Education Rebooted - E-Learning and Digital Divide: A Study on Gandhi Vidya Mandir (GVM) Group of Schools, Sardarshahr

Education

Education is often seen as a itinerary to full participation in society, and widening inclusion in education and enduring learning as a way of including those who are currently excluded from many of the benefits of society. The use of ICTs (e-learning) is perceived by national governments and academic institutions as a means of widening partaking in education by enabling participation by diversified students. E-learning is perceived as lowering hurdles of time and place to enable students to attend comprehensive education while accessing resources at a time and place of their choosing. Yet, there is dissonance between the espoused belief of governments and academic institutions, in e-learning as a means of widening participation, and the reality of e-learning implementation. The digital divide refers to the gap between those who have access to the information technology, and those who do not. This research finds that the digital divide is not adequately addressed adequately, with some students financially unable to afford technology and broadband access, others lack the skills to engage with learning technology, and some are culturally less able to benefit from technological fortification. It also finds gender and generational differences disenfranchising some students. In order to address this situation it will be necessary to first acknowledge that the problem exists and unexplored its reasons.

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