Digital Transformation in Higher Education: A Multidisciplinary Review

Abstract

Digital transformation has become a vital driver of innovation in higher education through the integration of advanced digital technologies into learning, teaching, research, and institutional management processes. This multidisciplinary review aims at summarizing the evidence obtained in human-based studies involving university students, academic staff, academic administrators, and institutions of higher education about the application areas, recent developments, challenges, and future directions of digital transformation. In particular, the following technologies were discussed in the context of their ability to enhance the quality of education: Learning Management System (LMS), cloud computing, Artificial Intelligence (AI), learning analytics, digital libraries, and other emerging technologies. Although the application of these technologies is promising for higher education, challenges associated with the digital divide, inadequate infrastructure, cybersecurity, data privacy issues, academic integrity, and ethical problems related to AI keep affecting successful implementation. It should be noted that there are several research gaps that require more attention in the future studies. They include insufficient number of longitudinal studies, lack of evidence from developing countries, and insufficient knowledge about the long-term effects of emerging technologies.