The Effect of Digital Technology on Educational Outcomes through Student Engagement in Distance Education

Hani Jarrah, Hanene Lahiani

Abstract

In higher education, digital technologies completely change teaching and learning, with the rapid technological development compounding the problem. Because of the extensive usage of technology among today's college and university students, higher education institutions worldwide have recognized the need to use it in teaching and learning for certain reasons. Over the last two decades, studies have speculated on the beneficial and negative effects of students' constant interaction with technology in distance education. This study intended to investigate the effect of digital technology and educational outcomes through the mediating effect of student engagement. The convenience sampling approach was used to obtain 378 students and staff data. In addition, this study analyzed the data using the Partial Least Square Structural Equation Model (PLS-SEM). The study's findings indicated that digital technology and student engagement positively and significantly affect educational outcomes in distance education. In addition, the results revealed that digital technology indirectly influences educational outcomes through the mediation effect of student engagement. This study concluded that to comprehend the changes occurring in higher education. More attention should be devoted to establishing policies and strategies to increase student engagement in digital technologies in distance education of higher education contexts. From a distance education viewpoint, the current review investigated the determinants of educational outcomes through the mediating effect of student engagement. These findings have significant implications as distance education becomes a basic delivery mode of study in the coming decades. The methodological approach used in this study and the digital technology in distance education greatly improve current literature in the educational sector.

 

Keywords: distance education, digital technology, educational outcomes, higher education, Partial Least Square Structural Equation Model.


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