The Digital Divide? Analyzing Regional Differences of Tablet PC Use in Korean Middle Schools for Sustainable Development

Keol Lim, Yujin Kim, Minyoung Kim, Yoonho Jang and Min-Ho Joo
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Keol Lim: Department of Educational Technology, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Korea
Yujin Kim: Department of Educational Technology, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Korea
Minyoung Kim: Department of Educational Technology, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Korea
Yoonho Jang: Department of Educational Technology, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Korea
Min-Ho Joo: Department of Educational Technology, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Korea

Sustainability, 2019, vol. 11, issue 18, 1-14

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of digital learning environments using tablet Personal Computers (PCs) in Korean metropolitan and rural middle schools. After 12 weeks of professional development for six teachers to enhance ICT and instructional design competency, 48 metropolitan and 63 rural students participated in learning with tablet PCs in English, science, and social studies subjects for 12 weeks. As a result, teachers’ various experiences of changes and challenges in digital learning environments were qualitatively analyzed and described. Also, quantitative measurements of students’ self-regulated learning abilities, collaborative learning disposition, and learning satisfaction were conducted and findings indicated that rural students showed significant differences compared to urban students in all three variables. Based on the results, educational implications and suggestions are discussed.

Keywords: ICT; tablet PC; digital divide; regional differences; middle school (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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