Ciudadanos digitales y las necesidades de aprendizaje en el sector rural

Abstract

The learning needs in the rural sector regarding digital environments are currently an important issue that must be addressed, as digital literacy allows citizens to exercise their civic participation virtually. The lack of internet access is not a problem in the "El Retiro" parish; however, knowledge regarding the proper use of new information and communication technologies is not optimal. Digital competencies enable proper use of ICTs, and thanks to them, citizens can safely navigate the network, obtain information from reliable sources, and handle public service environments. Likewise, they can interact with other people, buy, learn, work, investigate, and entertain themselves properly in digital spaces. Digital citizen participation in the El Oro prefecture, Machala canton, only uses digital platforms as means of dissemination and information regarding topics related to active citizen participation. However, all processes and training are conducted in-person. The research methodology used was qualitative-quantitative and consisted of surveys and interviews. Surveys were applied to citizens of the El Retiro parish, including its 7 sites: Guarumal 1, La Maria, Buena Esperanza, San Vicente, San Fernando, San José, and La Y del Enano. On the other hand, interviews were directed to experts in ITs and citizen participation. Additionally, the vice-rector of the "9 de Mayo" Educational Unit was interviewed from an educational perspective on the use of technological media and citizen participation, and the parish president was interviewed from a broader perspective. This work concludes that there is a great need for knowledge and content that contribute to the development of digital competencies in the inhabitants of the El Retiro parish, since despite the existence of platforms in which they can participate and carry out procedures in the virtual agency of the government.