Speaker
Description
Filani, J. B.
Federal College of Education, Abeokuta
bfilani@yahoo.com
Track: Inclusion, Equity and Digital Access
The Effect Of Inequalities In Access To Digital Infrastructure On The Learning Outcomes Of Tertiary Institution Students In Abeokuta, Nigeria And The Counselling Implications.
Abstract
The rapid expansion of online learning, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic, has exposed the inequalities and highlighted the urgent need for strategies that promote digital inclusion; despite improvements in technological infrastructure, significant disparities persist in access to devices and internet services, especially among disadvantaged learners. Therefore, bridging the digital divide is therefore essential for efficient learning outcomes, quality teaching and learning as well as overall educational development. This study was carried out to investigate the effect of inequalities in access to digital infrastructure on the learning outcome of tertiary institution students in Abeokuta, Nigeria and the Counselling implications. The study Participants were one hundred and ten (110) respondents consisting of thirty four females and seventy six males selected through stratified random sampling technique from four tertiary institutions within Abeokuta metropolis in South-Western Nigeria. Two hypotheses were postulated and tested using student t-test at 0.05 level of significance. Findings showed significant difference in learning outcome of undergraduates based on their access to technological infrastructure while there was no significant main effect of gender on learning outcomes of in male and female undergraduates. Consequently, it was recommended among others that, tertiary institutions should collaborate with governments, telecommunications companies, and development agencies to improve internet connectivity and provide affordable access to digital devices. Also, Investments in campus-wide broadband services, digital laboratories, and subsidized internet packages should be given a significant attention to reduce access-related inequalities so as to improve academic engagement and learning outcomes. Also, the findings portend some implications for counselling which were essentially discussed.
Keywords: Inequalities, Access, Digital infrastructure, Learning outcome, Tertiary institution Students.