Learning Modalities Shaped by Digital Transformation in Distance Education: A Bibliometric Analysis of Trends and Reflections (2017–2023)

This bibliometric study aims to understand the impact of digital transformation on education, with a particular focus on distance education and its technology-supported forms such as e-learning, mobile learning, and open learning. Based on the analysis of 687 publications indexed in the Scopus data...

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Main Authors: Gizem Dilan Boztaş, Muhammet Berigel, Fahriye Altınay, Zehra Altınay
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: International Council for Open and Distance Education (ICDE) 2025-07-01
Series:Open Praxis
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Online Access:https://account.openpraxis.org/index.php/up-j-op/wp-admin/ALFA_DATA/alfacgiapi/index.php/up-j-op/article/view/https:/account.openpraxis.org/index.php/up-j-op/wp-admin/ALFA_DATA/alfacgiapi/index.php/up-j-op/announcement/view/https:/account.openpraxis.org/index.php/up-j-op/wp-admin/ALFA_DATA/alfacgiapi/index.php/up-j-op/article/view/https:/account.openpraxis.org/index.php/up-j-op/wp-admin/ALFA_DATA/alfacgiapi/index.php/up-j-op/article/view/837
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author Gizem Dilan Boztaş
Muhammet Berigel
Fahriye Altınay
Zehra Altınay
author_facet Gizem Dilan Boztaş
Muhammet Berigel
Fahriye Altınay
Zehra Altınay
author_sort Gizem Dilan Boztaş
collection DOAJ
description This bibliometric study aims to understand the impact of digital transformation on education, with a particular focus on distance education and its technology-supported forms such as e-learning, mobile learning, and open learning. Based on the analysis of 687 publications indexed in the Scopus database between 2017 and 2023, the study investigates the evolving role of digital transformation in distance education across three distinct timeframes: pre-COVID-19 (2017–2019), during COVID-19 (2020–2021), and post-COVID-19 (2022–2023). Employing bibliometric analysis techniques, the study identifies key themes such as inclusion, accessibility, digital tools, and adaptive learning systems. It also uncovers emerging trends like the integration of artificial intelligence, gamification, and virtual reality in education. The findings reveal a significant increase in research output during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, reflecting the intensified adoption of digital technologies in response to global disruptions. Key themes, such as “Smart Technologies in Education” and “Smart Campus and Digital University,” emerged prominently in the post-pandemic era, alongside new discussions on STEM education, digital competence, and personalized learning. The analysis highlights the transformative role of digital tools in bridging accessibility gaps and enhancing student engagement. By providing insights into current trends and persistent gaps, this study contributes to a deeper understanding of how digital transformation has reshaped education. These findings emphasize the importance of integrating emerging digital technologies and innovative strategies to address persistent challenges, enhance educational outcomes, and support the development of sustainable, technology-driven learning environments.
format Article
id doaj-art-9948388bdcb84fcd8872ebc462c466f5
institution Kabale University
issn 1369-9997
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language English
publishDate 2025-07-01
publisher International Council for Open and Distance Education (ICDE)
record_format Article
series Open Praxis
spelling doaj-art-9948388bdcb84fcd8872ebc462c466f52025-08-20T03:29:02ZengInternational Council for Open and Distance Education (ICDE)Open Praxis1369-99972304-070X2025-07-0117210.55982/openpraxis.17.2.837Learning Modalities Shaped by Digital Transformation in Distance Education: A Bibliometric Analysis of Trends and Reflections (2017–2023)Gizem Dilan Boztaş0https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4593-032XMuhammet Berigel1https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5682-8956Fahriye Altınay2https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3861-6447Zehra Altınay3https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6786-6787Karadeniz Technical UniversityKaradeniz Technical UniversityNear East UniversityNear East University This bibliometric study aims to understand the impact of digital transformation on education, with a particular focus on distance education and its technology-supported forms such as e-learning, mobile learning, and open learning. Based on the analysis of 687 publications indexed in the Scopus database between 2017 and 2023, the study investigates the evolving role of digital transformation in distance education across three distinct timeframes: pre-COVID-19 (2017–2019), during COVID-19 (2020–2021), and post-COVID-19 (2022–2023). Employing bibliometric analysis techniques, the study identifies key themes such as inclusion, accessibility, digital tools, and adaptive learning systems. It also uncovers emerging trends like the integration of artificial intelligence, gamification, and virtual reality in education. The findings reveal a significant increase in research output during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, reflecting the intensified adoption of digital technologies in response to global disruptions. Key themes, such as “Smart Technologies in Education” and “Smart Campus and Digital University,” emerged prominently in the post-pandemic era, alongside new discussions on STEM education, digital competence, and personalized learning. The analysis highlights the transformative role of digital tools in bridging accessibility gaps and enhancing student engagement. By providing insights into current trends and persistent gaps, this study contributes to a deeper understanding of how digital transformation has reshaped education. These findings emphasize the importance of integrating emerging digital technologies and innovative strategies to address persistent challenges, enhance educational outcomes, and support the development of sustainable, technology-driven learning environments. https://account.openpraxis.org/index.php/up-j-op/wp-admin/ALFA_DATA/alfacgiapi/index.php/up-j-op/article/view/https:/account.openpraxis.org/index.php/up-j-op/wp-admin/ALFA_DATA/alfacgiapi/index.php/up-j-op/announcement/view/https:/account.openpraxis.org/index.php/up-j-op/wp-admin/ALFA_DATA/alfacgiapi/index.php/up-j-op/article/view/https:/account.openpraxis.org/index.php/up-j-op/wp-admin/ALFA_DATA/alfacgiapi/index.php/up-j-op/article/view/837digital transformatione-learningdistance educationbibliometric analysiscovid-19 impactpandemic
spellingShingle Gizem Dilan Boztaş
Muhammet Berigel
Fahriye Altınay
Zehra Altınay
Learning Modalities Shaped by Digital Transformation in Distance Education: A Bibliometric Analysis of Trends and Reflections (2017–2023)
Open Praxis
digital transformation
e-learning
distance education
bibliometric analysis
covid-19 impact
pandemic
title Learning Modalities Shaped by Digital Transformation in Distance Education: A Bibliometric Analysis of Trends and Reflections (2017–2023)
title_full Learning Modalities Shaped by Digital Transformation in Distance Education: A Bibliometric Analysis of Trends and Reflections (2017–2023)
title_fullStr Learning Modalities Shaped by Digital Transformation in Distance Education: A Bibliometric Analysis of Trends and Reflections (2017–2023)
title_full_unstemmed Learning Modalities Shaped by Digital Transformation in Distance Education: A Bibliometric Analysis of Trends and Reflections (2017–2023)
title_short Learning Modalities Shaped by Digital Transformation in Distance Education: A Bibliometric Analysis of Trends and Reflections (2017–2023)
title_sort learning modalities shaped by digital transformation in distance education a bibliometric analysis of trends and reflections 2017 ndash 2023
topic digital transformation
e-learning
distance education
bibliometric analysis
covid-19 impact
pandemic
url https://account.openpraxis.org/index.php/up-j-op/wp-admin/ALFA_DATA/alfacgiapi/index.php/up-j-op/article/view/https:/account.openpraxis.org/index.php/up-j-op/wp-admin/ALFA_DATA/alfacgiapi/index.php/up-j-op/announcement/view/https:/account.openpraxis.org/index.php/up-j-op/wp-admin/ALFA_DATA/alfacgiapi/index.php/up-j-op/article/view/https:/account.openpraxis.org/index.php/up-j-op/wp-admin/ALFA_DATA/alfacgiapi/index.php/up-j-op/article/view/837
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AT fahriyealtınay learningmodalitiesshapedbydigitaltransformationindistanceeducationabibliometricanalysisoftrendsandreflections2017ndash2023
AT zehraaltınay learningmodalitiesshapedbydigitaltransformationindistanceeducationabibliometricanalysisoftrendsandreflections2017ndash2023