Digital or Divided?
Broadband access and digital devices are a hidden cost of Inclusive Access, which can widen the digital divide.
Inclusive Access is a “digital first” model, where all students are billed for online content that is delivered automatically by the first day of class. While all students pay the same price for the same materials, their learning experience varies widely by factors including where they live, what devices they can afford, how they prefer to read, and how they access the internet.
While some Inclusive Access publishers offer discounted print options, the cost is on top of the fee students already pay. Some publisher contracts place limits on how many students can access a print copy, sometimes as low as 15% of the class. There are also heavy restrictions on printing pages from the digital copy. The one-size-fits-all approach of Inclusive Access can deepen the already existing digital divide.
Student Access to Fast and Reliable Internet Connections
Today’s students may be the most tech-savvy in history, but the reality is that many struggle with internet access. A 2021 study by the Institute for Higher Education Policy found that more than 1 in 4 students only had fast and reliable internet access some of the time or less. While many of these students said they could access course content, they reported that it could be slow or difficult.
Further Reading
Online Isn't Optional: Student Polling on Access to Internet and Devices (Institute for Higher Education Policy, May 2021)