Use of Digital Media in Higher Education across Country Contexts: A Comparison between Germany and Thailand

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3991/ijet.v16i20.24263

Keywords:

Germany, Thailand, media usage, culture, digital technology, digital media, online learning, higher education

Abstract


Digital media and educational technologies have the potential to support an increasing internationalization of education, connecting students across borders and in international classrooms. However, practitioners and scholars need to further discuss the adaptation of online learning pedagogies to cultural contexts students operate in. Focusing on two countries that differ noticeably in cultural value orientations, this study compares primary data of media use and attitudes of higher education students from Thailand with secondary data of students from Germany. Acceptance, frequency of use and perceived usefulness of various media, ownership of and activities performed via digital devices as well as social media use were assessed. Results disclosed a preference for and more frequent use of entertainment media and collaborative tools among Thai learners. German students showed higher acceptance of office tools and performed fewer study related tasks via social media. Both groups found various digital media more useful as compared to how often such were used. These and further findings are discussed considering the possible influence of educational-, cyber- and national culture as well of student demographics.

Author Biographies

Christin Grothaus, Mahidol University International College

Social Sciences

Carina Dolch, University of Oldenburg

Faculty of Education and Social Sciences

Olaf Zawacki-Richter, University of Oldenburg

Faculty of Education and Social Sciences

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Published

2021-10-25

How to Cite

Grothaus, C., Dolch, C., & Zawacki-Richter, O. (2021). Use of Digital Media in Higher Education across Country Contexts: A Comparison between Germany and Thailand. International Journal of Emerging Technologies in Learning (iJET), 16(20), pp. 64–83. https://doi.org/10.3991/ijet.v16i20.24263

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Papers