracket, ex. 90-100%, 80 - 99%, 70-79%, etc., and collect data on the cost of broadband to analyze in a Google Sheet or Excel.

Background / Preparation

Make a copy or download the handout, "Who has access?"

Become familiar with the Broadband Now website, https://broadbandnow.com/. Links to each state are near the bottom of the website.

Post the link to the handout online for easier access for students.

Student groups will need access to a digital device for this activity. If devices are not available, each group will need a copy of the spreadsheet and data of one state from the Broadband Now website.

Learn how to create a chart in Google Sheets by watching this YouTube video, How to Make Charts in Google Sheets for Teachers and Students.

 

 

Broadband Now
https://broadbandnow.com

Approved Date

Owner (Author)

aprilchamberlai
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