Critical Review of Darling-Hammond’s Article on Educational
Equity and the Digital Divide
Assignment Instructions:
Choose one (1) of the articles listed below and write a three-four (3-4) page critical
review of the ideas expressed in the article. Your paper should include:
• A brief and concise summary of the educational issue the author focuses upon
including:
- A description of two (2) of the major points the author makes about the main issue.
- A description of two (2) of the recommendations the author makes about the main
issue.
- Connections to your prior experience or learning.
- A connection to one of the author’s main points based on your experience as an
educator, student, or parent.
- A connection to a scholarly source pertaining to one of the author’s main points.
(Touro Library)
- Your opinion on at least one of the author’s recommendations with reasons for your
response.
, Introduction
The article by Darling-Hammond (2021), titled *Educational equity and the digital
divide: Ensuring access to learning in a post-COVID world*, addresses the profound
inequities in education that became especially visible during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The article emphasizes that access to technology, internet connectivity, and high-quality
instruction are not equitably distributed across communities. This digital divide
disproportionately affects students of color, low-income families, and rural populations,
leading to systemic educational inequities. The author calls for significant reforms in both
policy and practice to ensure that all students have the tools necessary to succeed in a
digital learning environment.
Major Points
One major point Darling-Hammond makes is that the digital divide is more than just a
matter of internet connectivity; it also reflects deeper systemic inequities tied to race,
class, and geography. Students in underfunded schools are less likely to have access to
the devices, technical support, and instructional quality necessary for meaningful digital
learning. This inequity perpetuates existing achievement gaps.
A second major point is that teacher preparation and professional development are
essential to closing the equity gap. Technology alone cannot transform learning;
educators must be adequately trained to integrate digital tools effectively into pedagogy.
Without such training, even students with access to devices may not benefit equally from
digital learning environments.
Recommendations
One recommendation Darling-Hammond offers is that federal and state governments
must treat internet access as a public utility, similar to electricity or water. Universal
broadband is essential for ensuring that every child can participate in digital learning,
regardless of where they live or their family’s income level.
Equity and the Digital Divide
Assignment Instructions:
Choose one (1) of the articles listed below and write a three-four (3-4) page critical
review of the ideas expressed in the article. Your paper should include:
• A brief and concise summary of the educational issue the author focuses upon
including:
- A description of two (2) of the major points the author makes about the main issue.
- A description of two (2) of the recommendations the author makes about the main
issue.
- Connections to your prior experience or learning.
- A connection to one of the author’s main points based on your experience as an
educator, student, or parent.
- A connection to a scholarly source pertaining to one of the author’s main points.
(Touro Library)
- Your opinion on at least one of the author’s recommendations with reasons for your
response.
, Introduction
The article by Darling-Hammond (2021), titled *Educational equity and the digital
divide: Ensuring access to learning in a post-COVID world*, addresses the profound
inequities in education that became especially visible during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The article emphasizes that access to technology, internet connectivity, and high-quality
instruction are not equitably distributed across communities. This digital divide
disproportionately affects students of color, low-income families, and rural populations,
leading to systemic educational inequities. The author calls for significant reforms in both
policy and practice to ensure that all students have the tools necessary to succeed in a
digital learning environment.
Major Points
One major point Darling-Hammond makes is that the digital divide is more than just a
matter of internet connectivity; it also reflects deeper systemic inequities tied to race,
class, and geography. Students in underfunded schools are less likely to have access to
the devices, technical support, and instructional quality necessary for meaningful digital
learning. This inequity perpetuates existing achievement gaps.
A second major point is that teacher preparation and professional development are
essential to closing the equity gap. Technology alone cannot transform learning;
educators must be adequately trained to integrate digital tools effectively into pedagogy.
Without such training, even students with access to devices may not benefit equally from
digital learning environments.
Recommendations
One recommendation Darling-Hammond offers is that federal and state governments
must treat internet access as a public utility, similar to electricity or water. Universal
broadband is essential for ensuring that every child can participate in digital learning,
regardless of where they live or their family’s income level.
