I attended a two day digital marketing course recently with NTUC as I thought the course came at the right time as I perceived that everything is going online with the the surge in Covid cases and the move towards “Smart Nation” as a society. Digitalization involves every sector from e-commerce to education. For businesses to survive, there is a need for people to be equipped with the skills to understanding the pivoting techniques from that of physical marketing to digital marketing.
Rice Media article on the digital divide
I was reading an article by Rice Media and it struck a chord with me as I wondered how the economically disadvantaged is able to survive in our fast paced world of digitalization. Personally, even with the advantages of having a good education and my thirst for knowledge, I was quite apprehensive of signing for my first course with a focus on information technology as I am uncertain of my ability to pick up the more technical side of things. Still, I felt that my course participants felt the same.
Understanding the plight of the seniors
When I attended the course with 20 participants, I felt at home with some of the seniors in their 50’s especially felt for one who struggled with having to be present by resolving the technical side of learning online. The senior course participant with the web camera issue struck me as a very memorable one. I would feel embarrassed to continually hold back a class of 20. He had to keep toggling with his web camera as the instructor had to remind him continuously that his screen went black on zoom. It is mandatory to show one’s face online to ensure the participants are real and authentic so as to clear the online class audit.
I can feel the panic when one has to know how to not only use Zoom to participate as a learner but had to resolve the technical glitch of his web camera going dark when we are all taking the assessment for the course. I felt that the senior really struggled to multi-task as he might not know how to resolve his technical issues in the physical set up of the home learning environment.
This struggle I believe is quite real for people who faced the double whammy of lacking digital experience and have to pick up digital knowledge in a world that has accelerated technological transformation. Thankfully, we were blessed with a very a patient, tactful and sensitive instructor who made sure that those who has technical issues that prevented their access to his lesson get extra attention and help during the break.
However, for those who are economically disadvantaged, I believe the rapid digitalization has made those who are left behind even more disconnected socially. It would be almost impossible to participate meaningfully in social activities online like upskilling on Zoom for those who faced even more problems like what happened with my course mate. I am thankful to see such a heartwarming scene where the instructor has a heart for seniors.
Digital divide and falling behind
Rice media has highlighted the predicament of the digital divide. This is where it would be so trying for an individual to even get connected to the internet, have a secure and reliable computer or web camera. They would thus be left behind if one would consider having a reliable digital connection and know-how a “need” and no longer a “want” in order to access jobs or training.
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