Promoting digital higher education without internet access in Australia

• In Event: International Perspectives in Prisoner Education: Innovations and Challenges in Transforming Learning and Learning Culture in Prisons

Abstract

The lack of access to the internet and to digital technologies in Australian prisons, makes it particularly difficult for those prisoners trying to participate in higher education when the sector is increasingly dominated by online offerings of courses and programs. In the past, courses could be delivered with the use of printed books and CDs. But this option is becoming increasingly problematic as universities move away from the provision of hard-copy materials due to cost. This move make us ponder whether or not e-learning, often delivered exclusively online, is marginalising and disenfranchising as many as it includes in the provision of education.

A series of projects undertaken by researchers at the University of Southern Queensland in Australia, are introducing internet-independent digital technologies into prisons to enable prisoners to participate in higher education. In doing so, these projects will potentially foster the digital literacy skills that prisoners will need once they are released from custody for entry into the workforce, further study or even to fully participate in the digital economy. Early results indicate that the provision of these technologies increases prisoner participation, retention and achievement in higher education.

Author

• Helen Farley, University of Southern Queensland