In a time where it is more and more important to be able to connect with others over the internet and through technology. This is a particular issue with those who live in rural communities, due to a lack of support in getting this technology to people, particularly first nations people, who according to the Australian Digital Inclusion Index, are being left behind.
According to the ADII, indigenous inclusion is below the national average, at 5.4 or 5.8. The effects of this exclusion can have a negative impact on the success of First Nations students in secondary and tertiary education.
Academic and course convener of ICT at Griffith University Professor Paulo de Souza says that much of the strain of trying to access these technologies are on the people attempting to use them.
“No one should be left behind because they were not privileged enough to either get access to a place that would provide the access.” says de Souza.
DeSouza believes that educators must be willing to do more legwork for students who are having difficulties with long distance learning.
“If there is a student who is back in the home and is having difficulties accessing the content we would do everything we can to make sure that they can have access to it”