Transforming Education Through Electronic and Communication Technologies: A Scoping Review

Within the digital age, the quick advancement of electronic innovation and communication devices has brought significant changes to the education division [1-3]. Conventional instructive models are gradually being changed, as electronic innovation and communication devices provide more diverse, helpful and personalized learning strategies, driving the renewal of instructive methods of insight and the upgrade of education quality [4]. This paper will investigate different viewpoints on the integration of electronic innovation, communication tools and education, analysing their impact and importance within the field of instruction.

Rise of online education platforms

For a long time, the broad adoption of the internet and progressions in electronic innovation has accelerated the advancement of the online education industry, with different online learning stages rising, as appeared in Figure 1(a). The widespread use of smartphones and tablets has made versatile learning a game-changer, altogether changing conventional learning strategies [5,6], as appeared in Figure 1(b). All-inclusive online learning platforms like Coursera offer courses from prestigious universities such as Harvard, MIT and Stanford. These platforms cover a wide range of disciplines, including computer science, business administration, medicine and psychology, which offer diverse learning resources within the frame of video courses, live streaming, and intuitive Q&A, giving students of all ages and learning needs improved convenience and personalized learning experiences [7,8]. Students can access these courses anytime, anyplace and even obtain official certifications, boosting their professional competitiveness. Besides, online education platforms have extended into professional preparation and lifelong learning, with platforms like Tencent Classroom, NetEase Cloud Classroom and Bilibili’s learning segment providing courses on programming, languages, finance and planning [9]. These platforms frequently join substance from industry specialists, practical projects, and the online community, facilitating users to obtain significant abilities and apply them successfully in their careers.

The application of virtual reality and augmented reality in education

Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) technologies are transforming education by providing new immersive and interactive learning experiences, as shown in Figure 1(c). These technologies move learning beyond traditional textbooks and screens, making it more intuitive, engaging and dynamic [10]. Their application enhances student engagement, helps to deepen understanding of complex concepts and improves learning outcomes. VR creates completely immersive learning situations that permit students to be involved in real-world scenarios [11]. AR, on the other hand, overlays virtual data within the genuine world, giving interactive learning experiences that bring unique concepts to life and progress learning productivity [12].

Artificial intelligence in education assistance

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is progressively being applied in education, changing conventional teaching strategies and driving the improvement of smarter, more personalized learning experiences [13], as shown in Figure 1(d). By leveraging advanced tools such as machine learning and natural language processing, AI can give students more precise and proficient learning experiences. Besides, AI can expand methods of teaching and make learning more flexible and convenient. For example, versatile learning platforms utilize machine learning to persistently screen students’ advances, consequently altering the learning way and difficulty level. Also, AI can distinguish students’ weak regions by analysing their test reactions and provide focused learning resources and exercises to strengthen those areas [14].

Figure 1:Schematic illustration of (a) online education platform, (b) mobile learning, (c) virtual reality and augmented reality and (d) artificial intelligence.

Breaking the limitations of time and space

Conventional education models are constrained by time and space, requiring students to go to classes at fixed times and areas, following a standardized educational program. Nevertheless, with progressions in electronic innovation and communication tools, these confinements have been overcome. The integration of online education platforms, mobile learning technologies, and intelligent teaching systems allows students to learn anytime and anywhere [15].

Enriching learning resources and formats

Online education platforms provide a rich of high-quality learning resources, which include online assessments, video courses, and live interactive classes [8]. For instance, internationally renowned platforms like Coursera, edX, and Udemy collaborate with the best worldwide colleges and institutions to offer courses in areas such as humanities, psychology, business management and computer science. Learners can finish course assignments at their own pace and even obtain certification. In China, platforms like Zuoyebang, Yuanfudao, and Xueersi Online utilize smart content delivery, real-time instructing and AI-driven personalized tutoring to assist K-12 students in developing their scholarly performance [16]. Furthermore, numerous professional training organizations, such as Tencent Classroom, NetEase Cloud Classroom, and MOOC, offer skills-enhancing courses to increase career improvement [17].

Promoting the sharing and balanced distribution of educational resources

Within the conventional education model, there has long been a lopsidedness within the distribution of educational resources. High-quality educational resources are essentially concentrated in large cities and financially developed districts, whereas students in inaccessible and impoverished regions confront challenges such as a need for qualified teachers, obsolete teaching tools and constrained course offerings, making it difficult to obtain the same quality of learning. This urban-rural and regional educational gap influences students’ academic advancement and compounds social imbalance. Nevertheless, with the fast improvement of electronic innovation and communication tools, the rise of modern models like online education and smart education platforms have enabled high-quality instructive resources to transcend geographic confinements, which are beneficial for students in more zones and advancing educational equity.

Improving education quality and efficiency

The comprehensive use of technologies such as intelligent tutoring, big data analysis, online education, virtual reality, and augmented reality can significantly improve the quality and efficiency of education [18]. From personalized learning to efficient time management and from intuitive and vivid learning experiences to precise feedback on knowledge mastery, electronic technologies offer students unprecedented learning methods and tools. At the same time, these technologies greatly reduce the workload of teachers, allowing them to focus more on personalized teaching and classroom interaction, providing more targeted assistance to students [19]. In the future, as technology continues to develop, education will become more intelligent and flexible, transforming into a more efficient, interactive, and immersive learning experience [20]. Table 1 [21-27] compares the categories between traditional classrooms and modern smart classrooms. This comparison indicates how modern smart classrooms have significantly transformed traditional teaching models and learning experiences through the widespread application of technology, enhancing both teaching efficiency and learning outcomes.

Table 1:Comparison between traditional classroom and modern smart classroom.

Digital divide issues

Despite the expanding internet penetration and the growing scope of electronic tools in recent years, the digital divide remains a critical issue in remote and impoverished zones [28]. Students in these areas may be incapable of obtaining adequate electronic resources because of financial constraints or the need for steady internet connections due to immature frameworks, which prevents them from benefiting from the advantages that electronic innovation and communication instruments offer in education. Particularly, schools in remote regions frequently lack computers and tablets and their web access is unreliable, making it difficult to participate in online education platforms. Even with the broad utilization of smartphones, not all families can afford steady internet services or smart devices, constraining students’ capability to completely use online learning resources.

Uneven quality of educational resources

With the rapid growth of the online education market, a wide range of educational platforms and learning resources have emerged, offering students more diverse learning options [29]. However, this booming market also comes with challenges, particularly the uneven quality of educational resources. While many platforms break geographical barriers, providing access to global knowledge and courses, some suffer from issues like poor course design and outdated teaching methods. Some platforms, in an effort to quickly meet market demand, launch a large volume of courses, but often lack systematic teaching frameworks and clear learning paths. This makes it difficult for students to master core concepts and results in unclear learning objectives. Some tutoring courses only provide basic explanations without effectively connecting key knowledge points, undermining the learning process. On the other hand, while some platforms offer rich content, they still rely on traditional lecture-based teaching methods, failing to fully leverage interactive, intelligent and engaging techniques, which limits student participation and impacts learning outcomes. Additionally, some low-cost platforms attract large numbers of students through exaggerated marketing, but the actual course quality often falls short of expectations.

Transformation of teachers’ roles and enhancement of their skills

The widespread application of electronic innovation and communication tools in education has driven significant changes in educational strategies, requiring instructors to assume new roles and responsibilities [30]. Instructors are not just knowledge transmitters but have to be facilitators, organizers and promoters of learning, teaching students to participate in self-directed learning and interaction through online platforms and smart tutoring systems. To realize this change, instructors must master the utilization of information technology in student evaluation, classroom management and course plans. Nevertheless, numerous instructors still confront challenges in applying information technology, particularly with rising online platforms and smart tutoring systems. Some instructors may be unfamiliar with electronic devices, limiting the viable utilization of innovation in teaching. Hence, developing teachers’ capability to apply information technology has become a critical task in education. Governments, educational institutions, and schools ought to strengthen teacher training, giving more practical opportunities to guarantee that instructors can adjust to the advancing requests of modern education and completely use innovation to advance students’ comprehensive improvement.

Cultivating students’ self-directed learning ability

Electronic technologies and communication tools have provided students with more autonomous and personalized learning methods, enabling them to choose learning content based on their interests and needs [31]. However, this approach places higher demands on students’ self-directed learning abilities. They need strong self-management, information filtering and learning planning skills to effectively navigate the vast number of resources and efficiently engage in learning. In reality, some students confront challenges in self-directed learning, such as easy distraction and lack of motivation. Without outside supervision, maintaining focus over long periods is challenging, resulting in decreased learning effectiveness. Besides, with abundant resources and platforms available, some students struggle to filter relevant information, leading to confusion or information overload, which hampers learning efficiency.

The integration of electronic innovation and communication tools is driving a transformative move in education, forming its future in significant ways. AI is set to be a significant force, giving personalized learning experiences and improving educational management [32]. AI’s capability to analyse students’ learning performance enables real-time adjustments to course content, providing customized educational methods. The combination of education with machine learning to compute and model multimodal learning data improves learning by creating immersive, engaging environments where students can conduct scientific experiments and investigate historical events, making learning more interactive and memorable.

Meanwhile, technologies like big data and 5G are driving education toward higher efficiency and personalization [33]. 5G’s high-speed, low-latency capabilities are revolutionizing learning, enabling real-time interactions in virtual labs and skill-based training. Additionally, big data analytics enables educators to track and evaluate individual student progress, facilitating customized learning experiences and informed decision-making in curriculum design and educational management [34]. As education becomes increasingly data-driven, these technologies will help develop intelligent learning ecosystems that address the diverse needs of students while optimizing teaching strategies and resource allocation.

Moreover, long-term education will place increasing emphasis on engaging learning, supported by electronic tools and communication platforms. Project-based learning will encourage students to apply knowledge from various fields, such as science, technology, and the humanities, to solve real-world problems [35]. This approach facilitates creative thinking, collaboration, and problem-solving skills, preparing students for the complexities of the future job market. Personalized learning, supported by big data and AI, will increase educational experiences, enabling systems to adapt to individual learning styles. Furthermore, the global sharing of educational resources through online platforms will promote international collaboration, broadening students’ perspectives and facilitating cross-border academic exchanges. This interconnected approach will result in more inclusive, dynamic and high-quality educational practices worldwide.

The integration of electronic technologies and communication tools has created phenomenal opportunities and changes in education. Through the application of online education platforms, versatile learning, VR, AI, and other progressed technologies, education has become more broadened, personalized and smart. This facilitated the sharing and equitable distribution of educational resources while increasing the quality and efficiency of education. However, this progress comes with several challenges, including the digital divide, variations in the quality of educational resources, the evolving role of teachers, and the development of students’ independent learning abilities. Looking ahead, with the continued advancement of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, 5G and big data, education will increasingly shift toward smarter, more personalized, and globalized models.