IMPORTANT TRENDS IN THE APPLICATION OF DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES IN HIGHER EDUCATION

Abstract

These days information technology has held a firm place in all aspects of human life and activity. These tendencies are leading to positive changes, such as the development of various fields, professional and personal growth of people. Likewise, information and communication technologies have already been able to find important place in education as well.On this occasion, there have been adopted several Presidential and higher education ministry decrees in our country. The introduction of Moodle Electronic Education System, the organization of online courses, the introduction of blended courses, the open-source (MOOC-Massive Open Online Course) courses in higher education institutions are examples of the development of digital technology in education. The possibility of students mobility in the internet, search and retrieval of information, to study at any place and time, and many other advantages make learning and teaching comfortable. Modern technology has specific goals such as facilitation of learning and teaching instructional and learning activities, making a learning process interesting, assessment, managing information, combining data, communicating, developing relationships between a teacher-learner and parents, and facilitating professional collaboration and professional development. The objective of this trend in education is not only to educate students and to increase students' computer literacy and information technology, but also to encourage independent and creative thinking and self-expression of learners.According to UNESCO and NMC Horizon Media Consortium report, digital literacy has become a integral part of education aiming to shape lifelong learning skills of students, which can assist them later to be employed and to continue education independently.