A Survey on Existing Digital Divide between Teachers and Students of Girl Schools in Astara County

Abstract

This research project aims to study the digital divide between teachers and female students of state-run high schools of Astara. The survey research method was used for this research. The information was collected through two researcher developed questionnaires: one related to teachers and the other one related to students. All the teachers and female students of staterun high schools of Astara formed the statistical population of this research project which included 94 teachers and 432 students. The statistical population was selected according to Krejcie and Morgan table and through simple one-step random sampling. The findings of the research showed that that although teachers have more expertise of information and communication technologies than students, teachers and students possess the same amount of hardware facilities. There is a significant difference between students' using of information and communication technologies and that of teachers: students use information and communication technologies more than teachers. Teachers' level of education does not affect their possession and using of information and communication technologies. In general, the results of the research showed that there was a digital divide between teachers and students. In order to remove or reduce this divide and develop educational knowledge and technology, it is required to change and improve the structure, organization and the methods of our country's educational system. Keywords: digital divide, information and communication technology, Teachers, Students, Schools, Astara International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social SciencesNovember 2013, Vol. 3, No. 11 ISSN: 2222 357 www.hrmars.com/journals IntroductionIn knowledge-oriented society of today, humankind is passing a deep evolution. Not only this evolution covers technology, devices and environment, but also includes our lifestyle and fundamental concepts of life, from concept of work to the concept of education, which all have experienced major changes. ( Tatabayi Ariani, 1381). Major changes that have happened recently, have essentially changed societies in many ways. These changes have caused significant changes in educational systems: Educational patters have turned schools to learningoriented patterns and have initiated an era of digital instruction; an era in which learning has made its way outside schools and universities and is accessible from home, workplace and other places. In fact, all of these changes are the results of growth of communicative technologies. ( Battro, 1384: 16) With emergence of new technologies, the profession of teaching has changes from being teacher-oriented and oration-based instruction to pervasive-oriented and cooperative learning environment. It should be noted it is individuals who change the instruction not technology and first of all, teachers should become an effective and efficient force. Therefore, just using the technology s not important; teachers should also consider thinking methods which are usually pr...

Investigation of Current Digital Divide Between University Lecturers and Students in the English as a Foreign Language Context in North Bali

“…Thus, lecturers' computers had more complete features such as burning optical disks, connecting to the internet, and webcam. This finding is in line with findings found by Khalid (2011) and Masoumeh et al (2013), in which teachers had greater access to ICT hardware. Masoumeh et al (2013) and Gunduz (2010) further explained that the digital divide in terms of access could come from differences in socio-economic status between the lecturers and the students.…”

“…This finding is in line with findings found by Khalid (2011) and Masoumeh et al (2013), in which teachers had greater access to ICT hardware. Masoumeh et al (2013) and Gunduz (2010) further explained that the digital divide in terms of access could come from differences in socio-economic status between the lecturers and the students. While teachers' incomes were at the same level from one to another, the students might come from families with different levels of socio-economic status regarding minimal access to ICT.…”

“…All of the lecturers (100%) had access to that three hardware on the campus, while 41% of the students had no access to campus printers, 38.5% of the students had no access to campus scanners, and 41% of the students did not have access to the optical disc burner. This finding is in line with Masoumeh et al's (2013) findings that revealed that a high percentage of students had low access to computers at home, and a small percentage of students had access to school. However, in terms of access to the computer, the present study revealed that the percentage of students having a computer at home is relatively high (87.5%), showing an increase in ICT access.…”

“…An online survey consisting of 19 questions was addressed for the students and the lecturers regarding their ownership of ICT tools and 18 questions regarding their activities online. The questions for the questionnaire followed the survey constructed by Masoumeh et al (2013). The participants' consent was gained by sending a consent letter requesting their consent to participate in this study.…”

“…The participants' consent was gained by sending a consent letter requesting their consent to participate in this study. The questions for the questionnaire followed the survey constructed by Masoumeh et al (2013) in the study entitled A Survey on Existing Digital Divide between Teachers and Students of Girl Schools in Astara County. The questionnaire contained items asking the use of oldfashioned technology since the research subject might still use them, such as using the MP3 player in listening courses.…”