College students are flocking to McDonald’s and Starbucks this fall. But not for Big Macs or lattes. What students are looking for this semester isn’t on the menu; it’s the WiFi.
Students who lack access to reliable and affordable WiFi and laptops often suffer setbacks in learning because they can’t access or complete coursework at home. This is known as a “homework gap,” and it’s been exacerbated by the pandemic. But worse, it’s become an education gap, where students struggle in all aspects of their education because they are more likely to be learning at home. And while this term typically relates to K-12 students, many college students are suffering from similar challenges as colleges have moved instruction online due to the coronavirus.
In a recent survey from New America and Third Way, 57 percent of college students said that accessing a stable, high-speed internet connection has been challenging as their education shifted online. A third of those students said it was a particularly big challenge.