Project Title:
Addressing Digital Access Gaps in Education [ADAGE]
Funding Program:
Connecting Minority Communities Program
Project Purpose/Type:
The University of Massachusetts Boston (UMass Boston)’s "Addressing Digital Access Gaps in Education" (ADAGE) project aims to expand the campus infrastructure to provide educational content in a synchronous online modality, to expand a loaner program for hubs and end devices, and to deliver content intended to create workforce and career pathway awareness.
City/Town/Service Area:
State(s):
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$2,970,106.00Funding Amount$2,970,106.00Total Project Cost0.00Non-Federal Cost Share
The ADAGE project has three components. First, UMass Boston will expand the campus infrastructure put in place to redress the constraints of the pandemic, specifically relating to retrofitting classrooms to enhance and provide educational content in a synchronous online modality. Next, the university will implement the Digital Inclusion Program, which will effectively deliver content through HyFlex broadband availability and provide equitable access and equipment. Lastly, the university will deliver content intended to create workforce and career pathway awareness through cyber and IT skills training.
As a result of implementing activities in component one, classrooms will be retrofitted for UMass Boston students to attend and access courses from on or off-campus. The HyFlex model will also be an effective student success initiative in many classes, promoting both resilience and student autonomy and increasing retention. As a result of component two activities, minority families who do not have access to the internet will be connected and provided technology equipment to allow students to access the internet from home or from any location that has Wi-Fi. Finally, the last component will stimulate the adoption and community use of broadband, provide awareness, and build digital skills and IT workforce capacity.
The ADAGE will benefit students, faculty, and minority students at UMass Boston and students within the community in Boston, MA. UMass Boston will bridge the digital divide by providing technology equipment to students and retrofitting classrooms with HyFlex technology to support online modality instruction. Digital skills building and training will increase awareness and broadband education creating a stronger workforce and career pathway for many individuals.
The recipient does not intend to subaward funds.
The applicant does not fund a consortia. The applicant’s activities do occur in the surrounding anchor communities. Details of community involvement are described below.