Challenges to Accessibility in Virtual Distance Education: A Bibliometric Study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.56294/dm2025761Keywords:
Virtual Education Accessibility, Inclusive Learning Technologies, Digital Divide, Educational EquityAbstract
Introduction: The study provided a comprehensive bibliometric analysis addressing the challenges for virtual distance education, primarily among populations facing significant barriers, such as individuals with disabilities, web accessibility constraints, and those affected by diverse socioeconomic or geopolitical factors.
Methods: The analysis encompassed publications from the last ten years. A co-occurrence approach was employed to identify thematic trends, conceptual relationships, and geographic contributions. Data were filtered for relevance and subjected to quantitative indicators (e.g., publication counts by year) to track research evolution.
Results: The findings indicated a marked increase in scholarly attention to enhancing accessibility in virtual education, as evidenced by rising annual publication volumes. The United States, China, and the United Kingdom emerged as the leading contributors to this scientific discourse. Key challenges identified included technological barriers, socio-economic disparities, and the need for inclusive pedagogical strategies targeting marginalized groups.
Conclusions: The analysis underscored the importance of a multidimensional and inclusive approach to advancing digital education. By highlighting persistent obstacles and emerging solutions, the study informed policy, technological innovation, and instructional design aimed at fostering equitable participation in virtual distance education for underrepresented communities.
References
1. Gkrimpizi T, Peristeras V, Magnisalis I. Classification of Barriers to Digital Transformation in Higher Education Institutions: Systematic Literature Review. Educ Sci (Basel). 2023 Jul 20;13(7):746.
2. Alieto E, Abequibel-Encarnacion B, Estigoy E, Balasa K, Eijansantos A, Torres-Toukoumidis A. Teaching inside a digital classroom: A quantitative analysis of attitude, technological competence and access among teachers across subject disciplines. Heliyon. 2024 Jan;10(2):e24282.
3. Perry K, Meissel K, Hill MF. Rebooting assessment. Exploring the challenges and benefits of shifting from pen-and-paper to computer in summative assessment. Educ Res Rev. 2022 Jun;36:100451.
4. Müller C, Mildenberger T. Facilitating flexible learning by replacing classroom time with an online learning environment: A systematic review of blended learning in higher education. Educ Res Rev. 2021 Nov;34:100394.
5. Alrawashdeh GS, Fyffe S, Azevedo RFL, Castillo NM. Exploring the impact of personalized and adaptive learning technologies on reading literacy: A global meta-analysis. Educ Res Rev. 2024 Feb;42:100587.
6. Nayyar A, Żywiołek J, Rosak Szyrocka J, Naved M. Advances in Distance Learning in Times of Pandemic. Boca Raton: Chapman and Hall/CRC; 2023.
7. McCarthy KS, Crossley SA, Meyers K, Boser U, Allen LK, Chaudhri VK, et al. Toward more effective and equitable learning: Identifying barriers and solutions for the future of online education. Technology, Mind, and Behavior. 2022 Mar 31;3(1).
8. Then D, Pohlmann-Rother S. Transition to formal schooling of children with disabilities: A systematic review. Educ Res Rev. 2023 Feb;38:100492.
9. Manjari K, Verma M, Singal G. A smart hand for VI: Resource-constrained assistive technology for visually impaired. In: IoT-Based Data Analytics for the Healthcare Industry. Elsevier; 2021. p. 225–35.
10. Aljedaani W, Krasniqi R, Aljedaani S, Mkaouer MW, Ludi S, Al-Raddah K. If online learning works for you, what about deaf students? Emerging challenges of online learning for deaf and hearing-impaired students during COVID-19: a literature review. Univers Access Inf Soc. 2023 Aug 25;22(3):1027–46.
11. Shonfeld M, Ronen I. Online Learning for Students from Diverse Backgrounds: Learning Disability Students, Excellent Students and Average Students. IAFOR Journal of Education. 2015 Sep;3(2).
12. Sermier Dessemontet R, Martinet C, de Chambrier AF, Martini-Willemin BM, Audrin C. A meta-analysis on the effectiveness of phonics instruction for teaching decoding skills to students with intellectual disability. Educ Res Rev. 2019 Feb;26:52–70.
13. Elsahar Y, Hu S, Bouazza-Marouf K, Kerr D, Mansor A. Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) Advances: A Review of Configurations for Individuals with a Speech Disability. Sensors. 2019 Apr 22;19(8):1911.
14. Korkmaz Ö, Erer E, Erer D. Internet access and its role on educational inequality during the COVID-19 pandemic. Telecomm Policy. 2022 Jun;46(5):102353.
15. Meserve SA, Pemstein D. Google Politics: The Political Determinants of Internet Censorship in Democracies. Political Sci Res Methods. 2018 Apr 10;6(2):245–63.
16. Graves JM, Abshire DA, Amiri S, Mackelprang JL. Disparities in Technology and Broadband Internet Access Across Rurality. Fam Community Health. 2021 Oct;44(4):257–65.
17. Kirby A. Exploratory Bibliometrics: Using VOSviewer as a Preliminary Research Tool. Publications. 2023 Feb 20;11(1):10.
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Carlos Sam , Daisy Imbaquingo , Roxana Albarracín , Verónica Massón , Julio Guerra (Author)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
The article is distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License. Unless otherwise stated, associated published material is distributed under the same licence.
