BRIDGING THE DIGITAL GAP AMONG VARSITY STUDENTS THROUGH THE USE OF INTERNET-IN-THE-WALL

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to investigate how access to, and usage of the Internet-in-the-Wall (IW) could help bridge digital divide or gap among varsity students. Few studies, especially in Africa, have explored the potential of the Internet-in-the-Wall as a tool for bridging digital divide. A qualitative research approach was adopted as it best fits the nature of the study. Interviews were used in the main to elicit data from the field. Findings revealed that the IW has served the academic needs of students as well as enable them to connect to their families and friends on all social media platforms. The study showed that the IW was an indispensable tool in the academic life of many students as it helped them to review online books and resources to complete assignments, register their semester courses online, stream academic videos, visit news sites for updates, and many more. Finally, the study revealed that many students know or have some IT skills that make it easier for them to fully operate the IW. The study is limited in scope. There is therefore the need to replicate this study to cover larger student segments in order to arrive at a more generalizable conclusion.