Review Article
Regina G. Sakhieva, Elena E. Grishnova, Marina A. Zhukova, Ekaterina G. Sokolova, Natalia I. Lapidus, Oleg V. Khlusyanov
CONT ED TECHNOLOGY, Volume 17, Issue 4, Article No: ep604
ABSTRACT
The use of information and communication technologies (ICT) in higher education significantly improves the quality of teaching for learners. However, no bibliometric studies have analyzed the use and acceptance of ICT in higher education in the relevant literature. The aim of this paper is therefore to analyze trends and patterns related to ICT in higher education from 2005 to 2024. The data was collected from the Scopus database. The authors analyzed 4,348 articles. The results indicate that the number of publications has increased continuously from 2008 to 2024. The results also show that the journal Computers and Education published the most cited articles and that the most cited authors are from developed countries. The findings concerning most of the co-cited documents showed a wide range of methodological and theoretical approaches to ICT in higher education. Finally, the analysis of research topics over the last 20 years revealed three clusters and shows that ICT plays a crucial role in areas such as change and innovation in education, development of clinical competencies in medical education, and the rapid adoption of distance learning in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. These findings can guide research on technology adoption by higher education students.
Keywords: information and communication technologies, ICT, higher education, bibliometric analysis, research trends
Review Article
Aigul I. Akhmetova, Salima S. Seitenova, Begzod K. Khodjaev, Odinakhon R. Jamoldinova, Saule Z. Yerkebaeva, Kenzhegul U. Kazybayeva
CONT ED TECHNOLOGY, Volume 17, Issue 3, Article No: ep585
ABSTRACT
This study presents the first comprehensive dual-database bibliometric analysis of game-based learning research, investigating its evolution between 2015 and 2024 through analysis of 34,125 documents from Scopus (18,487) and Web of Science (WoS) (15,638) using advanced visualization techniques. The findings reveal consistent field expansion with notable database variations: Scopus demonstrates steady growth while WoS experienced a significant 2020 decline. Citation analysis shows a higher impact on 2015-2018 studies, with Hwang, G. J. as the most influential author and “Computers and Education” as the top journal. Co-keyword analysis reveals distinct conceptual structures—Scopus exhibits two clusters (human-centered studies and game-based learning/serious games) versus three in WoS (education-motivation, health-rehabilitation, technology-design). Thematic analysis demonstrates that game-based learning, serious games, and virtual reality occupy different maturity positions across databases, indicating varied theoretical consolidation. Collaboration networks show US, China, and European dominance, with weaker ties involving developing countries. These findings provide critical insights for educational policymakers and curriculum designers, identifying research clusters to guide targeted funding, collaboration gaps requiring international partnerships, and evidence-based guidance on established versus emerging game-based learning approaches. The dual-database methodology offers comprehensive research landscape mapping that supports strategic decisions in educational technology implementation and research prioritization.
Keywords: game-based learning, bibliometric analysis, scientific mapping, data visualization, research trends
Review Article
Julia A. Krokhina, Irina I. Kruse, Elmira R. Khairullina, Gasangusein Ibragimov, Lyubov V. Kochneva, Olga V. Pashanova
CONT ED TECHNOLOGY, Volume 16, Issue 4, Article No: ep542
ABSTRACT
Mobile learning presents many benefits to lecturers, students, and universities. It provides the opportunity for all to access information anytime and anywhere and also promotes learning autonomy and mobility. This paper aims to systematically analyze publications on mobile learning in higher education conducted over twenty years by providing knowledge to help researchers in this area. The data were obtained from the Scopus database. A total of 587 peer-reviewed publications were analyzed. The results show that the number of articles increased significantly after 2016, and there was an upward trend after 2018. Our results regarding prolific journals show that many articles in this field were published in several prominent journals. Our results revealed that 91 countries contributed to research worldwide, and the most productive institutions are from different continents. In addition, results indicated that recently published countries on the topic are India, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, Indonesia, and Germany. Regarding research trends, our results yielded three research clusters. The first cluster focused on building a learning environment for students, while the second cluster included research on mobile learning in medical education. In addition, the third cluster investigated young adults’ use and perceptions of mobile phones in learning through surveys and questionnaires. Moreover, the results we obtained demonstrated that recent studies also focused on academic performance and augmented reality was a trending topic before academic performance.
Keywords: mobile learning adoption, mobile learning, higher education, m-learning, research trends
Research Article
Ulas Ilic, Halil Ibrahim Haseski, Ufuk Tugtekin
CONT ED TECHNOLOGY, Volume 9, Issue 2, pp. 131-153
ABSTRACT
The current study aimed to review studies on computational thinking (CT) indexed in Web of Science (WOS) and ERIC databases. A thorough search in electronic databases revealed 96 studies on computational thinking which were published between 2006 and 2016. Studies were exposed to a quantitative content analysis through using an article control form developed by the researchers. Studies were summarized under several themes including the research purpose, design, methodology, sampling characteristics, data analysis, and main findings. The findings were reported using descriptive statistics to see the trends. It was observed that there was an increase in the number of CT studies in recent years, and these were mainly conducted in the field of computer sciences. In addition, CT studies were mostly published in journals in the field of Education and Instructional Technologies. Theoretical paradigm and literature review design were preferred more in previous studies. The most commonly used sampling method was the purposive sampling. It was also revealed that samples of previous CT studies were generally pre-college students. Written data collection tools and quantitative analysis were mostly used in reviewed papers. Findings mainly focused on CT skills. Based on current findings, recommendations and implications for further researches were provided.
Keywords: Computational thinking, Research trends, Content analysis, Problem solving