Application of data mining techniques to identify the main factors affecting the digital divide among students in Colombia

Authors

  • Camilo Andrés Navarro Forero Universidad Escuela Colombiana de Ingeniería Julio Garavito
  • Constanza Alvarado Universidad Ecci
  • Phillipe Aniorte Indicatic Panamá
  • Ricardo González Universidad de Bogotá Jorge Tadeo Lozano
  • María Catalina Ramírez Cajiao Universidad de los Andes

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.26507/paper.4580

Keywords:

Brecha digital, Minería de datos, Competencias digitales, Análisis de datos, Factores determinantes, Modelo descriptivos y predictivos

Abstract

The digital divide or digital gap  is defined as the inequality in access, capacity, and the necessary skills to effectively use information and communication technologies (ICT). Although traditionally this divide has been measured by internet access, the current challenge lies in the fact that many people, despite having access to technology, lack the necessary skills to make the most of it. In the Colombian educational context, this issue is reflected in the limitations faced by students to develop their digital skills, which negatively impacts their ability to make the most of the available technological resources. Since 2022, we have been working on a project to identify the main factors influencing the digital divide among students in Colombia, using advanced data mining techniques.

There are multiple factors that can contribute to this divide and accurately identifying them is key to improving educational quality and fostering the appropriate use of ICT among students. Therefore, this study proposes the application of data mining techniques to analyze large volumes of information and uncover hidden patterns that allow us to better understand the factors affecting students' digital capabilities. One of the major challenges in this process is data cleaning, as some participants do not provide all the requested information, either because they do not understand the data collection tools or due to the difficulties inherent in the digital divide itself. Therefore, it is necessary to explore various data cleaning techniques, exploratory analysis, and predictive modeling to understand the processes that generate the digital divide and design effective strategies to address it.

In terms of methodology, we have designed a hierarchical matrix that facilitates mapping the factors of the digital divide. This methodology is based not only on bibliographic review but also on fieldwork carried out in Colombian schools, where relevant data has been collected through surveys and other reliable sources. This data includes information on internet access, availability of technological devices, school infrastructure, socioeconomic level, geographic location, and academic performance in technological activities, which are essential for assessing students' digital competencies.

Through this fieldwork, we have identified that the factors determining the digital divide are clearly established and can be classified into different categories. In particular, the research conducted by Constanza Alvarado from Universidad ECCI and Philippe Aniorte from Indicatic Panama has been fundamental in deepening the definition and measurement approaches of the digital divide. Moreover, the methodologies employed in these studies have served as the foundation for the development of the hierarchical matrix and for the association of key factors.

Finally, the potential of predictive models is highlighted, as they can, based on the analysis of the collected data, anticipate the impact of interventions such as investments in technological infrastructure or digital training programs. These models can be very useful in designing more inclusive and efficient educational policies aimed at closing the digital divide in Colombian schools. In this regard, the creation of a digital divide observatory would significantly contribute to monitoring and improving students' technological and educational conditions, facilitating informed, data-driven decision-making.

References

Alvarado, Constanza; Aniorté, Philippe. (2023) Identification de Facteurs Humains associés à la fracture numérique. EIAH 2023 - Atelier Education 4.0: caractérisation des facteurs humains dans les parcours pédagogiques, LIUPPA Pau, Jun 2023, Brest (France), France. hal-04312879.

Alvarado, C. & Fonseca, M. E. (2024). Educación 4.0 y transición digital: educación en ingeniería y análisis de brecha digital. Encuentro Internacional de Educación en Ingeniería. DOI: https://doi.org/10.26507/paper.3690.

Duron, T., Gallon, L., y Aniorte, P. (2019, April). Modelling learner’s perseverance in education software. In Information Systems Education Conference (ISECON 2019). USA.

Moine, J. M., Gordillo, S. E., & Haedo, A. S. (2011). Análisis comparativo de metodologías para la gestión de proyectos de minería de datos. In XVII Congreso Argentino de Ciencias de la Computación (CACIC 2011).

Navarro Forero,C,A; Untangling Complexity Peace Building Engineering ISSN 1933-3633

(Navarro C,A 2024) Importancia de los Fondos de Conocimiento en las nuevas praxis de ingeniería ISSN 2954-7288 DOI 10.26507 PAPER 3614

(Navarro C,A 2023) Transformación Curricular y Inclusión ,los retos para la facultad de Ingeniería de la Fundación Universitaria Salesiana Bogotá DC Colombia

(Navarro CA 2022) "Aplicación de la Cibernética Organizacional de Norbert Wiener y de la Metodología de Sistema Viable MSV de Stafford Beer a la estructura organizacional de la Fundación Universitaria Salesiana, Diagnóstico Patologías Organizacionales y Sugerencias."

(Navarro C et al 2023) “En búsqueda de un Sistema Académico más Orgánico”"Aplicación de la Cibernética Organizacional de Norbert Wiener y de la Metodología de Sistema Viable MSV de Stafford Beer a la estructura organizacional de la Fundación Universitaria Salesiana, Diagnóstico Patologías Organizacionales y Sugerencias."

(Navarro CA, Darlrymple,O; 2020) Co-creation of a systemic models to support community engagement projects American Society of Engineering Education ASEE PRISM 2020 0000-0002-0299-3101DOI 10.182601-2—34293.

(Navarro C,A; Global Education Leadership 2019) The Whole is more than the sum of the parts -The Complexity Funnel & The Social Transformation Workshops: A Model for Sustainable, Holistic Change. April 22 2020 webmasterglobaled Global ED Leadership. Camilo Andrés Navarro Forero

(Navarro CA et al 2019) Co-design with the community and empowerment of good production practices. humanitarian engineering degree option at Sergio Arboleda university quinoa challenge American Society of Engineering Education ASEE PRISM 2019 Tampa Bay Florid USA 0000-0002-0299-3101

(Ramírez MC, Navarro, CA et al. 2019) Laboratorios de formación para la ingeniería: trabajo en equipo y responsabilidad social. Encuentro Internacional de Educación en Ingeniería EIEI ACOFI Asociación Colombiana de formación en Ingeniería Cartagena de Indias Colombia 2019 ISSN 2954-7288-10.26507 Ponencia 111

Schröer, C., Kruse, F., & Gómez, J. M. (2021). A systematic literature review on applying CRISP-DM process model. Procedia Computer Science, 181, 526-534. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.procs.2021.01.199

(Navarro CA, et al 2018) Designing Humanitarian Engineering from Practice: Experiences and Outcomes in a Developing World Context.DOI 10.18260/1-2—30282 PAPER 3082

Wirth, R., & Hipp, J. (2000, April). CRISP-DM: Towards a standard process model for data mining. In Proceedings of the 4th international conference on the practical applications of knowledge discovery and data mining (Vol. 1, pp. 29-39).

Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET). (2020). Criteria for Accrediting Engineering Programs. Baltimore: ABET.

Consejo Nacional de Acreditación (CNA). (2020). Lineamientos para la acreditación de programas académicos en Colombia. Bogotá: Ministerio de Educación Nacional.

European Network for Accreditation of Engineering Education (ENAEE). (2020). EUR-ACE Framework Standards and Guidelines. Brussels: ENAEE.

MinTIC. (2021) Índice de Brecha Digital Regional: Metodología. diciembre de 2021. https://colombiatic.mintic.gov.co/679/articles-198029_recurso_4.pdf

ODS. (2024). Objetivos de Desarrollo Sostenible. https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/es/objetivos-de-desarrollo-sostenible/.

Marco Nacional de Cualificaciones (MNC 2024) https://www.mineducacion.gov.co/1780/articles-363488_recurso_31.pdf

Plan Nacional Decenal de Educación 2016-2026. https://www.mineducacion.gov.co/portal/micrositios-institucionales/Plan-Nacional-Decenal-de-Educacion-2016-2026/

Misión de Sabios de 2019 en Colombia https://minciencias.gov.co/sites/default/files/libro_mision_de_sabios_digital_1_2_0.pdf

Duron, T. (2022). Modèlisation et détection de la persévérance en milieu scolaire en contexte informatique (Doctoral dissertation, Pau).

(Fonseca R,E) El mundo es nuestra meta la búsqueda de la competitividad para su empresa.

(Morales C 2005) Evalué la gestión de su empresa Más allá de la estrategia y de los indicadores.

(Morales C 2014) El emprendedor de organizaciones Innovadoras

(Navarro C.A 2023) Untangling Complexity Peace Building Engineering, Systems Thinking and Complexity Management to support Community Development Springer

Navarro C.A 2024 Reimagining Engineering Education Springer Chapter 10 Engineering Exchanges: Knowledge Sharing for Social Justice p 127-p 148. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-97-5261-4_10

Baillie C, Kadetz P Reimagining engineering education Springer DOI https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-97-5261-4.

Kelleher, J. D., & Tierney, B. (2021). Ciencia de datos: La serie de conocimientos esenciales de MIT Press. Ediciones UC. pp 52.

How to Cite

[1]
C. A. Navarro Forero, C. Alvarado, P. Aniorte, R. González, and M. C. Ramírez Cajiao, “Application of data mining techniques to identify the main factors affecting the digital divide among students in Colombia”, EIEI ACOFI, Sep. 2025.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Published

2025-09-08
Article metrics
Abstract views
Galley vies
PDF Views
HTML views
Other views
Escanea para compartir
QR Code
Crossref Cited-by logo