ASSESSING THE IMPACT OF DIGITAL LEARNING ON ACHIEVING SDG 4 IN HIGHER EDUCATION IN PAKISTAN
Keywords:
Digital Divide, Digital Learning, Higher Education, Pakistan, SDG 4
Abstract
Digital learning integration in higher education is a crucial approach to support the attainment of SDG 4, which aims to provide inclusive and fair quality education for everyone. This research aims to evaluate the influence of digital learning programs on the attainment of Sustainable Development Goal 4 in higher education institutions in Pakistan. Implementing a mixed-methods research approach, the study included a comprehensive survey of 384 individuals, including students, teachers, and administrators from various institutions. Additionally, semi-structured interviews were performed with relevant stakeholders. For quantitative analysis, the sample size was determined using Cochran's method. The results demonstrate a strong and positive correlation between digital learning programs and achieving Sustainable Development Goal 4. The regression analysis produced an F-value of 15.47 and a p-value of less than 0.001. Analysis of descriptive data reveals that the average efficacy of digital learning is 3.8 out of 5 points, with significant variations between urban and rural institutions (ANOVA, F = 23.72, p < 0.001). A thematic analysis of qualitative data reveals significant obstacles, such as infrastructure and digital literacy deficiencies, and emphasises the need for institutional preparedness and legislative backing. The research findings indicate that while digital learning benefits the attainment of Sustainable Development Goal 4, specific measures are necessary to tackle the digital literacy gap and improve the quality of digital education. The implications of these results are of great importance for policymakers and educators in their efforts to advance fair access and excellence in higher education by using digital learning methodologies.
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[2] Ahmed, Z., Malik, S., & Nawaz, S. (2024). Digital learning and SDG 4: A critical review of current strategies in South Asian higher education. Journal of Comparative and International Education.
[3] Ali, R., Hussain, T., & Ahmed, N. (2022). Public-private partnerships for digital learning in Pakistan: Opportunities and challenges. Journal of Development Studies.
[4] Ali, S., & Bano, R. (2024). Rural-urban disparities in digital learning readiness in Pakistan. Journal of Educational Policy and Leadership.
[5] Anderson, M., & Rainie, L. (2021). The future of digital learning and education: Key trends. Pew Research Center.
[6] Anwar, S., & Ali, T. (2023). Faculty readiness for digital education in Pakistani higher education institutions. Education and Information Technologies.
[7] Asghar, M., & Qureshi, S. (2023). Strategic integration of digital learning in higher education for sustainable development in Pakistan. Sustainable Development Journal.
[8] Aslam, M., Khan, A., & Rehman, N. (2024). Challenges in digital education in Pakistan: A critical analysis. Journal of Higher Education Studies.
[9] Baek, Y., & Monaghan, J. (2023). Blended learning in higher education: An evidence-based review. Journal of Blended Learning.
[10] Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2006). Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3(2), 77-101.
[11] Bryman, A. (2016). Social Research Methods (5th ed.). Oxford University Press.
[12] Chen, P., & Carless, D. (2023). Leveraging digital tools to enhance higher education: A policy review. Higher Education Quarterly.
[13] Cochran, W. G. (1977). Sampling Techniques (3rd ed.). John Wiley & Sons.
[14] Creswell, J. W., & Plano Clark, V. L. (2018). Designing and Conducting Mixed Methods Research (3rd ed.). SAGE Publications.
[15] Field, A. (2018). Discovering Statistics Using IBM SPSS Statistics (5th ed.). SAGE Publications.
[16] Fowler, F. J. (2014). Survey Research Methods (5th ed.). SAGE Publications.
[17] Government of Pakistan. (2020). Pakistan education statistics 2018-19. Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training.
[18] HEC. (2021). Digital transformation strategy for higher education in Pakistan. Higher Education Commission of Pakistan.
[19] Hegarty, B., Burke, L., & Fitzgerald, M. (2022). Digital learning for inclusive education: Strategies and impacts. Journal of Inclusive Education.
[20] Higher Education Commission of Pakistan. (2021). Annual report on the state of higher education in Pakistan. HEC.
[21] Hussain, S., Ahmed, R., & Khan, M. (2024). Evaluating digital learning effectiveness in Pakistani universities: Towards achieving SDG 4. International Journal of Higher Education Research.
[22] Iqbal, M., Shafiq, M., & Qureshi, S. (2022). Digital divide and higher education in Pakistan: A critical analysis. Journal of Educational Technology.
[23] Jamil, M., & Qazi, M. (2024). Policy frameworks for digital learning in Pakistan: Current status and future directions. International Journal of Educational Policy Research.
[24] Khan, M., Zafar, F., & Ali, S. (2023). Digital literacy among educators in Pakistan: Current status and future directions. Educational Research and Reviews.
[25] Kirkwood, A., & Price, L. (2021). Technology-enhanced learning in higher education: Exploring the opportunities and challenges. Learning, Media and Technology.
[26] Mahmood, K. (2021). The role of digital learning in achieving quality education in Pakistan. International Journal of Educational Development.
[27] Malik, A., & Hussain, S. (2023). Addressing the digital divide in Pakistan: Implications for educational equity. Asia-Pacific Journal of Education.
[28] Means, B., Toyama, Y., Murphy, R., Bakia, M., & Jones, K. (2020). The effectiveness of online and blended learning: A meta-analysis of the empirical literature. Teachers College Record.
[29] Means, B., Toyama, Y., Murphy, R., & Jones, K. (2021). The impact of digital learning in higher education. Educational Technology Research and Development.
[30] Mustafa, A., & Fatima, B. (2024). Digital transformation and its impact on higher education quality in Pakistan. International Journal of Educational Development.
[31] Naseem, M., Qadir, R., & Awan, M. (2023). Factors influencing the success of digital learning in Pakistani universities. Pakistan Journal of Education.
[32] Naseer, A., & Raza, H. (2024). Digital readiness of educational institutions during COVID-19: The case of Pakistan. Journal of Educational Change.
[33] Nazir, F., Anwar, S., & Akhtar, M. (2023). Barriers to digital learning in higher education: Insights from Pakistan. Education and Information Technologies.
[34] Palvia, S., Shankar, S., & Sala, S. (2023). Digital learning environments: Future directions in higher education. International Journal of Educational Technology.
[35] Rehman, A., Khan, S., & Nawaz, A. (2022). Bridging the digital divide: A case study of rural higher education in Pakistan. Journal of Rural Studies.
[36] Rehman, H., & Yaseen, F. (2022). The impact of the digital shift on pedagogical practices in higher education in Pakistan. Journal of Education and Learning.
[37] Robinson, S., Sanders, J., & Wade, M. (2023). Digital education and the SDGs: Opportunities for global education. Journal of Education Policy.
[38] Rubin, H. J., & Rubin, I. S. (2012). Qualitative Interviewing: The Art of Hearing Data (3rd ed.). SAGE Publications.
[39] Saeed, R., & Fatima, H. (2023). The effectiveness of digital learning in promoting inclusive education in Pakistani universities. Journal of Higher Education Research.
[40] Salmi, J. (2020). Digital learning and the future of higher education. Higher Education Policy.
[41] Shah, S., & Ahmed, T. (2024). Institutional readiness for digital transformation in higher education: A review of Pakistani universities. Journal of Digital Learning in Higher Education.
[42] Siddiqui, A., & Jamal, R. (2022). Bridging the equity gap in digital education: Insights from Pakistan's higher education sector. Asia Pacific Education Review.
[43] Tomczyk, L., & Walker, S. (2022). Equitable access to digital learning resources: A global perspective. International Journal of Digital Literacy and Digital Competence.
[44] UNESCO. (2022). Future of education: Reimagining our futures together. UNESCO.
[45] UNESCO. (2019). Global education monitoring report 2019. UNESCO.
[46] United Nations. (2023). SDG 4: Quality Education - Progress and Prospects. United Nations SDG Knowledge Platform.
[47] United Nations. (2015). Transforming our world: The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. UN.
[48] World Bank. (2021). Digital learning in the time of COVID-19: Lessons from Pakistan. World Bank.
[49] Zia, A., & Iqbal, N. (2023). Digital divide and its impact on education in rural Pakistan. Journal of Digital Literacy and Learning.
[50] Zubair, M., & Farooq, R. (2024). Digital inequality in education: A study of rural Pakistan. Journal of Comparative Education.
Published
2024-12-11
How to Cite
SainZ. H., & NurtinaS. (2024). ASSESSING THE IMPACT OF DIGITAL LEARNING ON ACHIEVING SDG 4 IN HIGHER EDUCATION IN PAKISTAN . Proceedings of International Interdisciplinary Conference on Sustainable Development Goals (IICSDGs), 7(1), 60-73. Retrieved from https://journals.ubmg.ac.id/index.php/IICSDGs/article/view/1808
