Abstract
The location of schools influences the degree to which teachers make use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) resources in their classrooms for teaching and learning practices. Rural and underserved community schools, especially in developing nations, struggle with the lack of Internet connectivity and ICT availability and usage. In these communities, the lack of digital skills among teachers can further increase educational inequities. This research evaluates the effectiveness of the Internet Backpack, a tool which provides Internet access, which was deployed during a teacher professional development workshop in a rural community in Ghana. Using an explanatory sequential mixed-methods approach, the study provides insights into how rural teachers leverage Internet usage for teaching and learning. The participants were teachers from public and private schools, ranging from kindergarten to junior high school. The findings underscore the positive influence of Internet usage in enhancing the digital capabilities of rural teachers, which is crucial for bridging digital divides and improving educational outcomes in these communities. The study offers valuable insights for policymakers and practitioners seeking strategies to empower rural and underserved teachers through digital capacity building, contributing to ongoing discourses on digital empowerment in education, particularly in rural and underserved communities in developing countries.
Presenters
Jane Appiah-OkyereStudent, Doctor of Professional Studies, Syracuse University, New York, United States Lee Mc Knight
Associate Professor, School of Information Studies, Syracuse University, New York, United States Ephrem Kwaku Kwaa Aidoo
Senior Lecturer, ICT Education, University of Education, Winneba, Ghana Erika Mamley Osae
Research Fellow, Business Administration, University of Professional Studies, Accra, Ghana Danielle Smith
Professor, Renee Crown University Honors Program, Syracuse University, New York, United States
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
KEYWORDS
GHANA, TEACHER PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT, RURAL EDUCATION, INTERNET BACKPACK, DIGITAL INCLUSION
