Abstract
Children of rural areas have historically faced severe disadvantages both educationally and digitally. The COVID-19 pandemic has been a reminder of the barriers they must overcome due to unstable internet signals, device shortages, and digital skills. For this reason, this paper discusses the concept of digital natives, that is, the belief that minors, regardless of their circumstances, have digital skills that allow them to use the Internet without prior guidance or instruction. From a qualitative perspective, discourses and social constructions on the role of the Internet in the daily life of children between 11 and 12 years old are analyzed through a triad interview with the minors, their mothers, and head teachers, as well as school principals in four rural localities in Chile during the second year of the pandemic. The main findings show that, despite being part of a disadvantaged group and the precariousness of internet connection, all participants have access to smartphones from an early age. However, adults in their educational environment tend to agree that poor digital skills development hinders their remote learning process, despite the children's confidence in using devices.
Translated title of the contribution | Digital natives? : perception of skills among children of rural areas |
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Original language | Spanish |
Pages (from-to) | 102-120 |
Number of pages | 19 |
Journal | Cuadernos de Investigación Educativa |
Volume | 14 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 4 Apr 2023 |
Keywords
- Internet
- Rural education
- Digital divide
- Smartphones
- Pandemic