Digital education for equity: review of program effectiveness to expand access and quality education worldwide

Abstract

Technology can be utilized as a powerful tool to deliver education to those who would otherwise have limited or no access to it, while also improving the quality of instruction provided to students–thus contributing to the reduction of educational inequality. Digital education is definitively established as a strategic means to expand access and reduce disparities across diverse educational contexts. This contribution presents a global overview of digital education programs, analyzing their outcomes, effectiveness, and potential for scalability. The methodology consisted of a systematic literature review of programs implemented worldwide, focusing on those with published empirical evidence and measurable results. Searches were conducted in English and Spanish using general and academic search engines, with keywords such as “digital access to education program” and “digital education policy.” Identified programs were categorized according to the type of leading organization: government, private sector, or non-governmental organizations (NGOs). Findings reveal that while public programs are often large-scale, their results are inconsistent. For instance, Uruguay’s “Plan Ceibal” reported positive impacts in mathematics achievement, whereas Catalonia’s laptop distribution initiative showed negative effects in standardized test scores. Colombia’s “Computers for Education” program successfully reduced dropout rates and improved higher education enrollment, although its impact varied between urban and rural areas.