Information Communication Technology: Examining the Digital Divide in JRMSU System

The digital divide is a core issue of the information society. It is a gap to describe between people who have the skills and ready access to information and communication technology ( the haves) and with those who do not have the skills and access to use those same technologies within a geographic area, society or community ( the have-nots). With the flourishing availability of communication resources, it has also deepened the problem of digital divide in various countries and communities. The need to quantify the digital divide of an area, society or community is very vital since it is a common belief that Information Communication and Technology (ICT) uplifts standard of living: in terms of economic and human development particularly on education advancement. This study was conducted in the five (5) campuses of Jose Rizal Memorial State University using a questionnaire consisting items on the availability and use of ICT at home and in school and extent of skills in doing a task in a computer. To determine whether there is a digital divide or not, a probability index is established where 1 and more than 1 suggest an existing digital divide. It was found during the study that there is an existing digital divide in the JRMSU system in the availability, access and skills in using information and communication technology. It is not an assumption that even though majority of respondents were acquainted with computers they already had skills to do school-based tasks using the tool. The need for instructors to encourage students to build their ICT skills and integrate ICT in teaching, and maximizing the utilization of ICT tools inside the school were few of the recommendations in this study in bridging the digital divide.