Digital apartheid and the effect of mobile technology during rural fieldwork

Abstract

Fourth year occupational therapy students at the University of the Witwatersrand attend a three-week rural fieldwork placement. During this time, they are in a resource-limited environment with limited access to their usual Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) in a blended learning curriculum, thereby contributing to 'digital apartheid' between students from different socioeconomic backgrounds. This study investigates the effect of mobile technology during rural fieldwork to address 'digital apartheid'. A self-reporting pre-test post-test survey design was used. Students self-evaluated their understanding of fieldwork learning objectives at the start of the year and again midyear. Rural fieldwork marks were collected midy ear. The experimental group (n 1 =13) accessed the VLE via the mobile technology, whereas the control group (n 0 =7) did not. Data were analysed for significance and effect size. While there was no significant difference in the student marks (p=0.27), there was a significant effect on self-evaluated knowledge gain for the experimental group's rural fieldwork learning objectives (d=2.02) which was a notably larger effect size than their other fieldwork learning objectives (d=1.36) and that of the control group's learning objectives. The use of mobile technology during rural fieldwork was a successful strategy towards 'digital democracy' by allowing students equal access to access the VLE.

Editorial Comment

“…In this edition, we feature two articles 1,2 which focus on the 'newage' digital environment within which our education of students is based. The questions raised are: are we prepared for this, and more importantly, are we prepared to adapt the way we teach (both in the classroom and in the clinical field) in order to meet the learning demands of this generation?…”

“…Can we tailor their virtual learning environment to meet the demands of all fieldwork placements? As pointed out by Barnard-Ashton et.al 2 , such endeavours would warrant an analysis of cost benefits to determine if the expenses are justified. I believe that such an investment would yield many benefits not only for our students, but especially for our profession's future.…”