Open Educational Resources and Bridging the Digital Divide: The Challenge of Developing Countries

Abstract

There is no argument that there is digital divide in especially in developing countries. This paper examines the concept of the digital divide in developing countries and examines the use of open educational resources to promote access and social inclusion. The digital divide goes beyond lack of access to computers and Internet connections. Bridging the digital divide encompasses a complex array of issues incorporating physical, digital, human, and social divides. Content and language, hardware, literacy and education, and community and institutional structures must all be taken into account if meaningful access to new technologies is to be provided. What role, then, can OER play in bridging the digital divide in developing countries? What are the challenges facing developing nations towards digital social inclusion using open educational resources? Learners do not need access only to the Internet and appropriate hardware, but also the familiarity with technology to make online learning work and access meaningful. What challenge do universities, governments and developing countries face in narrowing the divide without leaving behind some of the most disadvantaged groups? Can OERs address some of educational inequity in developing countries? // Paper ID: 409