RUBINA KHAN (UNIVERSITY OF DHAKA)

TECHNOLOGY USE FOR LEARNING IN MARGINALISED COMMUNITIES: VOICES FROM TEENAGERS, THEIR TEACHERS AND PARENTS : DIGITAL LITERACIES/LANGUAGE LEARNING AND TECHNOLOGY

This presentation shares the major findings of a research study, ReMaLIC (Reaching out to marginalized populations in low-income countries), funded by the British Council’s Widening Participation Programme. The study examined technology use and access among teenagers (aged 13-15), their parents, and teachers in low-resource contexts in Asia (Bangladesh and Nepal) and Africa (Senegal and Sudan). It was deemed important that voices from these marginalized communities be heard. One of the major aims of the study was to gather data on technology use in different sites (school, outside school, and home). In addition, information was collected on participants’ attitudes towards technology. The study adopted a qualitative research design to gather experiences of marginalised students, teachers and parents in using technology for student learning via semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions, and classroom observations. A total of 256 participants from four countries took part in the study. Findings show that there are limited opportunities for student learning because of limited access to the Internet and mobile data. Students face constraints in using technology due to a lack of electricity, training, digital devices, low digital literacy, and gender-related attitudes. Yet most participants expressed favorable attitudes toward technology. The Implications and impacts of the study will be discussed.

Dr. Rubina Khan is Professor and former Head of the Department of English at the University of Dhaka, Bangladesh. She is a Fulbright scholar and her areas of interest are assessment, teacher development, technology and research. She is the Immediate Past President of the Bangladesh English Language Teachers Association (BELTA).