Estudio exploratorio de los nativos digitales en el ámbito Universitario de la Región Mixteca

Abstract

First year university students need to make efficient use of technological tools, but there is a lack of accessibility of these tools to students from rural communities. This is a problem as one of the sustainable development goals is guaranteeing quality education that is both inclusive and equitable for all students. In the case of rural areas, students cannot be considered “Digital Natives” just because they have grown up in the digital age, because they have not had the exposure to technological tools that their urban counterparts have had. Based on the case study methodology and in consideration of the foregoing premises, this article has applied a strategy to investigate the level of technological competence of the so-called Digital Natives entering the Technological University of the Mixteca (UTM). The study identified that first-year UTM students do not consider themselves to be Digital Natives and acknowledge having deficiencies in their knowledge in the use of technological tools. Additionally, incoming students face academic requirements and expectations for which most are not prepared. Despite the deficiencies, students show a disposition and ability to learn to use technological tools that allow them to achieve meaningful learning.