Assessing K-12 broadband needs: data and industry insights

The Internet has emerged as an indispensable tool in various facets of modern daily life. Within the realm of education, particularly in K-12 schools, its role is transformative and pivotal. The Internet’s integration has initiated a paradigm shift in the pedagogical landscape, offering an extensive array of educational resources. This transformation not only enriches the learning process but also introduces students to innovative modes of remote collaboration with peers on a global scale. Concurrently, educators increasingly rely on the Internet to access the most current and pertinent educational content, elevating the effectiveness, richness, and clarity of their instructional materials. This surge in usage has significantly increased the Internet’s role within K-12 educational settings, becoming a central catalyst in the educational development process. This paper aims to elucidate the driving forces behind this surge in Internet usage. It presents a comparative analysis of Internet utilization before and after the onset of the global pandemic, highlighting the evolution and impacts on educational practices within K-12 institutions.