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Article
Godina_Digital Storytelling.pdf
Computers & Education (2011)
  • Khendum Gyabak, University of Texas at El Paso
  • Heriberto Godina, Texas A&M International University
Abstract
This qualitative studyexamines the use of digital storytelling as an instructional intervention for bridging the digital divide among public school students in rural Bhutan. Primary participants for the study included elementary school children who had never been previously exposed to computer technology and were recipients of a donated classroom set of laptops. Results demonstrated how technology instruction and infrastructure inherently positions ethical and cultural differences between researchers, education personnel, school children and their families. The use of English became an inadvertent gatekeeper for who was chosen to participate in the classroom laptop program. Another major finding examines how Bhutan’s social awareness for “Gross National Happiness” is inherently juxtaposed in contrast to Western perceptions of modernity and progress. Educators and administrators concerned about initial technology instruction in developing regions should find this study informative.
Keywords
  • Digital storytelling Digital divide Instructional technology Bhutan Equitable education
Publication Date
Summer June 14, 2011
DOI
10.1016/j.compedu.2011.06.009
Publisher Statement
This article appeared in a journal published by Elsevier. The attached copy is furnished to the author for internal non-commercial research and education use, including for instruction at the authors institution and sharing with colleagues. Other uses, including reproduction and distribution, or selling or licensing copies, or posting to personal, institutional or third party websites are prohibited. In most cases authors are permitted to post their version of the article (e.g. in Word or Tex form) to their personal website or institutional repository. Authors requiring further information regarding Elsevier’s archiving and manuscript policies are encouraged to visit: http://www.elsevier.com/copyright
Citation Information
Gyabak, K., & Godina, H. (2011). Digital storytelling in Bhutan: A qualitative examination of new media tools used to bridge the digital divide in a rural community school. Computers and Education, 57(4), 2236-2243. doi: 10.1016/j.compedu.2011.06.009