ICT Framework for the Personal Learning Environment (PLE-ICT) in Higher Education: Results from Experts’ Interview

Abstract

The incorporation of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) into higher education has profoundly revolutionized the manner in which students engage with educational resources and acquire knowledge. Personal Learning Environments (PLEs) facilitate a tailored and adaptable learning approach, empowering students to take charge of their own educational experiences. Nonetheless, to effectively leverage PLEs in higher education, a robust ICT framework is imperative. This paper explores the development of an ICT framework specifically designed for PLEs within the context of higher education. The framework encompasses diverse ICT attributes, including accessibility, flexibility, data analysis, extensive capacity, automation, personalization, and security. Analyzing interview data led to the formulation of a PLE-ICT framework prototype, comprising five dimensions: ICT hardware, ICT software, ICT services, project development, and support team. The findings of this study enrich the theoretical comprehension of ICT integration in PLEs and offer valuable insights for the future elaboration of more intricate PLE-ICT scales. The suggested ICT framework delivers a comprehensive and pragmatic blueprint for the implementation of PLEs in higher education institutions, with the potential to augment student learning experiences and outcomes.