Exploring Equitable Technology Use in Higher Education
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Zachary Capote
CoPIs:
Nalani Velez, Eric Gonzalez, Christopher McGuire, Sandra Bulus
College:
The College of Health Professions and Human Services
Major:
Occupational Therapy
Faculty Research Advisor(s):
Victor Camacho
Abstract:
Limited research has been given to exploring how technology impacts higher education students, in contrast to previous focus on primary and secondary education within the literature. While younger students often receive support for equitable technology access through public funds, those in higher education usually have to self-fund, potentially affecting their ability to access and benefit from technology. This disparity underscores the importance of investigating digital device access and skills in higher education. This study aims to identify possible factors contributing to these inequalities within the current higher education systems by exploring student perceptions from one higher education state institution in New Jersey.
A quantitative approach was selected to achieve this, employing a survey-based descriptive design to examine the characteristics of the undergraduate population at various Kean University campuses (Union, Skylands, and Ocean) and those enrolled in online degree programs (Kean Online). A comprehensive survey assessed students' experiences with technology (physical hardware and networking) and technological resources (digital software that supports education) access and the impact these have on their education. Upon preliminary data analysis from approximately 170 undergraduate students, we identified limitations in accessing devices, open education resources (OER), and learning management systems (LMS). These initial findings suggest a lack of awareness among students regarding Kean University's provision of free technological resources. Most student respondents emphasized the significance of technology in education, expressing concerns that a lack of device access would significantly hinder their academic achievement. These insights could be valuable information for university administrators in identifying and creating solutions to address campus technology equity. Future research should further explore technology access in higher education across the United States, investigating the benefits of OER, the role of institutions in mitigating technology inequalities, and the overall student experience with technological challenges.