Reflections about digital culture & education in a time of crisis in Argentina. Digital Culture & Education

TARULLO, RAQUEL; FREZZOTTI YANINA; BELISA MARTINO; SABRINA POMPEI; MASCIULLI, CLARA

Digital Culture & Education

University of East Anglia

Lugar: Norwich; Año: 2020

Reflections on Argentinean higher education in times of COVID-19 or the silver lining behind the dark cloudSince March 15th, when the Argentinean government suspended face-to-face lessons, most universities have moved their classes online. In this scenario, as a research team we are reflecting on two consequences: the perpetuation of pre-existing inequity and the visibility this structural condition has gained now. Inequity in access is manifested in two aspects, Internet access and digital literacy. As regards access, average Internet penetration in Argentina is 65.80%. However, the distribution is highly unequal: it goes from 112. 70% in Buenos Aires City to 30.10% in Formosa. As far as digital skills are concerned, researchers have indicated that university teachers do not have the skills to use technology for educational purposes. Furthermore, even though undergraduates perform most of their activities online, their academic practices are still realized through analogic means.As a case in point, in a study being conducted at a public university by this research team, many students stated that they had never used the university digital platform for online classes. In addition, teachers claimed to be aware of the possible useful applications of digital resources but added that they still have difficulty using them in their teaching practices.Alongside with the uneven distribution of Internet as well as the unequal access to technology, the gap between those who can develop competencies to be part of this new educational scheme and those who cannot is also likely to broaden because of the different cultural capital these actors have acquired in their lives.The future remains uncertain but by making visible what research has already suggested, this may be an opportunity to finally raise awareness of the existing inequity and call for public policies to improve the access to Internet and technology and the conditions to develop digital literacy to address the pedagogical challenges this scenario has posed.EL ARTÍCULO FUE PRESENTADO EN FORMATO LIBRO ELECTRÓNICO PORQUE FORMABA PARTE DE LA CONVOCATORIA QUE LA PRESENTACIÓN FUERA EN FORMATO DISTINTO AL TRADICIONAL ACADÉMICO.