AAACE 2021 Annual Conference

Digital divide, ICT, developing world, sustainable adult education

There are gaps between those that are able to benefit from the internet and those who are not. There have been powerful global movements, including series of intergovernmental summit meetings, conducted to close the digital divide. 

The movements formulated solutions in public policy, technology design, finance and management that would allow all connected citizens to benefit equitably as a global digital economy spreads into far corners of the world population. But the gap remains unabated. This work identifies major attributes of the Developing World vise-a-vise the digitalization of the community; and examine the specific impacts of the digital divide on contemporary adult education and its future. Nigeria is used as a case study. It made commendations for eliminating to digital divide to propel advancement in adult education in the Developing World. Government policies and programmes on Internet and Telecommunication Technology (ICT) were examined. School programmes and practices on ICT were studied. 25 individual adults drawn across Nigeria were interviewed to determine their level of digital literacy, and challenges. They also made suggestions. The Third World are least connected; and no indications for immediate integrated closure. Low literacy, poor economy, poor infrastructures and government ineptitudes, among others, constitute major reasons for the divide. Massive investment in ICT and infrastructures, and tremendously purposefully training of facilitators that will impart the knowledge and skills are desirable. Schools and colleges may have to double the attentions to ICT in curriculums.