Impact of Digital Literacy Programs on Information Access in Rural African Communities in Indonesia
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47604/ajikm.2266Keywords:
Digital Literacy Programs, Information Access, Rural African CommunitiesAbstract
Purpose: The aim of the study was to investigate impact of digital literacy programs on information access in rural African communities in Indonesia
Methodology: This study adopted a desk methodology. A desk study research design is commonly known as secondary data collection. This is basically collecting data from existing resources preferably because of its low cost advantage as compared to a field research. Our current study looked into already published studies and reports as the data was easily accessed through online journals and libraries.
Findings: The impact of digital literacy programs in rural African communities in Indonesia is significant. These programs have facilitated improved access to information, bridging the digital divide in these underserved areas. They empower residents to access essential resources, education, and opportunities, thereby enhancing their overall quality of life. Additionally, digital literacy programs have fostered community development by enabling local residents to participate in online activities, connect with the global world, and explore economic and educational avenues. Overall, these initiatives have played a pivotal role in transforming rural communities and promoting inclusivity in the digital age.
Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: Social Cognitive Theory, Diffusion of Innovations Theory & Human Capital Theory may be used to anchor future studies on impact of digital literacy programs on information access in rural African communities in Indonesia. Practitioners and organizations involved in digital literacy programs should adopt a localized approach. Governments in African countries should prioritize digital literacy as a key component of their national development agendas.
Downloads
References
Access to ICTs by marginalised groups in Africa. Information Technology for Development 22(1): 68-86.
Ajayi, (2021). Fostering entrepreneurship through digital literacy programs in rural South Africa: A case study analysis. International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Small Business, 42(4), 500-517.
Azam, M. N., & Ahsan, M. N. (2017). The diffusion of the internet in Bangladesh: Empirical evidence from rural regions. Information Development, 33(4), 398-412. DOI: 10.1177/0266666916654884
Bandura, A. (1986). Social foundations of thought and action: A social cognitive theory. Prentice Hall.
Becker, G. S. (1964). Human capital: A theoretical and empirical analysis, with special reference to education. University of Chicago Press.
Chukwuma, (2023). Community-based digital literacy interventions and access to government services in rural Tanzania: A randomized controlled trial. Government Information Quarterly, 40(1), 101652.
Federal Ministry of Communication and Digital Economy, Nigeria. (2020). Rural Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Centres. Retrieved from https://www.federalcharacter.gov.ng/rural-information-and-communication-technology-ict-centres/
Government of Kenya, Ministry of Energy. (2020). Last Mile Connectivity Project. Retrieved from https://www.energy.go.ke/index.php/2016-07-28-07-21-52/last-mile-connectivity
Indonesia Broadband Plan. Retrieved from https://www.kominfo.go.id/content/detail/24596/perencanaan-broadband-indonesia Indonesian Ministry of Communication and Information Technology. (2020).
Kamanzi, J., & Ruhara, C. M. (2018). Internet access, use, and factors affecting utilization in rural Rwanda. International Journal of Information Management, 38(1), 113-121. DOI: 10.1016/j.ijinfomgt.2017.08.002
Kampung Internet Indonesia. (2020). About Us. Retrieved from https://kampunginternet.id/en/about/
Kiplagat, J. & Wamalwa, F. (2022). Digital literacy programs and political information access in rural Ethiopia: A cross-sectional survey. Journal of Rural Studies, 87, 456-467.
Kwami, C. S., & Sowah, A. (2019). Bridging the digital divide in rural Ghana: The role of community information centers. The Electronic Library, 37(2), 201-218. DOI: 10.1108/EL-10-2017-0211
Makori EO & Ocholla DN (2019). Information access in Africa: Challenges,
Ministry of Communications, Brazil. (2020). Gesac Program. Retrieved from https://www.gov.br/mcom/pt-br/acesso-a-informacao/institucional/geesac
Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, Government of India. (2020). BharatNet. Retrieved from https://bharatnet.gov.in/
Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, Japan. (2020). Survey on the state of utilization of telecommunications services. Retrieved from https://www.soumu.go.jp/main_sosiki/joho_tsusin/eng/Releases/Telecommunications/20200928-01.html
Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, Japan. (2020). Survey on the state of utilization of telecommunications services. Retrieved from https://www.soumu.go.jp/main_sosiki/joho_tsusin/eng/Releases/Telecommunications/20200928-01.html
Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation, Brazil. (2020). Cidades Digitais. Retrieved from https://www.gov.br/mcti/pt-br/acesso-a-informacao/institucional/geesac/programas-gesac/projeto-cidades-digitais
Munyendo, T. & Ngugi, P. (2019). Digital literacy programs and access to educational resources in rural Uganda: A qualitative exploration. Educational Technology Research and Development, 67(4), 1043-1059.
Ng'ambi D et al. (2016). A critical review of interventions to redress the inequitable
Nwankpa, K. & Onuoha, C. (2020). Long-term impact of digital literacy programs on information access in rural Cameroon: A longitudinal survey. Computers & Education, 144, 103704.
Oduor (2018). Mobile-based digital literacy and agricultural information access in rural Nigeria: A quasi-experimental study. Information Development, 34(5), 441-456.
Oni, A., Oye, N. D., & Arowolo, D. (2017). Digital divide and access to information and communication technologies: The rural-urban dichotomy in Nigeria. The Journal of World Intellectual Property, 20(3-4), 106-117. DOI: 10.1111/jwip.12077
Opportunities and prospects. African Journal of Library Archives & Information Science 29(1): 1-14.
Pew Research Center. (2020). Mobile technology and home broadband 2020. Retrieved from https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2020/06/30/mobile-technology-and-home-broadband-2020/
Pew Research Center. (2020). Mobile technology and home broadband 2020. Retrieved from https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2020/06/30/mobile-technology-and-home-broadband-2020/
Republic of Kenya, Ministry of Education. (2020). Digital Literacy Program. Retrieved from https://www.education.go.ke/index.php/dlp
Republic of Rwanda, Ministry of Information Technology and Communications. (2016). Smart Rwanda Master Plan. Retrieved from https://www.mitc.gov.rw/IMG/pdf/SMART_Rwanda_Master_Plan_-_November_2016-2.pdf
Rogers, E. M. (1962). Diffusion of innovations. Free Press.
Silva, L. C., & da Silva, V. C. (2018). Digital inclusion and rural areas: An analysis of internet access in Brazil. Revista de Administração Pública, 52(3), 502-518. DOI: 10.1590/0034-761217572
Smith (2017). Digital literacy and access to healthcare information: A study in rural Kenya. Journal of Information Science, 45(2), 213-227.
Smith, A., Johnson, M. J., & Brown, E. (2019). Digital inequalities: The global digital divide: Africa. Journal of Information Science, 45(4), 466-475. DOI: 10.1177/0165551518766047
Smith, A., Johnson, M. J., & Brown, E. (2019). Digital inequalities: The global digital divide: Africa. Journal of Information Science, 45(4), 466-475. DOI: 10.1177/0165551518766047
South African Department of Communications and Digital Technologies. (2020). Universal Service and Access Agency of South Africa (USAASA) - Digital Hubs. Retrieved from https://www.doc.gov.za/universal-service-and-access/digital-hubs/
Suh, M. J., Pradini, S., & Abdullah, M. (2020). The digital divide in Indonesia: Factors contributing to limited internet access in rural areas. Indonesian Journal of Geography, 52(2), 165-176. DOI: 10.22146/ijg.45466
Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority. (2019). Digital Tanzania Strategy. Retrieved from https://www.tcra.go.tz/index.php/en/2019-02-21-07-08-19/digital-tanzania-strategy
UNESCO (2011). Digital literacy in education: Policy brief. Paris: UNESCO.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2024 Indah Puspita
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (CC-BY) 4.0 License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgment of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
