Technology is a powerful tool to support learning in higher education. However, there is a technology gap that adversely affects some students. This gap is due to factors such as limited access to the Internet, lack of resources to purchase state-of-the-art computer equipment, and lack of basic computer skills to use technology. To bridge this gap and ensure that all students have an equitable learning experience, higher education faculty must take steps to take full advantage of technology.
One of the most effective ways to bridge the technology gap is to provide meaningful support for students to become familiar with technology. This includes providing specific training on the use of computer applications, use of the Internet, and web browsing. In addition, higher education teachers should also encourage the use of technology in the classroom by establishing a learning environment in which students are comfortable using technologies such as laptops, tablets and smartphones.
This can be a big change for professors, who can also promote the use of online resources as learning tools, allowing students to access information, resources and educational materials via the web. This will help them keep abreast of the latest trends and developments in higher education, and help them develop basic computer skills. Faculty can also provide assistance in using these resources, such as creating tutorials and online assistance in answering questions.
I have seen many students, faculty and administrators in various higher education institutions in Latin America say that they have a high level of IT skills, as they frequently use social networking applications, email and videoconferencing platforms. However, they have large gaps in the way they search for information online; they have difficulty distinguishing between useful or reliable information from that which is not, and then they have significant difficulties when looking for a practical and creative use of such information.
Therefore, we should not be fooled by the idea that more devices and cloud platforms turn institutions and their communities into more digital environments, but that this requires the development of new competencies, in a deeper way and with uses that allow us to expand human capabilities, instead of being simple replicators of information that today artificial intelligence can generate for us.
Finally, higher education professors must also encourage their students to use technology responsibly. This includes educating students about the safe use of technology, such as creating secure passwords and using anti-virus software. This will help ensure that students stay safe while using technology to support their education.
In summary, there are a number of ways that higher education faculty can help bridge the technology gap among students, however, it begs the question of whether today’s teachers truly have the digital knowledge and skills of the 21st century. Most likely, we need to get a little uncomfortable and look in the mirror to recognize how much has changed and how much we still need to adapt to achieve optimal results. This includes providing training in the use of technology, encouraging the use of online resources, and educating students, teachers, and administrators about the safe use of technology.
These measures will help ensure that the entire university community has an equitable and beneficial learning experience, taking advantage of the union between the creative capacity of human beings and the massive processing of new technologies.