How can students go from technology consumers to creators?

The digital divide in education is closing, and technology has become a pervasive part of a student’s life — both at home and in the classroom. Nearly every teenager has access to a smartphone, and 40 percent of school districts now provide a 1:1 ratio of devices per student.

But even though the quantity of digital devices per student has increased, there are questions about the quality of time spent on those devices. The lack of quality opportunities for students to use technology to enhance their learning and develop skills is what’s known as the participation gap.

“Most of our teens have access to technology — they’re tech savvy, they have phones, and they know how to use those phones to consume content,” says Belinda Harris, lead program designer at Verizon Innovative Learning Labs & Curriculum. “But they haven’t yet connected the dots between using the tech and careers. So we want to make sure that all of our students are prepared for the careers of the future.”

Verizon Innovative Learning Labs (VIL) is working to close the participation gap before it even begins by not only providing access to technology, but also the education on how to use technology in a meaningful way. “It’s the difference between simply being consumers of digital content and being creators,” she says.

The program combines a tech-driven STEM curriculum with professional learning in a custom-designed lab space. It exposes students to emerging technology and challenges them to think about using technology to create, not just consume.

“Teaching students how to use technology isn’t just an add-on anymore,” Harris says. “It’s the foundation of their education.”