Published on June 2022 | Education Management

Bridging the Digital Divide in Distance Education

The COVID-19 pandemic has created havoc across the globe, irrespective of governments, industries, and societies. The education sector is one of the most extensively affected by the global health crisis, manifesting expansive negative consequences to learners from various age groups and socioeconomic statuses. Despite the predicaments posed by the pandemic, academic institutions continue to provide education through a distance learning approach. However, the educational disruptions have underscored the lack of digital resources and competencies, excluding poor and unconnected students. Likewise, transitioning to remote education exposed the digital divide and inequalities that have been neglected for a long time. If the ultimate objective is to provide distance education, it is vital to devise solutions to problems faced by underprivileged students. This chapter investigates these challenges that impede the successful adoption of distance education and offers strategies to counter the disruptions as it seems apparent that online education is here to stay