Moving Towards Digital Inclusion
Instructors:
- Sharon Strover, University of Texas Professor and former official of the Rural Utility Service at the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture
- John Horrigan, Senior Fellow at Benton Foundation, former Associate Director for Research at Pew Research Center
- Johannes Bauer, Chief Economist of the U.S. Federal Communications Commission, Professor at Michigan State University, Director of the Quello Cente
This course will address a variety of subjects related to the challenges of getting people online and cultivating digital literacy in regions where Internet services are available. It will provide an overview of some of the most common broadband infrastructure choices and review the cost, reach and technical support implications associated with them. Managing consumer devices, and the implications associated with using wifi hotspots, mobiles, computers, and other Internet of Things technologies with broadband networks will be addressed. Some of the research on how broadband is useful for various economic sectors will be reviewed, including the adaptability of certain broadband systems to different application domains (agriculture, retail, health and education services). Matters of ownership and economic choices, and how local, regional or national policymakers might approach them, will be discussed. Because affordability of broadband is a major concern in all settings, some of the trade-offs and models that affect producer and consumer costs will be addressed. Cultivating digital literacy among different population groups, and how to involve educational and non-profit groups will be discussed, alongside the implications of maintaining competencies, training models, and technical assistance. Certain institutions, including health and education systems, and possibly libraries, community centers and other organizations may be critical sites for providing services that can develop broadband-based skills and uses, and the course will review some models for developing and supporting those institutions.
- This course is intended for people involved or interested in the policy and training issues facing the digital generation. It may be helpful for people involved in broadband deployment issues, local organizations charged with assisting people who desire more digital skills, and the tier of broadband providers working with localities on infrastructure, funding, and literacy matters.
- Upon completing the course, participants will have a greater understanding of the options for improving access and inclusion and for designing policies and programs that expand broadband options and offerings.
- We anticipate that many participants will have some understanding of the basic technical requirements for broadband connectivity and the alternative ways to think about funding and affordability, and come with some knowledge of policy processes most appropriate for their populations.