Question: How has the integration of laptops/devices affected the digital divide in rural communities when paired with digital literacy?
The digital divide is a multifaceted issue, especially in rural communities in northern BC, and a possible solution is to add new technology into the mix. While access to technology is important to conquer the divide, pairing it with digital literacy and the appropriate apps creates more meaningful and longer-lasting results. In this paper, I will endeavour to clearly define the access to technology aspect of the digital divide as it presents and affects student learning in rural communities with populations under 1500; the necessity of digital literacy as it pertains to the usage of introduced technology, and a definition of a wired district as a case study of the previous two points.
Topic 1
~different aspects of the digital divide and why I chose to focus on access to technology
~effects of access to technology on student success
Topic 2
~definition and application of digital literacy
Topic 3
~review and critique of Wireless Writers Program (focus on Fort St John, BC)
~how the program fits under the umbrella of constructivism and connectivism
References
Barter, B. (2013). Rural Schools and Technology: Connecting for Innovation. Australian and International Journal of Rural Education, 23(3), 46–62.
B.C. Government. (n.d.). BC’s digital literacy framework. https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/education/kindergarten-to-grade-12/teach/teaching-tools/digital-literacy-framework.pdf
Kirkwood, A., & Price, L. (2013, June 4). Examining some assumptions and limitations of research on the effects of emerging technologies for teaching and learning in higher education. British Journal of Educational Technology, 44(4), 536–543. https://doi.org/10.1111/bjet.12049
Mott, J. (2010). Envisioning the post-LMS era: The open learning network. Educause Quarterly, 33(1), 1–9. https://er.educause.edu/articles/2010/3/envisioning-the-postlms-era-the-open-learning-network
Peace River North – School District 60 . (n.d.). Curriculum with Technology. Retrieved from https://www.prn.bc.ca/programs/curriculum-with-technology/#:~:text=The%20Wireless%20Writing%20Program%20(WWP)%20is%20designed%20to%20improve%20student,integral%20part%20of%20the%20program.
Traxler, J. (2007). Defining, discussing and evaluating mobile learning: The moving finger writes and having writ …. The International Review of Research in Open and Distributed Learning, 8(2). http://dx.doi.org/10.19173/irrodl.v8i2.346
Young, N. (Host). (2018, October 21). The digital divide leaves more Canadians offline than you think [Audio podcast episode]. In Spark with Nora Young. CBC Radio One. https://www.cbc.ca/listen/shows/spark/segment/15617082
June 3, 2022 at 8:31 am
Kate-Nicola you have a great topic here.
Mid-March, 2020 the covid-19 pandemic strikes! It brought to light major equity issues such as what you have stated the lack of access to technology and internet in rural communities. Furthermore, I believe we can say that the lack of access to technology and internet in rural communications does not exercise democracy in education and there is a need to make it more equitable in rural communities.
June 5, 2022 at 11:33 pm
Hi Kate-Nicola,
This expansion on your initial research question helps to set some boundaries and give an expected direction to your research. I would continue to present a clear research question when you do this work. I can see it in your post here but you want to avoid it turning into a plan of work.
When you talk about technology, do you mean hardware, software or both? Or do you include internet access, speed and reliability?
June 9, 2022 at 1:46 pm
I’m embarrassed to say, I didn’t know much about the digital divide in Canada until this course. I’m not sure I understand your question. Are you saying that schools who have unreliable internet access were given laptops? I assume students have limited usability without internet but the computers could help teach basic digital literacy skills I suppose.
Or do the students now have access to the internet because they have laptops that can connect? I’ll look forward to you Blog Post 3 to further understand the context.