Keywords:
digital education
educational technologies
adaptive learning
distance learning platforms
automated assessment
virtual reality

  • Abstract

    The study's relevance is due to the rapid development of digital technologies and the need for their effective integration into higher education to improve the quality of the educational process. The article examines the introduction of digital technologies and innovations in higher education in the period 2018-2024 with a focus on universities in the United States and Europe. The study was conducted using mixed methods, combining PRISMA bibliometric analysis, content analysis of curricula, and comparative analysis of data from leading US and European universities. The study analysed the impact of artificial intelligence, automated assessment systems, and distance learning platforms: Moodle, Blackboard, Canvas, and virtual and augmented reality. The level of integration of EdTech solutions in leading universities, including Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Stanford University, Harvard University, University of Oxford, ETH Zurich and Technical University of Munich, is studied, and key differences between American and European approaches to the digitalisation of education are identified. Particular attention is given to analysing the effectiveness of automated assessment systems that increase the transparency and accuracy of academic control and the impact of adaptive learning on student performance. It has been determined that introducing AI assistants and personalised learning platforms increases learning. The use of gamification and VR simulations in the educational process contributes to the growth of student motivation by 32%.  The article highlights the challenges associated with integrating the latest technologies, particularly the problem of data privacy, the difficulty of adapting teachers to new digital platforms, and the need to update the regulatory framework. The author proposes areas for promising digital transformation in education, such as the more extensive applications of AI, blockchain integration for the verifications of academic achievements, and the development of hybrid learning models that combine online instruction with traditional teaching methods.

  • References

    1. Anis, M. Z. A., Hadi, S., Rajiani, I., & Abbas, E. W. (2021). The managerial effects of leadership, knowledge sharing and innovation in higher education. Polish Journal of Management Studies, 23(1), 59–73. https://doi.org/10.17512/pjms.2021.23.1.04
    2. Archana, M. S., Vijaya Kumar, M. N., & Shyamasundar, M. S. (2022). Women entrepreneurship and innovation in higher education: Opportunities and challenges in India – A review. Journal of Engineering Education Transformations, 35(3), 37–44. https://doi.org/10.16920/jeet/2022/v35i3/22086
    3. Awad, M., Salameh, K., & Leiss, E. L. (2019). Evaluating learning management system usage at a small university. Proceedings of the 3rd International Conference on Information System and Data Mining (ICISDM 2019), 98–102. https://doi.org/10.1145/3325917.3325929
    4. Bakhmat, N., Sydoruk, L., Poberezhets, H., Misenyova, V., Boyarova, O., & Mazur, Y. (2023). Features of using the opportunities of the digital environment of the higher educational institution for the development of future economists' professional competence. Economic Affairs (New Delhi), 68(1), 43–50. https://doi.org/10.46852/0424-2513.1s.2023.6
    5. Bakhov, I., Rudenko, Y., Dudnik, A., Dehtiarova, N., & Petrenko, S. (2021). Problems of teaching future teachers of humanities the basics of fuzzy logic and ways to overcome them. International Journal of Early Childhood Special Education, 13(2), 844–854. https://doi.org/10.9756/INT-JECSE/V13I2.211127
    6. Barbón Pérez, O. G., & Fernández Pino, J. W. (2018). The role of strategic educational management in knowledge management, science, technology, and innovation in higher education. Educacion Medica, 19(1), 51–55. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.edumed.2016.12.001
    7. Bisri, A., Putri, A., & Rosmansyah, Yu. (2023). A systematic literature review on digital transformation in higher education: Revealing key success factors. International Journal of Emerging Technologies in Learning (iJET), 18(14), 164–187. http://dx.doi.org/10.3991/ijet.v18i14.40201
    8. Caliskan, A., & Zhu, C. (2020). Organisational culture and educational innovations in Turkish higher education: Perceptions and reactions of students. Educational Sciences: Theory and Practice, 20(1), 20–39. Retrieved May 22, 2025, from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/338893792_Organizational_Culture_and_Educational_Innovations_in_Turkish_Higher_Education_Perceptions_and_Reactions_of_Students
    9. Clarivate. (2025). The top 50 universities powering global innovation. https://clarivate.com/news/clarivate-identifies-top-50-universities-powering-global-innovation/
    10. Colvard, N. B., & Watson, C. E. (2018). The impact of open educational resources on various student success metrics. International Journal of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education, 30(2), 262–276. Retrieved May 22, 2025, from http://www.isetl.org/ijtlhe/
    11. Deroncele-Acosta, A., Palacios-Núñez, M. L., & Toribio-López, A. (2023). Digital transformation and technological innovation on higher education post-COVID-19. Sustainability, 15(3). https://doi.org/10.3390/su15032466
    12. Diaz-Garcia, V., Montero-Navarro, A., Rodríguez-Sánchez, J.-L., & Gallego-Losada, R. (2022). Digitalization and digital transformation in higher education: A bibliometric analysis. Frontiers in Psychology, 13, Article 1081595. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.1081595
    13. EDUCAUSE. (2018). Innovation in the business of higher education. Retrieved May 22, 2025, from https://er.educause.edu/articles/2018/3/innovation-in-the-business-of-higher-education
    14. Elrehail, H., Emeagwali, O. L., Alsaad, A., & Alzghoul, A. (2018). The impact of transformational and authentic leadership on innovation in higher education: The contingent role of knowledge sharing. Telematics and Informatics, 35(1), 55–67. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tele.2017.09.018
    15. European Parliament. (2023). The European Universities Initiative: First lessons, main challenges and perspectives. Retrieved May 22, 2025, from European Parliament website
    16. Ferreras Garcia, R., Sales Zaguirre, J., & Serradell López, E. (2021). Sustainable innovation in higher education: The impact of gender on innovation competences. Sustainability (Switzerland), 13(9). https://doi.org/10.3390/su13095004
    17. IEEE. (2025). Educating the future engineer business generalists to become powerful and dynamic leaders. Retrieved May 22, 2025, from IEEE EDUCON website
    18. Jakovljevic, M. (2019). Criteria for empowering innovation in higher education. Africa Education Review, 16(4), 53–71. https://doi.org/10.1080/18146627.2017.1369855
    19. Jia, Y. (2024). Digital innovations in higher education management and mechanisms for high-quality training of students. Applied Mathematics and Nonlinear Sciences, 9(1). https://doi.org/10.2478/amns.2023.2.01469
    20. Law, M. Y. (2022). A review of curriculum change and innovation for higher education. Journal of Education and Training Studies, 10(2), 16. https://doi.org/10.11114/jets.v10i2.5448
    21. Maalouf, G. Y. (2023). The role of servant leadership style in improving innovation in higher education institutions. International Journal of Professional Business Review, 8(9), e01787. https://doi.org/10.26668/businessreview/2023.v8i9.1787
    22. Major, J., Tait McCutcheon, S. L., Averill, R., Gilbert, A., Knewstubb, B., Mortlock, A., & Jones, L. (2020). Pedagogical innovation in higher education. International Journal of Innovative Teaching and Learning in Higher Education, 1(3), 1–18. Retrieved May 22, 2025, from repository link
    23. Maulani, G. A. F., Hamdani, N. A., Nugraha, S., Solihat, A., & Mubarok, T. M. S. (2021). Information technology resources and innovation performance in higher education. International Journal of Interactive Mobile Technologies, 15(4), 117–125. https://doi.org/10.3991/ijim.v15i04.20193
    24. McDonnell Naughton, M., & Păunescu, C. (2022). Facets of social innovation in higher education. In E. Carayannis (Ed.), Innovation, Technology and Knowledge Management (pp. 9–35). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-84044-0_2
    25. Mello Silva, M. F. de, & Vargas, E. R. de. (2022, January 6). Quality assurance systems: Enemies or allies of innovation in higher education institutions? Emerald Group Holdings Ltd. https://doi.org/10.1108/QAE-09-2020-0116
    26. MIT. (2024). Impact Report 2024. Retrieved May 22, 2025, from Michigan Innovation Partnerships website
    27. Mykhailyshyn, H., Kondur, O., & Serman, L. (2019). Innovation of education and educational innovations in conditions of modern higher education institution. Journal of Vasyl Stefanyk Precarpathian National University, 5(1), 9–16. https://doi.org/10.15330/jpnu.5.1.9-16
    28. Palmer, M. S., & Giering, J. A. (2024). Characterising pedagogical innovation in higher education. Innovative Higher Education, 49(3), 453–473. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10755-023-09681-6
    29. Riccomini, F. E., Cirani, C. B. S., Carvalho, C. C. de, & Storopoli, J. E. (2019). Educational innovation: Trends for higher education in Brazil. International Journal of Educational Management, 35(3), 564–578. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJEM-07-2019-0245
    30. Ruano Borbalan, J. C. (2024). New missions for universities in the era of innovation: European and global perspectives for excellence and sustainability. International Journal of Chinese Education, 13(1). https://doi.org/10.1177/2212585X241234334
    31. Sailer, M., & Homner, L. (2020). The gamification of learning: A meta-analysis. Educational Psychology Review, 32(1), 77–112. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10648-019-09498-w
    32. Sauphayana, S. (2021). Innovation in higher education management and leadership. Journal of Educational and Social Research, 11(6), 163–172. https://doi.org/10.36941/jesr-2021-0137
    33. Sciarelli, M., Gheith, M. H., & Tani, M. (2020). The relationship between quality management practices, organisational innovation, and technical innovation in higher education. Quality Assurance in Education, 28(3), 137–150. https://doi.org/10.1108/QAE-10-2019-0102
    34. Seaborn, K., & Fels, D. I. (2015). Gamification in theory and action: A survey. International Journal of Human–Computer Studies, 74, 14–31. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhcs.2014.09.006
    35. Sharif, R. (2019, November 1). The relations between acculturation and creativity and innovation in higher education: A systematic literature review. Educational Research Review, 28, 100287. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.edurev.2019.100287
    36. Tassone, V. C., Biemans, H. J. A., den Brok, P., & Runhaar, P. (2022). Mapping course innovation in higher education: A multifaceted analytical framework. Higher Education Research and Development, 41(7), 2458–2472. https://doi.org/10.1080/07294360.2021.1985089
    37. Tkachenko, A. (2024). Innovations of distance education of foreign languages in higher education institutions. Modern Engineering and Innovative Technologies, 3(33–03), 66–72. https://doi.org/10.30890/2567-5273.2024-33-00-039
    38. Valencia Arias, A., Gómez Bayona, L., Moreno López, G., Sialer Rivera, N., Bernal, O. V., Gallegos, A., & Arias Vargas, F. J. (2023). Research trends around open innovation in higher education: Advances and future direction. Frontiers in Education, 8. https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2023.1146990
    39. Vidicki, P., Vrgović, P., Stevanov, B., & Medić, N. (2023). Framework for measuring innovation performance in higher education institutions. Tehnički Vjesnik, 30(1), 68–79. https://doi.org/10.17559/TV-20220224092742
    40. Wilson, K., & Sy, J. (2021). A framework for managing innovation in higher education: Lessons learnt from the UAE iPad initiative. Learning and Teaching in Higher Education: Gulf Perspectives, 17(1), 16–28. https://doi.org/10.1108/LTHE-08-2020-0013
    41. Yuldashev, O. K., Khomiachenko, S. I., & Yuldashev, S. O. (2022). Organisational and legal model of competence-based education as a means of the transition to innovative economy. Danube, 13(2), 107–118. https://doi.org/10.2478/danb-2022-0007
    42. Zhang, J. L. (2020). The application of human comprehensive development theory and deep learning in innovation education in higher education. Frontiers in Psychology, 11. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.01605
Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Copyright (c) 2025 The Authors

How to cite

Varhata, O., Udodova, O., Ardelian, O., Apalat, H., & Vykhrystiuk, A. (2025). Advancing higher education through technology and innovation. Multidisciplinary Reviews, 9(1), 2026037. https://doi.org/10.31893/multirev.2026037
Crossref
Scopus
Google Scholar
Europe PMC
  • Article viewed - 1266
  • PDF downloaded - 505