Digital technologies in support of students learning in Higher Education: literature review

Abstract

<jats:p>Digital technologies are an integral part of Higher Education teaching, revealing a set of technologies chosen to integrate formal learning contexts, and therefore being used by students in support of learning. This paper presents a literature review mapping the digital technologies set for higher education students to use in formal education contexts, over the last five years between 2012 and 2017. Results show a pattern of technologies reflecting teacher’s choice for methods combining face-to-face and at distance learning, frequently in relation to the adoption of flipped classroom methods. Mapping the digital technologies used by students, showed a pattern of three most used in a total of nine types identified. Institutional Learning Management Systems mainly support a wider access to information and learning materials, followed by technologies that promote publishing and sharing content related to class activities, and a broad range of technologies categorized under ICTs. The overall impact of use of technologies in students learning process and outcomes revealed to be positive, used with the intention to promote students’ active engagement and participation in the learning process inside and outside the classroom walls. The data also revealed digital technologies to support more transmissive ways of teaching, facilitating students individually to Access, share and publish information, and significantly lesser used to promote collaborative and cooperative learning.</jats:p>

A quantitative content analysis of Turkish state universities’ official websites in terms of their preparedness and actions during emergency distance education in the early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic period

“…The present study yielded the finding that an LMS was the main tool used to ensure students' access to learning resources and in-class activities in DE during the pandemic period. This finding is also in agreement with relevant studies in the literature (Pinto & Leite, 2020;Rhode et al, 2017;Sandars et al, 2020). Corroborating this, Demir and Yurdugül (2015a) came to the conclusion that ICT infrastructure has a place in every model designed for assessing institutions' preparedness for DE.…”

Impact on the Virtual Learning Environment Due to COVID-19

“…It must be considered that quality teaching and learning processes in higher education are practically unthinkable without the use of technology, Sustainability 2021, 13, 582 2 of 16 especially because of its impact on the development of the skills and abilities needed for the 21st century [4]. ICTs are already part of the teaching of higher education to integrate formal learning contexts, being used by students in support of their formation [5]. In its continuous scientific and pedagogical actualization, university education must master the new methodologies and the importance of ICT requires a responsibility, and it is up to its professionals to preserve, improve and update the levels of digital competence for the progress of the teaching and learning processes [6].…”

A comparison of three interactive examination designs in active learning classrooms for nursing students

“…Research has shown that educators experience several challenges in transitioning from in-class lessons to online-based ones, including a lack of technological support and the need for professional development [ 51 ]. A recent review has additionally indicated that few studies concerning digital technologies in higher education have involved evaluating interpersonal communication and collaborative learning from the perspective of students [ 52 ]. Thus, as we intended in our study, research in the future should also consider those experiential interpersonal aspects of online education.…”