Exploring the multidimensional disparities in digital literacy of urban and rural teachers and the moderating role of digital education resources


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Abstract

In the current situation of digital transformation promoting the quality of education, the gap of digital infrastructure, resource access and application ability between urban and rural areas has become a key variable affecting the fairness of education. The purpose of this study is to explore the structural disparities in digital literacy between urban and rural teachers and the moderating role of digital education resources in China. The questionnaire was compiled based on Chinese Teachers’ Digital Literacy, and 1,386 urban teachers and 1,164 rural teachers participated in the study. Multidimensional divides and moderating effect analyses were performed based on the survey data. The statistical findings indicate that the structural disparities in digital literacy between urban and rural teachers exhibit the following phenomena: an agglomeration effect and policy turnaround, a scale effect and implementation divergence, a differentiation across educational stages along with a reversal of urban-rural patterns, as well as urban-rural differentiation and transformation impediments. In urban schools, digital education resources exert a remarkable moderating effect when teachers’ digital knowledge and skills influence digital application. Conversely, in rural schools, the moderating effect of digital education resources is not significant.

About the authors

Haiying Yu

Mudanjiang Normal University

Author for correspondence.
Email: yuhaiying0304@163.com
ORCID iD: 0000-0003-0157-4631

Doctor of Sciences (Education), Professor, Dean of the College of Educational Sciences

China, 157011, China, Mudanjiang, Culture Street, 191

Zixi Wan

Mudanjiang Normal University

Email: 1343803286@qq.com
ORCID iD: 0009-0003-8593-4135

graduate student

China, 157011, China, Mudanjiang, Culture Street, 191

Xinlei Yuan

Mudanjiang Normal University

Email: 1205002@mdjnu.edu.cn
ORCID iD: 0000-0003-4900-3168

Professor

China, 157011, China, Mudanjiang, Culture Street, 191

Haifan Fu

Dalian Changxing Island (Economic) Technical Development Zone Xingang Primary School

Email: 563484645@qq.com
ORCID iD: 0009-0004-7786-6408

teacher

China, 116086, China, Liaoning Province, Dalian City, Xingang Village, Changling Road, 616

Jin hao Deng

Dalian Changxing Island (Economic) Technical Development Zone Xingang Primary School

Email: 13039656922@163.com
ORCID iD: 0009-0005-2952-3096

undergraduate student

China, 116086, China, Liaoning Province, Dalian City, Xingang Village, Changling Road, 616

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