Digital Divide and Bridges: Navigating COVID-19 in Colombian Education

Abstract

ABSTRACT During the COVID-19 pandemic, educational institutions in Colombia implemented technology-mediated distance education models. However, inequities in access were evident. In Colombia, the digital divide is related to the geography, socioeconomic class, and ethnicity. The Ministry of National Education and the country’s educational communities joined efforts to build bridges and continue educating the population despite the difficulties. This exploratory qualitative research project was developed to reflect upon the effects of the pandemic on Colombian education, focussing upon the digital divide and the strategies implemented to reduce it. According to this study, the best way to bridge the digital divide is to mix older communication modalities and forms with new technology. During COVID-19, the main strategies used in Colombia involved the development of work guides or pamphlets; educational content on radio, television, and social media; digital educational resources accessible online; and the cell phone for direct contact. It is concluded that innovative bridges can be built to reduce the digital gap but only by embracing mediums of communication from across history.