Bridging the Digital Divide: Access to Technology in the Pacific

Talking about economic developments in a country and overlooking income inequality might be a joke. Hence, in my microteaching, I aim to discuss the economic state of a country based on the calculations of income inequality. The challenge is that 15 minutes might be less; however, my plan to cover inequality despite the time constraint is as follows: I will highlight the learning outcomes, then discuss the concepts of inequality. Using relevant graphs (Lorenz curve, Histogram, and Summary Statistics), I will explain the income distribution using real-life examples. To ensure that students learn what I teach, we will do an activity together. I will provide a summary statistics table with relevant data and students will be required to graph the Lorenz curve and calculate the Gini coefficient which will reveal the extent of income inequality. Calculation of the Gini coefficient is a bit tricky, therefore, I will include a link to a YouTube video that will show how the Gini coefficient c...

As teachers, we must always be looking for new and creative ways to evaluate our students' learning. I have chosen to use debate as an eAssessment in my EC201: Intermediate Macroeconomics course. The area of macroeconomics is substantial and complex, with a multitude of theories and viewpoints that frequently call for more in-depth investigation and debate. Debates, in my opinion, are effective for encouraging students to express their understanding of the subject. Webex, which is integrated with the USP Moodle platform, will be used to facilitate the debates. Students will work in groups of three for two weeks to prepare and do their research on the topics allocated to them. On the day of the debate, each team will make their case, refute the other team, and answer audience questions. In order to ensure a clear and orderly discussion, the debate will be arranged with time limitations for opening speeches, presentations, and conclusions. I'm using this approach in part to d...

Socrative has revolutionized classroom assessments by enabling teachers to connect with students in real-time through interactive exercises, polls, and quizzes. This tool allows for tailored instruction by offering insightful data about student performance in addition to quick feedback.  Having experienced both the traditional and modern teaching approaches, I consider Socrative to be a useful tool for establishing an interesting and participatory classroom environment. It enables teachers to evaluate students’ understanding in real-time, which facilitates course modifications to suit individual needs and prevents any student from falling behind. In my opinion, Socrative is more than a learning tool, it is a chance to close the gap between student understanding and academic results, especially in subjects where technology may enhance the availability of face-to-face instruction. As a Pacific Islander, I have a strong connection to Khan Academy as an Open Educational Resource (OER) ...

Pacific islands are renowned for their breathtaking scenery and lively cultures, but many of these islands struggle to get digital connections. Many Pacific countries still have significant challenges in ensuring equitable access to digital devices and dependable internet connectivity, which restricts their options for education, economic growth, and healthcare. Geographical isolation is a major obstacle for PICs. These islands are widely dispersed across a vast body of ocean, making it costly and challenging to install reliable mobile networks or install infrastructure like internet cables. As a result, many remote areas are left without high-speed internet. Another obstacle is affordability. Even while smartphones and other digital gadgets are now more widely available, many Pacific Islanders still cannot afford them. In addition, internet access might be prohibitively expensive, particularly for people who live in remote or rural areas. Nevertheless, there are opportunities for grow...