Exploring Parents' Access, Beliefs, and Use of Educational Technology Across a Community-Wide Broadband Initiative

• In Event: Achieving Equity Through Inclusivity: Measuring the Perspectives of Students, Staff, and Parents

Abstract

In the aftermath of COVID-19 school closures, parents, educational technology, and other home factors have played an increasing role in student support and success. As part of a larger evaluation study on the equity and impacts of the nation’s largest community broadband initiative, this paper investigates the relationship between access, beliefs, and parents’ use of educational technology over two years. Surveying a random sample of over 400 households plus a series of in-depth longitudinal interviews with twelve families, results show most parents actively engaged and positively valued several aspects of technology applied to support their child’s learning. Moreover, initial results indicate provision of broadband access also had a statistically significant impact on parent uses of technology.

Authors

• Damian J. Bebell, Boston College
  Presenting Author

• Zhexun Xin, Boston College
  Presenting Author

• Gareth Cleveland, Boston College
  Presenting Author

• Mike K. Russell, Boston College
  Presenting Author

• Jennifer Ellis, University of Tennessee - Chattanooga
  Presenting Author