Did the quality of digital communication skills in education improve after the pandemic? Evidence from HEIs

Abstract

In the global transition, digital technologies are perceived as important drivers of change. Contemporary IT technologies help to enhance the productivity and efficiency of numerous systems on the way to achieving sustainable development goals. Wider use of digital communication tools in HEIs (higher education institutions) can reduce inequalities and increase inclusiveness of tertiary education. In this paper, we present the results of exploratory research aimed at assessing whether COVID-19 has improved digital communication skills in higher education. We revised the quality of digital direct and indirect communication skills between students and teachers (both ways), by referring to the level of satisfaction of both sides of digital communication (teachers and students). The results indicate that there is a statistically significant improvement in the quality of digital communication skills, in particular, if we compare the position of both students and teachers after the pandemic, relative to the pre-COVID-19 pandemic period. Our investigation confirms that COVID-19 was a shock that enhanced the improvement of digital communication skills in higher education, and the pandemic experience had a positive impact on the more efficient use of digital education technologies.