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).