Bridging the Digital Divide: Access to Technology in the Pacific

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...