Students’ attitudes toward the use of digital technologies in education at regional universities

This article is based on the results of an empirical study examining students’ attitudes toward the implementation of digital technologies in the learning process within higher education, specifically focusing on online and distance learning modalities. It is emphasized that while the COVID-19 pandemic has facilitated the rapid integration of digital technologies into the educational framework of higher education, thereby improving students’ perceptions of these technologies, they continue to view them primarily as a necessary substitute for traditional lesson formats. For example, the use of online learning attracts young people from the point of view of practical benefits: the opportunity to listen to the recording of the lesson, saving time on the way to university and back, the reality of combining study and other employment, including work. Nevertheless, it can be anticipated that students will demonstrate an active and engaged attitude toward any tools that facilitate their learning process. This entails developing a more flexible educational approach that enables the establishment of mixed learning practices, thereby providing students with additional opportunities to deepen their professional skills, particularly in master’s programs. The findings suggest a growing demand for educational frameworks that integrate both digital and traditional elements, catering to the diverse needs and preferences of today’s learners in regional higher education institutions.