Digital equity: A social justice issue for staff, not just students

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference PaperOther

Abstract

It can be forgotten that it is not simply students who face the challenges of digital equity in higher education. Staff can also face digital challenges, and employment at an institution is not necessarily a safety net to protect staff from the digital divide. This paper attempts to give this voice to this issue. The digital equity challenges that they may face can range from internet accessibility, diversity in skills, or access to the required equipment and software, including necessary upgrades. This process is, however, is compounded when staff are geographically dispersed from the institution, disconnected by time, or where access to technology and Internet connectivity varies greatly between the institution's sites. Much of these issues can be beyond the control and capacity of staff to alter. However, in terms of a staff-led approach to address such issues and empower others, a robust professional development program on digital technology is but one means to help stem the digital divide between staff 'haves' and 'have nots'.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationascilite2015: Conference Proceedings
EditorsT Reiners, B R von Konsky, D Gibson, V Chang, L Irving, K Clarke
Place of PublicationPerth WA Australia
PublisherCurtin University
Pages604-607
Number of pages4
Publication statusPublished - 2015
EventAnnual Conference of the Australasian Society for Computers in Learning in Tertiary Education 2015 - Curtin University, Perth, Australia
Duration: 29 Nov 20152 Dec 2015
Conference number: 32nd
http://www.2015conference.ascilite.org/
http://www.2015conference.ascilite.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/ascilite-2015-proceedings.pdf (Conference Proceedings)

Conference

ConferenceAnnual Conference of the Australasian Society for Computers in Learning in Tertiary Education 2015
Abbreviated titleASCILITE 2015
Country/TerritoryAustralia
CityPerth
Period29/11/152/12/15
Internet address

Keywords

  • Digital divide
  • Digital equity
  • Educational equity
  • Educational technology
  • Higher education
  • Professional development
  • Social justice

Cite this