The Digital Divide? Analyzing Regional Differences of Tablet PC Use in Korean Middle Schools for Sustainable Development

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of digital learning environments using tablet Personal Computers (PCs) in Korean metropolitan and rural middle schools. After 12 weeks of professional development for six teachers to enhance ICT and instructional design competency, 48 metropolitan and 63 rural students participated in learning with tablet PCs in English, science, and social studies subjects for 12 weeks. As a result, teachers’ various experiences of changes and challenges in digital learning environments were qualitatively analyzed and described. Also, quantitative measurements of students’ self-regulated learning abilities, collaborative learning disposition, and learning satisfaction were conducted and findings indicated that rural students showed significant differences compared to urban students in all three variables. Based on the results, educational implications and suggestions are discussed.