Course:LIBR559A/Wu, T., Chen, M., Yeh, Y., Wang, H., & Chang, S. C. (2014). Is digital divide an issue for students with learning disabilities? Computers in Human Behavior,39, 112-117. doi:10.1016/j.chb.2014.06.024
Citation
Wu, T., Chen, M., Yeh, Y., Wang, H., & Chang, S. C. (2014). Is digital divide an issue for students with learning disabilities? Computers in Human Behavior,39, 112-117. doi:10.1016/j.chb.2014.06.024
Purpose of article
The purpose of this study was to determine if a digital divide exists between elementary aged school children with learning disabilities and their non-disabled peers. The study also assessed the students ICT competency. This particular study was completed in Taiwan.
Main Argument(s) and supporting evidence
The results of the study indicate that there is no significant difference in the opportunity to access ICT both in the home and at schools. What they did find is that there was a significant difference in the competencies between the two groups of students. It was also found that students without learning disabilities were able to improve their competencies continuously while the students with the learning disabilities would plateau in their use of ITC. The findings support the authors argument that the provision of access to ICT does not sufficiently support children with learning disabilities.
Method(s)
The authors designed and administered a self-reported questionnaire to students in equal numbers of students with and without learning disabilities. The questionnaire asked the students questions regarding access to ICT, ICT competencies, the level of participation of elementary school students with ICT.
Areas / Topics / Keywords
Digital divide Students with learning disabilities Information and communication technology (ICT) ICT access ICT competency
Definitions of Key Concepts
Digital Divide - Is not simply the divide between the haves and the have-nots, but is more a matter of both access and the ability to use ICT.
Learning Disabilities - “A group of disorders that affect the ability to acquire or use listening, speaking, concentration, reading, writing, reasoning , or math skills (Wu et al. pg.113).”
ICT – Information and communication technologies including those used in everyday life as well as in the classroom.
Access – The ability to physically obtain ICT.
Competency – The ability to use ICT successfully and effectively.
Novel ideas
The results of this study differ from the findings of previous studies which claimed that students with LD had less access to ICT. This study puts attention on the fact that students with learning disabilities require more support in the use of ICT as its results demonstrate that there is no difference in access between students with or without learning disabilities but there was a difference in their competency. The results of this study allow educators to better focus their efforts on improving programming for students with learning disabilities to bridge the digital divide rather than splitting or possibly misplacing their focus on access to ICT for these students
limitations
The sample size for the study is fairly small. Additionally students with learning disabilities are read the questionnaire by their instructors to ensure they understand the questions; however this could influence the results of the questionnaire as there is no consistency in how the questions are explained to the student.
Potential Contributions
This study will allow librarians to better focus their efforts in the development of programs with in the library which teach ICT skills. They will be in a better place to develop a program suited for all learning capabilities or to create more focused programs.
Link
Page Author: Pauline Richer