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Digital Gap in Universities and Challenges for Quality Education: A Diagnostic Study in Mexico and Spain

Author

Listed:
  • Guillermo Rodríguez-Abitia

    (General Direction of Computing and Information and Communications Technologies, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, 58089 Mexico City, Mexico)

  • Sandra Martínez-Pérez

    (Department of Didactics and Educational Organization, Faculty of Education, University of Barcelona, 08035 Barcelona, Spain)

  • Maria Soledad Ramirez-Montoya

    (Tecnologico de Monterrey, School of Humanities and Education, 64849 Monterrey, Mexico)

  • Edgar Lopez-Caudana

    (Tecnologico de Monterrey, School of Engineering and Sciences, 14380 Mexico City, Mexico)

Abstract

The United Nations (UN) identifies four key elements as agents for change and for addressing societal challenges: education, research, innovation and leadership. The use of technology, from a pedagogical and organizational point of view, in higher education institutions has brought about new challenges. The integration of them in the teaching–learning processes has experienced a great evolution, giving way to a digital transformation and the acquisition of new skills and knowledge, thus pointing towards quality education within the framework of sustainable development objectives. This document aims to describe and analyze the ways in which seven higher education institutions, three in Spain and four in Mexico, have taken up the challenge of adopting technologies and applying them to the educational process. To this end, in-depth interviews and direct observations were carried out. The results point to three dimensions: technological, pedagogical and organizational, which shed light on the different factors that influence the choice and availability of the use of technologies. The results indicate that contextual factors play a determinant role in the ability of an institution to profit from technologies to aid the educational process and guarantee its quality.

Suggested Citation

  • Guillermo Rodríguez-Abitia & Sandra Martínez-Pérez & Maria Soledad Ramirez-Montoya & Edgar Lopez-Caudana, 2020. "Digital Gap in Universities and Challenges for Quality Education: A Diagnostic Study in Mexico and Spain," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(21), pages 1-14, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:21:p:9069-:d:438233
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Santiago Alonso-García & Inmaculada Aznar-Díaz & María-Pilar Cáceres-Reche & Juan-Manuel Trujillo-Torres & José-María Romero-Rodríguez, 2019. "Systematic Review of Good Teaching Practices with ICT in Spanish Higher Education. Trends and Challenges for Sustainability," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(24), pages 1-15, December.
    2. Arianna Sala & Yves Punie & Vladimir Garkov & Marcelino Cabrera, 2020. "LifeComp: The European Framework for Personal, Social and Learning to Learn key competence," JRC Research Reports JRC120911, Joint Research Centre.
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    Cited by:

    1. Mamdouh Alenezi & Mohammad Akour, 2023. "Digital Transformation Blueprint in Higher Education: A Case Study of PSU," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(10), pages 1-14, May.
    2. Elmis Jonatan García Zare & Segundo Eloy Soto Abanto & Noelia Patricia Rodriguez Paredes & Teresita del Rosario Merino Salazar & Sandra Elizabeth Pagador Flores & Jorge Luis Baldárrago Baldárrago & Jo, 2023. "Technological Devices and Digital Competences: A Look into the Digital Divides for University Continuity during the COVID-19 Pandemic," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(11), pages 1-16, May.
    3. Carlos Cacciuttolo & Yaneth Vásquez & Deyvis Cano & Fernando Valenzuela, 2023. "Research Thesis for Undergraduate Engineering Programs in the Digitalization Era: Learning Strategies and Responsible Research Conduct Road to a University Education 4.0 Paradigm," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(14), pages 1-27, July.
    4. Pera Bożena & Hajdukiewicz Agnieszka & Hodak Danijela Ferjanić, 2022. "Digital Competencies among Higher Education Professors and High-School Teachers: Does Teaching Experience matter?," Business Systems Research, Sciendo, vol. 13(2), pages 72-95, December.
    5. Fernando Suárez & Juan Carlos Mosquera Feijóo & Isabel Chiyón & Marcos García Alberti, 2021. "Flipped Learning in Engineering Modules Is More Than Watching Videos: The Development of Personal and Professional Skills," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(21), pages 1-20, November.
    6. Maja Batez, 2021. "ICT Skills of University Students from the Faculty of Sport and Physical Education during the COVID-19 Pandemic," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(4), pages 1-13, February.

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