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Inequality and Access to Online Education During a Global Crisis: The Case of Higher Education in Some Countries in Southern Africa

Inequality and Access to Online Education During a Global Crisis: The Case of Higher Education in Some Countries in Southern Africa
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Author(s): Herbert Ntuli (University of Cape Town, South Africa), Edwin Muchapondwa (University of Cape Town, South Africa & LuleƄ University of Technology, Sweden), Victor Ntuli (National University of Lesotho, Lesotho)and Lina Mangwende (University of South Africa, South Africa)
Copyright: 2023
Pages: 22
Source title: Research Anthology on Remote Teaching and Learning and the Future of Online Education
Source Author(s)/Editor(s): Information Resources Management Association (USA)
DOI: 10.4018/978-1-6684-7540-9.ch007

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Abstract

The impact of inequality and technology on access to online education has received tremendous attention within the past two decades from researchers across the globe. What remains under-researched is the knowledge of how shocks such as the COVID-19 pandemic affect access to online education. The main objective of the study was to examine inequality in accessing online education in the context of a crisis in a developing region. A mixed-method approach was used to collect and analyze online survey data based on 393 undergraduate students from six countries in Southern Africa. Both observable and hidden inequality sources such as income and participation in household chores compromise the quality of online education. A shift from face-to-face teaching to online education is likely to result in learning difficulties and deterioration in the quality of education. Policies such as the provision of free data improve the learning experience by reducing inequality. Therefore, decision-makers should take into consideration inequality in designing policies and strategies during a crisis.

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