Digital Eco-Teaching and Eco-Learning in University Education

Abstract

The rapid development of online technologies and the ongoing changes in the educational system are highly topical issues at the moment. Most educational institutions have come up with new approaches and educational technologies, with a “connectivism approach”, mixed learning and BYOD technology being among them. The authors, who teach foreign languages, set a goal to study how the use of various messengers and applications affects the quality of classes. The authors used a new term - “eco-system”, which means a set of online services united around one topic. In this regard, they spoke about “eco-teaching” and “eco-learning” in higher education. They hypothesized that the use of resources of different online platforms promotes effective learning of a foreign language. To prove their hypothesis, the authors conducted an experiment in Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University in the spring term of 2022. The students of the experimental division enjoyed eco-learning using different apps and messengers in their devices. The authors used theoretical (analysis and generalization of methodical literature), empirical (observation, experiment and interviewing) and mathematical (visualization and statistical calculation) research methods. The possibility of “eco-teaching” and “eco-learning” was considered as the IV (independent variable) of the experiment; the students’ academic results were considered as the DV (dependent variable). The obtained data allowed the authors to conclude that the use of the eco-system affected the academic performance of students and increased their satisfaction with the process of learning. Eco-teaching and eco-learning proved to be very promising in higher educational institutions.