Abstract
Despite several activities been focusing on urban areas, rural areas are no exception in being a digital society. Since the year 2000, various initiatives such as rural libraries establishment and Universal Service Provision (USP) programs tend to narrow down the digital divide between rural and urban areas in Malaysia. However, few empirical studies have been carried out on information access and usage of digital technologies among rural communities in Malaysia. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the digital capabilities of rural communities in low literacy rate areas in Malaysia towards a digital society. This study is a quantitative method and descriptive kind of study using questionnaires as an instrument to collect the data. Multi-stage clusters and simple random sampling were employed and 400 respondents were selected. Analysis performed confirms that rural communities in Malaysia, are digitally connected and informed society (Digital Society). Smartphones and the Internet were the highest types of ICT tools used by the rural communities in the study. The result did reflect on the ownership of their ICT tools, which most of the rural communities afford to have their own smartphones regardless of the level of age. A better understanding of digital capabilities towards information access and usage of digital technologies among rural communities could produce a better understanding of the adoption and usage of digital technologies. The findings are also expected to provide useful inputs in ensuring that the advancements in communications infrastructure and services contribute to the inclusion and participation of all segments of the population in the realization of a Digital Society. Meanwhile, able to understand the human and social factors, which affect and contribute to the adoption and usage of digital technologies and services.
Highlights
Information and communication technology (ICT) has an important role in terms of development in rural areas in Malaysia
Background of the Study Despite several activities been focusing on urban areas, rural areas are no exception in being a digital society
Capabilities towards digital society among rural communities been measured in this study were based on ICT tools ownership, experience, and skills in handling ICT tools
Summary
Information and communication technology (ICT) has an important role in terms of development in rural areas in Malaysia. The increase in ICT technology has shown impressive transformation results in the socio-economic environment of the country This strategy aims to ensure rapid development in rural areas by improving the living conditions of rural communities, in line with the National "Sustainable development Goal" (SDGs). Printed medium is a medium that has text, pictures, that appears on paper or books or whatever medium you can touch and hold Whereas electronic mediums such as books and other reading materials are displayed in various forms of information in electronic media (television, radio, video players, computers, and other electronic devices). The use and access of reading materials from these electronic and social media mediums requires the involvement of other devices such as nonsmartphones, smartphones, tablets, iPad, laptops, desktops. The concept of the electronic medium and social media medium involves technical aspects (such as a hard drive as digital storage media) and transmission aspects (such as computer networks for the dissemination of digital information)
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