Educating Minoritized Students in the United States During COVID-19: How Technology Can be Both the Problem and the Solution

The COVID-19 pandemic has had major implications on socially vulnerable populations, especially minoritized populations. This article examines how technology-mediated learning can both operate as a tool to rectify inequities and a weapon that antagonizes existing divides for socially disadvantaged minoritized Black students. In analyzing this subsection of the population, we discuss technology-mediated learning during the pandemic and access problems that arise due to socially disadvantaged students' systematic inequalities. This article finds that technology is an essential tool that can be a solution to help rectify inequalities during crisis, coupled with models of success and future research.

Globally and in the United States, the COVID-19 crisis has had a catastrophic impact on students. The delivery of education has been significantly altered, stalled, or even nonexistent. The US Census Bureau found that 4.4 million households with students lack consistent computer access and 3.7 million lack internet access. Recent literature addresses the intersection of COVID-19, education, and technology, illuminating many issues and unmet needs. Connectivity and access issues abound and are complicated by differences in digital access at geographical, community, and household levels.