Higher Education in Digital Age

Abstract

The article presents a theoretical understanding of the content of the stages of university development and its transformations depending on the development of society. The paper describes four university models that were specific for historical stages (University 1.0, University 2.0, University 3.0, University 4.0.). Particular attention is paid to identifying features of the University 4.0., a promising model of universities that combines physical and virtual space, developing on digital platforms. The authors conclude that at the present stage of development of society there are obvious trends in the development of universities and higher education, including a change in the status of universities due to increased risks in science and experimentation, the transition from competition to partnership interaction, access to large databases (Big Data), the transition to multi-format open educational resources (Open Online Resources), a combination of new and traditional training formats, redevelopment of classrooms in the format of open space (Open Space Education). Obviously, such technologies as mobile training (Bring Your Own Devices), transition to the “inverted classes” (Flipped Classroom), the creation of “wearable” technologies like Google Glass, the development of adaptive learning through the introduction of digital platforms and the spread of the Internet of things will be widespread in the nearest future.