Социальные взаимодействия в системе высшего образования в условиях информатизации общества

Abstract

Informatization of various aspects of social life and digitalization of economic sectors changed the content of the activities of many social institutions. This touched upon the problem of social interactions in modern higher education. Practical actions in the aspect of digitalization of higher education require social reflection for their effective regulation. The purpose of the article is to determine the factors influencing the implementation of the main institutional functions of higher education through social interactions of teachers and students in the context of digitalization of higher education (in particular, during the transition to distance learning). The article discusses theoretical approaches to understanding digitalization processes, which are complemented by the well-known approaches to studying the essence of social interactions. Systemic and institutional approaches were used. The theoretical analysis of the features of social interactions using digital technologies is supplemented by a secondary analysis of sociological research on the problems of digitalization of the higher education system, the introduction of digital technologies and distance learning at universities, and the results of a sociological survey of the students at Penza State University (April–May 2020). The article describes the experience of leading universities in the use of artificial intelligence, big data analytics and the work of neural networks in university activities. On the basis of the conducted research and secondary data analysis, it was concluded that the institutional function of knowledge transfer in the higher education system was quite successfully performed in the new learning conditions. The possibilities of social interactions and communications with teachers and management structures of universities are influenced by technological, educational, organizational and communication factors. Under their influence, the professional and general cultural competencies of university graduates will be formed, which are prerequisites for them to occupy new social statuses after graduation.