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The 'digital divide' is often thought of asa single chasm, but as technology isubiquitous in daily life, describing thisgap becomes far more complex.
Researchers attempt to expand upon itby adding degrees to the divide. The firstand second are commonly known (seediagram) and more are emerging.1
Closing the Digital Divide through LEAP-Links (Digital Literacy)*
INTRODUCTION
Rebecca E. Turnbow Macquarie University, Widening Participation Unit, Sydney, NSW 2109
Maimuna Musarrat Macquarie University, Widening Participation Unit, Sydney, NSW 2109
Digital Divide
1st Degree
Limited access to
technology
Bandwidth
2nd Degree
Digital Skills
Technical Knowledge
Factors adding to the complexity of thedivide in the classroom include:▪ Social stereotypes surrounding
gender and technology;▪ Economic disparity; and▪ Social capital disparity.
Regional and remote schools face uniquechallenges in closing the divide resultingfrom geographical isolation, including:
• Single retail outlets to purchasecomputers or data plans;
• Little to no influx of new teachers;• Limited access to tech related
professional learning opportunitiesfor teachers; and
• Parents’ negative views regardingdevice use in classrooms. 2
RESEARCHDigital Divide
Regional Schools
In education, there is a gap in skillamong teachers, students, parents andadministrators, as well as betweenschools.
Complexity in Education
MethodOver two weeks, the WideningParticipation Unit recruited MacquarieUniversity students who graduated highschool in NSW to complete an onlinesurvey on the use of digital technologiesfor learning.
Findings
What digital skills do you wish youhad learned before coming touniversity?
“High School prepared me for thedigital technology requirements ofuniversity.”
Universities invest heavily in buildingrobust, technology-rich courses. Highschools simply do not have the time orscale to do so.
Further Debate
"Google docs could be used more athigh school, I didn't have many groupassignments at high school but googledrive & docs has become essential withcommunication at University." - Year 2University Student
"Uni seems to think we all know andare able to do, but it [sic] takes me acouple hours to find out what on earththey're talking about." - Year 3University Student
Our ProgramTo learn more about our program, LEAP-Links (Digital Literacy), contact us.Rebecca Turnbow, Project Coordinator(02) 9850 7335Muna Musarrat, Project Assistant(02) 9850 7347
What role do universities play inbridging the digital divide?
References1. Alam, K., & Salahuddin, M. (2015), Assessing Digital Divide and its Determinants: A Case Study of Households’ Perception in the Western Downs Region of Queensland, Australian Centre for Sustainable Business and Development, University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba.2. Turnbow, R., Masarrat, M. & Morrison, C. (2017) NPP LEAP Links (Digital Literacy): Preliminary Findings: Regional and Remote Teacher Interviews, Widening Participations Unit, Macquarie University. Unpublished raw data.
* Macquarie University’s Widening Participation Unit LEAP (Learning, Education, Aspiration and Participation) Digital Literacy program is funded by the Commonwealth Government's National Priorities Pool.
81 students completed the survey. 12were excluded because they completedHSC prior to 2012. We analysed data of69 students, nine graduating fromregional high schools and 60 frommetro area high schools in NSW.
• What support is need to ensure asmooth transition from high school tothe digital learning environment ofuniversity?
• Is this digital transition a key factor instudent success and retention?
Our aims are to understand theperceived digital competency ofstudents transitioning from high schoolinto university and to identify the gapsin key digital skills.
Strongly Agree
19%
Agree29%Neutral
32%
Disagree14%
Strongly Disagree
6%
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