Open AccessCOVID-19, Distance Learning and the Digital Divide: A Case of Higher Education in the United States and Pakistan
Author(s) -
Sunaina Asher
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
international journal of multicultural education
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.472
H-Index - 16
ISSN - 1934-5267
DOI - 10.18251/ijme.v23i3.2921
Subject(s) - distance education , covid-19 , context (archaeology) , digital divide , higher education , pandemic , sociology , pedagogy , political science , public relations , information and communications technology , geography , medicine , disease , archaeology , pathology , infectious disease (medical specialty) , law
This multiple case study describes the experiences of students, faculty and administrators with distance learning during this pandemic in the context of a Midwestern University in United States and an elitist University in Lahore, Pakistan. The participants were invited to talk about their experiences through a Zoom interview. Data were analyzed thematically and the findings revealed that the issue of the digital divide was as much as problem in higher education as in K-12. Digital divide in Pakistan is far greater due to lack of investment in educational technology. The paper ends with acknowledging the potential limitations and making recommendations for leadership and teaching practice.