Identification of digital gaps in pandemic: two experiences of higher degrees in the Informatics discipline

Abstract

The global health crisis caused by COVID-19 forced the anticipated shift from the "face-to-face" to the "virtual" paradigm. The article proposed to determine different digital gaps in the educational system of the National University of the Northeast. In order to validate the proposal, we chose two higher-level subjects from the Bachelor's Degree in Information Systems. An online survey was designed to quantitatively infer and characterize individuals in relation to certain aspects that affect a typology of digital divide: connectivity, availability of relevant communication and computer equipment, and knowledge of synchronous and asynchronous tools in a learning environment or virtual classroom, the data were processed and descriptive statistical measures applied. The information produced determined the non-existence of evidence regarding the use gap, however, the presence of the access gap and skills gap was observed in 29% of the total number of students interviewed. The proposal was aimed at proposing to implement in other educational areas (for example, in the teaching sector, administrative and teacher personnel), the design of strengthening projects in information and communication technologies in order to ensure having trained human capital in the face of possible emerging.