The Evolving Digital Divide: A Case Study of In-Person Technology Conditions After Pandemic Shifts to Distanced Education

• Main Author: Roth, Ian
• Format: Dissertation
• Language: English
• Published: ProQuest Dissertations & Theses 01.01.2024
• Subjects: Educational leadership; Educational technology; Social research
• ISBN: 9798382579566

This case study explored how the digital divide in educational technology access and usage evolved due to the instructional shifts during the COVID-19 pandemic. The digital divide has been researched for decades, yet inequities continue to exist in the technological experiences of varying school settings. Some scholars suggested that the profession would be transformed by the pandemic. There is little research that explores how the shifts to Emergency Remote Teaching (ERT) and Hybrid Instruction have impacted the current use and access of technology in the current, transitioned shift back to in-person learning. This research aims to examine how the pandemic has impacted technology access and use in various school settings. Data was collected from educational professionals in schools across two different settings: less-resourced and more-resourced. Surveys, one-on-one interviews, and a focus group were used to gather data from participants in the case settings. The theoretical framework used was Fullan (1985) theory of educational change. Major findings include that technology access to devices, the internet, integration support, and applications have improved in both case settings - but some divides between these case settings still exist. Moreover, the pandemic changed how technology is being integrated for in-person learning across both case settings, and initiatives started during the pandemic sustained to current practices. The findings of this study provide needed insight into the status of the ongoing digital divide in education, giving educational scholars, teachers, leaders, and policymakers a necessary update on the longer-term impacts of the instructional shifts.