A systemic model for evidence-based digital certification and evaluation in low-connectivity educational contexts

Authors

Keywords: madurez digital, certificación educativa, offline-first, competencia digital docente, brecha digital, infraestructura escolar

Supporting Agencies

  • unicef
  • aecid

Abstract

Certifying digital maturity in education systems in vulnerable contexts requires comprehensive strategies designed to overcome structural barriers to connectivity and biases in self-perception. This article explores the fundamentals of a systemic assessment by analyzing the CódiceRD Model, a strategy implemented in the Dominican Republic that integrates dimensions of leadership, infrastructure, and teacher digital competence under an equity framework. It describes the offline-first software architecture developed for the project, which allows for on-site audits and the collection of multimedia evidence without the need for the internet, ensuring data integrity through deferred synchronization. The results of the pilot study, conducted in 110 educational centers, demonstrate that the combination of a contextualized pedagogical model and a resilient technological tool allows for the generation of automated Digital Technology Plans (PTD) and certifications based on factual evidence. It is concluded that this approach offers a scalable solution to reduce the digital divide and foster a culture of continuous improvement in education systems in the Global South.

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Published
01-07-2026
How to Cite
Garay Ruiz, U., Portillo-Berasaluce, J., Tejada Garitano, E., & Arce Alonso, A. (2026). A systemic model for evidence-based digital certification and evaluation in low-connectivity educational contexts. Distance Education Journal, 26(84). Retrieved from https://revistas.um.es/red/article/view/697661
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