Abstract:

Nowadays in the modern digital societies a radical teaching-learning methodological change is still underway in the higher educational practice. Universities and higher educational institutions are shifting their teaching practices toward digital- and e-Learning practices combining with face-to-face education. At the same time the very extensive use of smart and mobile devices forces the universities to turn to massive online educational platforms while integrating the use of such devices in the educational practice.

This paper focuses on the motivation and usage of eLearning systems among early Z generation students, in higher education highlighting the digital learning aspects and smart tool usages. The research is based on a survey filled out by over 550 Hungarian university students. The analysis focuses on the classification of students by their attitude toward Digital Learning, the usage of smart mobile devices including their IT security behaviour. Furthermore students’ digital footprint awareness has also been surveyed.

The paper concludes, that in the course of the elaboration of a university eLearning strategy, it must be noted that these students turn more and more towards digital learning, mainly using smart tools but, at the same time, require an occasional, personal, face-to-face contact. Based on the research it will be stated, that more attention must be paid to IT security awareness training and courses for the students of the Z generation within Hungarian higher education.

Keywords:

Digital learning, e-learning, IT security awareness, smart tools, digital footprint awareness.