Democratic education in technology-mediated postgraduate nursing: Equity and access in resource-limited contexts

This study explores how Master of Nursing Sci­ence students navigate technology-mediated learning and institutional support, examining how digital platforms ei­ther promote or hinder equitable access in resource-lim­ited contexts through a critical pedagogy lens. A qualita­tive research approach, sp...

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Main Authors: Bokang Amelia Mahlelehlele, Jeanette Elizabeth Maritz, Gisela Hildegard van Rensburg
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: ERRCD Forum 2025-05-01
Series:Interdisciplinary Journal of Sociality Studies
Subjects:
Online Access:https://pubs.ufs.ac.za/index.php/ijss/article/view/1761
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author Bokang Amelia Mahlelehlele
Jeanette Elizabeth Maritz
Gisela Hildegard van Rensburg
author_facet Bokang Amelia Mahlelehlele
Jeanette Elizabeth Maritz
Gisela Hildegard van Rensburg
author_sort Bokang Amelia Mahlelehlele
collection DOAJ
description This study explores how Master of Nursing Sci­ence students navigate technology-mediated learning and institutional support, examining how digital platforms ei­ther promote or hinder equitable access in resource-lim­ited contexts through a critical pedagogy lens. A qualita­tive research approach, specifically constructivist grounded theory, was used to explore the problem. Data were collected during three focus group discussions in­volving 24 Master of Nursing Science students from the National University of Lesotho. The analysis identified key structural barriers, including unreliable internet con­nectivity, inadequate training on digital platforms, and disparities in technological literacy, which constrained students’ full participation in online learning. In response to these challenges, students developed adaptive strate­gies such as peer support networks, self-directed learning, and emotional resilience. However, relying on individual agency rather than systemic transformation underscores the persistent inequities that postgraduate students expe­rience in resource-limited contexts. The findings highlight the need for universities to transition from passive re­source provision to proactive institutional engagement, ensuring structured support that fosters mean­ingful learning experiences. To achieve equitable access in technology-mediated postgraduate nursing education, institutions must invest in digital infrastructure, faculty development, and psychosocial support mechanisms. This study contributes to the discourse on democratic education by advocating for systemic reforms that promote inclusive and participatory learning environments in postgraduate nursing education.
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spelling doaj-art-9af70943a46e4dac9a0259e75f1d3aec2025-08-20T03:12:54ZengERRCD ForumInterdisciplinary Journal of Sociality Studies2789-56612025-05-0151a08a0810.38140/ijss-2025.vol5.1.081727Democratic education in technology-mediated postgraduate nursing: Equity and access in resource-limited contextsBokang Amelia Mahlelehlele0https://orcid.org/0009-0009-9497-6568Jeanette Elizabeth Maritz1https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1051-1758Gisela Hildegard van Rensburg2https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0108-9943 University of South Africa, South Africa University of South Africa, South Africa University of South Africa, South Africa This study explores how Master of Nursing Sci­ence students navigate technology-mediated learning and institutional support, examining how digital platforms ei­ther promote or hinder equitable access in resource-lim­ited contexts through a critical pedagogy lens. A qualita­tive research approach, specifically constructivist grounded theory, was used to explore the problem. Data were collected during three focus group discussions in­volving 24 Master of Nursing Science students from the National University of Lesotho. The analysis identified key structural barriers, including unreliable internet con­nectivity, inadequate training on digital platforms, and disparities in technological literacy, which constrained students’ full participation in online learning. In response to these challenges, students developed adaptive strate­gies such as peer support networks, self-directed learning, and emotional resilience. However, relying on individual agency rather than systemic transformation underscores the persistent inequities that postgraduate students expe­rience in resource-limited contexts. The findings highlight the need for universities to transition from passive re­source provision to proactive institutional engagement, ensuring structured support that fosters mean­ingful learning experiences. To achieve equitable access in technology-mediated postgraduate nursing education, institutions must invest in digital infrastructure, faculty development, and psychosocial support mechanisms. This study contributes to the discourse on democratic education by advocating for systemic reforms that promote inclusive and participatory learning environments in postgraduate nursing education.https://pubs.ufs.ac.za/index.php/ijss/article/view/1761accessdemocratic educationpostgraduate nursingstudents’ supporttechnology
spellingShingle Bokang Amelia Mahlelehlele
Jeanette Elizabeth Maritz
Gisela Hildegard van Rensburg
Democratic education in technology-mediated postgraduate nursing: Equity and access in resource-limited contexts
Interdisciplinary Journal of Sociality Studies
access
democratic education
postgraduate nursing
students’ support
technology
title Democratic education in technology-mediated postgraduate nursing: Equity and access in resource-limited contexts
title_full Democratic education in technology-mediated postgraduate nursing: Equity and access in resource-limited contexts
title_fullStr Democratic education in technology-mediated postgraduate nursing: Equity and access in resource-limited contexts
title_full_unstemmed Democratic education in technology-mediated postgraduate nursing: Equity and access in resource-limited contexts
title_short Democratic education in technology-mediated postgraduate nursing: Equity and access in resource-limited contexts
title_sort democratic education in technology mediated postgraduate nursing equity and access in resource limited contexts
topic access
democratic education
postgraduate nursing
students’ support
technology
url https://pubs.ufs.ac.za/index.php/ijss/article/view/1761
work_keys_str_mv AT bokangameliamahlelehlele democraticeducationintechnologymediatedpostgraduatenursingequityandaccessinresourcelimitedcontexts
AT jeanetteelizabethmaritz democraticeducationintechnologymediatedpostgraduatenursingequityandaccessinresourcelimitedcontexts
AT giselahildegardvanrensburg democraticeducationintechnologymediatedpostgraduatenursingequityandaccessinresourcelimitedcontexts