The Effect of Digital Divide during a Digitised Education System on Delivering Quality Education in South Africa

Description

Page: 354-363

Meagabo Albertina Ramakgolo and Eric Blanco Niyitunga (School of Public Management, Governance and Public Policy, College of Business and Economic, University of Johannesburg, South Africa)

Teaching and learning methods have changed as a result of the incorporation of technology into educational systems. To improve teaching and learning activities, educational institutions are now implementing technologies like computers and the Internet. However, the digital divide has prevented technology use from fulfilling its original purpose. The objective of this research is to evaluate how the digital divide impacts the delivery of quality education in South Africa within a digitalised educational system. A survey questionnaire using a quantitative approach was conducted among students from the University of Johannesburg in their 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th years. The research pointed out that ongoing digitized learning systems are reducing the digital divide, which includes digital access, digital capability, and digital outcome disparities. The extensive institutional support given to students is reducing the digital gap.