Version 1
: Received: 8 May 2023 / Approved: 9 May 2023 / Online: 9 May 2023 (05:18:12 CEST)
How to cite:
Odularu, A.T.; Khalo, X.; Mashiyi, N.F.; Nkohla, M.B. Exploring COVID-19 Pandemic Impact, Online Engagement, and Digital Divide on Disadvantaged Undergraduate Students in South African Universities. Preprints.org2023, 2023050573. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202305.0573.v1
Odularu, A.T.; Khalo, X.; Mashiyi, N.F.; Nkohla, M.B. Exploring COVID-19 Pandemic Impact, Online Engagement, and Digital Divide on Disadvantaged Undergraduate Students in South African Universities. Preprints.org 2023, 2023050573. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202305.0573.v1
Cite as:
Odularu, A.T.; Khalo, X.; Mashiyi, N.F.; Nkohla, M.B. Exploring COVID-19 Pandemic Impact, Online Engagement, and Digital Divide on Disadvantaged Undergraduate Students in South African Universities. Preprints.org2023, 2023050573. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202305.0573.v1
Odularu, A.T.; Khalo, X.; Mashiyi, N.F.; Nkohla, M.B. Exploring COVID-19 Pandemic Impact, Online Engagement, and Digital Divide on Disadvantaged Undergraduate Students in South African Universities. Preprints.org 2023, 2023050573. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202305.0573.v1
Abstract
Abstract
This qualitative research study was aimed at exploring Covid-19 pandemic and its impact via online engagement on disadvantaged undergraduate students resulting in digital divide. The study was supported by the connectivism theory. The methodology approach was an eight year (2014-2022) duration systematic literature review using Educational Resources Information Center (ERIC), Google Scholar, Scopus, and Web of Science (WoS) databases as advanced search strategies. Findings from the SLR provided 56 included relevant publications as confirmed in the Reference Section. Here, findings justified factors responsible for digital divide and the digital divide impacts. Connectivism was suggested as an approach to control digital divide. This study recommends connectivism to control digital divide experienced among disadvantaged undergraduate students in South African universities via numerous supports for free trainings in computer skills, while the government provides low data cost and free Wi-Fi services.
Keywords
Covid-19 pandemic era; digital divide; online learning; undergraduate students; South African universities
Subject
Social Sciences, Education
Copyright:
This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
