Digital divide among undergraduate students during the covid-19 era A case study of the Ghana Institute of Journalism

Abstract

Digital divide is the gap in social and economic equality that occurs when some segments of a given population do not have equal access to Information and Communications Technology (ICTs) and reliable high-speed internet service. The digital divide is problematic because it creates a disparity in social and economic opportunities between people who have access to ICTs and those who do not. This study investigates digital divide among undergraduate students of the Ghana Institute of Journalism (GIJ) during the COVID-19 era. The study also examines the forms of digital divide, the strategies deployed by the students in response to the forms of digital divide encountered as well as the implications of the divide on students’ learning at GIJ. The study applied the Resources and Appropriation Theory of the Diffusion, Acceptance and Adoption of New Technologies to help explore the phenomenon of digital divide encountered by undergraduate university students. The study used the qualitative approach, employed the case study design and gathered data through interviews and focus group discussions conducted with students of GIJ. The study found that access, usage, financial, connectivity and motivation divides were faced by the students. The study also found that while some students sought for information as a strategy to curb the digital divide encountered, others saved money, relocated to areas with stable internet connectivity and some others motivated themselves. The study also revealed unfair competitive advantage, poor performance, lack of understanding and inconvenience in learning as some of the implications of the divide among students. The study concludes that indeed digital divide exists among undergraduate students of GIJ and it may deepen if effective measures are not put in place. The study recommends that students, universities and governments should all make a conscious effort and collaborate productively at all times to help curb the divide.