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

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 digital media and technologies for academic purposes were assessed. The study further measured ownership of digital devices as well as study related activities performed via social media and digital devices. Results disclosed a stronger 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 and educational tools 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 as of student demographics.