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ODL and the Impact of Digital Divide on Information Access in Botswana

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dc.creator Olugbade Oladokun
dc.creator Lenrie Aina
dc.date 2011-10-01T00:00:00Z
dc.date.accessioned 2015-08-12T11:21:08Z
dc.date.available 2015-08-12T11:21:08Z
dc.identifier 1492-3831
dc.identifier https://doaj.org/article/90e9f23446a64f2fb33c41ea3efa92f7
dc.identifier.uri http://evidence.thinkportal.org/handle/123456789/28723
dc.description Open and distance learning (ODL) has created room for the emergence of virtual education. Not only are students found everywhere and anywhere undertaking their studies and earning their degrees, but geographical boundaries between nations no longer appear to have much relevance. As the new education paradigm irretrievably alters the way teaching and learning is conducted, the application of modern educational ICTs has a major role to play.With students of transnational or cross-border education dispersed into various nooks and crannies of Botswana, many others enlist for the “home-baked” distance learning programmes from their diverse locations. Like the face-to-face conventional students, distance learners also have information needs which have to be met. But blocking the distance learners’ realization of their information needs is the digital divide, which further marginalizes the underclass of “info-poor.”The survey method was used, and a questionnaire administered to 519 students of four tertiary level distance teaching institutions that met the criteria set for the study yielded a 70.1% response rate. The results showed that while the Government of Botswana has made considerable effort to ensure country-wide access to ICT, which now constitutes an effective instrument for meeting information needs, a number of problems still exist. The factors impeding easy access are unearthed. The findings of an empirical study portraying some learners as information-rich and others as information-poor, and the consequence of distance learners studying on both sides of the digital divide, are discussed. Suggestions on bridging the digital divide are offered.
dc.language English
dc.publisher Athabasca University
dc.relation http://www.irrodl.org/index.php/irrodl/article/view/1053/1959
dc.relation https://doaj.org/toc/1492-3831
dc.rights CC BY
dc.source International Review of Research in Open and Distance Learning, Vol 12, Iss 6 (2011)
dc.subject Distance learners
dc.subject cross-border students
dc.subject digital divide
dc.subject information environment
dc.subject ICTs
dc.subject library/librarian
dc.subject Internet service providers (ISP)
dc.subject data service providers (DSP)
dc.subject information literacy skills (ILS)
dc.subject online
dc.subject Special aspects of education
dc.subject LC8-6691
dc.subject Education
dc.subject L
dc.subject DOAJ:Education
dc.subject DOAJ:Social Sciences
dc.subject Special aspects of education
dc.subject LC8-6691
dc.subject Education
dc.subject L
dc.subject DOAJ:Education
dc.subject DOAJ:Social Sciences
dc.subject Special aspects of education
dc.subject LC8-6691
dc.subject Education
dc.subject L
dc.subject Special aspects of education
dc.subject LC8-6691
dc.subject Education
dc.subject L
dc.subject Special aspects of education
dc.subject LC8-6691
dc.subject Education
dc.subject L
dc.title ODL and the Impact of Digital Divide on Information Access in Botswana
dc.type article


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