Prerequisites for Accepting the Digital Educational Environment in New Cultural and Historical Conditions

Abstract

According to cultural historical activity theory motivation, adaptability, study-related experience (“perezhivanie”), and moral codes may be considered as prerequisites for Digital educational environment (DEE) acceptance. To measure the attitudes towards DEE a Scale for Assessing University Digital Educational Environment was used (AUDEE Scale by M. Sorokova, M. Odintsova, and N. Radchikova). Academic motivation was evaluated by “Academic Motivation Scales” Questionnaire (by T. Gordeeva, O. Sychev, and E. Osin). Study-related experiences were measured by Activity-Related Experiences Assessment technique (AREA) developed by D. Leontiev and his colleagues. Moral behavior was evaluated with the help of Moral Disengagement Questionnaire (MD-24) adapted by Y. Ledovaya and her colleagues. Students' adaptability was accessed by a questionnaire developed by T. Dubovitskaya and A. Krylova. 406 students of Moscow State University of Psychology and Education took part in the investigation (90,1% female). The average age was 28,7±9,6 years (median = 24 years) varying from 19 to 72 years. The results showed that it is possible to distinguish two groups based on the results of AUDEE scale: Acceptance group and Resistance group. Acceptance group has higher scores in almost all motivation indicators, study-related experiences of pleasure and meaning, adaptability to educational activities, and lower scores in five out of seven moral disengagement strategies. Statistical analysis (classification trees) showed that motivation (both external and internal) and study-related experience are key resources for the DEE acceptance.