VISION HACK

WHAT IS THE DIGITAL DIVIDE?The term "digital divide" is used to describe the gap between those who have adequate broadband internet access and those who do not. This divide is manifestedthrough three distinct barriers—digital access, digital design, and digital use:Thedigital access dividerefers to the “inequitable access to connectivity, devices, and digital content.”Thedigital design dividerefers to the inequitable access to professional learning for educators to build their “capacity to design learning experiences” that use technology in meaningful ways.Thedigital use dividerefers to the inequitable implementation of assignments and learning experiences that utilize technology in meaningful ways.Why We Are HereThis hackathon exists to close the digital divide by moving beyond the idea that the problem is only about internet access or devices. The digital divide also includes whether people have access to well-designed learning experiences and whether technology is being used in ways that create real opportunity. We are here to build practical, creative, and community-centered solutions that make technology more accessible, more meaningful, and more empowering for students, educators, workers, families, and communities in Los Angeles.The challenge is rooted in three parts of the digital divide:Digital Access Divide— unequal access to reliable internet, devices, and digital contentDigital Design Divide— unequal access to training and support that helps educators and leaders design meaningful technology-enabled experiencesDigital Use Divide— unequal access to high-quality opportunities to use technology in ways that build skills, solve problems, and create mobilityThis hackathon is a call to action. We are here because too many communities in Los Angeles are still excluded from the full benefits of the digital age. We believe innovators, students, technologists, creatives, and community leaders can work together to design solutions that do more than increase access—they can expand opportunity.What We Should BuildParticipants should build solutions that directly address one or more parts of the digital divide. Projects should be realistic, useful, and designed with the needs of real people in mind. Strong ideas may include:tools that improve access to devices, connectivity, or digital resourcesplatforms that help educators design better tech-enabled learning experiencesapplications that help students or community members use technology for learning, workforce development, civic engagement, health, creativity, or entrepreneurshipsystems that make digital experiences more inclusive, accessible, and culturally relevantsolutions that help communities in Los Angeles turn technology into real-world outcomes such as employment, education, income growth, or community participationProjects should not just use technology for the sake of technology. They should solve a real problem, serve a clear audience, and demonstrate how they can reduce barriers to access, design, or use.Guiding Question for TeamsHow might we create technology-driven solutions that close the digital divide by improving access, strengthening design, and expanding meaningful use for communities in Los Angeles?