TAM Report / Jordan - Digitlization

GENERAL INFORMATION

TAM title: Digitalization: New and Emerging Technologies in Higher Education

Type of Event: Workshop

Modality: Online

Country: Jordan

Dates: 22–23 April 2025

Participants: A total of 80 participants attended the online workshop, representing a broad audience that included academics from various disciplines, university administrators, IT departments, researchers, leadership and governance bodies, and policy-makers from different types of higher education institutions and organizations.

THEMES COVERED

• Digital transformation in higher education systems
• New and emerging technologies in teaching, learning, and administration
• Institutional, organizational, and cultural barriers to digital adoption
• Governance, funding, ethical issues, and data privacy in digitalization
• Digital well-being, including screen fatigue and digital overload
• Case studies of digital transformation from European higher education institutions

KEY OUTCOMES

During the workshop, participants:

• Developed a broader understanding of digital transformation in higher education, including emerging technologies and their applications in teaching, learning, and administration.
• Examined European case studies illustrating hybrid learning, problem-based assessment, and digitalized administrative processes.
• Reflected on institutional, organizational, and cultural barriers to digital adoption and discussed context-specific solutions for Jordanian higher education institutions.
• Gained increased awareness of digital well-being issues and strategies to manage digital overload for students and staff.

OVERVIEW

The two-day online workshop focused on the role of digitalization and emerging technologies in higher education, with particular attention to teaching, learning, administration, and institutional strategy. The activities included expert presentations, interactive discussions, case studies from European universities, and scenario-based exercises. Participants explored the use of hybrid learning formats, problem-based assessment, digital administrative systems, and the broader implications of digital transformation for governance and policy in higher education institutions.

The second day placed a strong emphasis on digital well-being and the human dimension of digital transformation. Discussions addressed issues such as screen fatigue, digital overload, ethical concerns, and the digital divide. Interactive exercises enabled participants to reflect on challenges within their own institutions, share practices, and consider how workshop insights could be applied in the Jordanian higher education context. The TAM concluded with reflections, Q&A sessions, and discussions on practical implementation.

THE FOLLOW UP ACTIVITY

Title of the activity: Follow-up workshop on advancing digitalization in higher education

Dates: 2025

Audience: Representatives of the Ministry of Higher Education, higher education institutions, digital transformation stakeholders, and actors involved in education technology and innovation.

Description: The follow-up activity consisted of a workshop aimed at consolidating the results of the Technical Assistance Mission on digitalisation in higher education. The activity brought together key stakeholders to review the main findings and recommendations of the TAM, assess progress achieved since the mission, and exchange experiences related to the integration of digital technologies in teaching, learning and institutional management. The discussions focused on strengthening digital strategies, enhancing institutional capacities for digital transformation, and promoting the adoption of innovative teaching and learning practices. The workshop also addressed the need for improved coordination among stakeholders and the development of supportive policy frameworks to advance digitalisation efforts. The activity contributed to fostering dialogue between policymakers, universities and relevant stakeholders, supporting the translation of TAM recommendations into concrete actions aimed at modernising higher education systems through digital innovation.

ENHANCING IMPACT: PROPOSED NEXT STEPS

• Establish a coherent national digital transformation framework for higher education that supports institutional autonomy and targeted capacity-building.
• Integrate digital well-being as a core component of quality assurance, academic planning, and institutional governance.
• Shift the focus of digitalization from technology procurement toward pedagogical and institutional development.
• Strengthen capacity-building for faculty, administrative staff, and leadership in emerging technologies and digital pedagogy.
• Embed workshop insights into institutional development plans, accreditation processes, and strategic reporting frameworks.
• Promote structured peer learning, mentoring, and knowledge exchange among higher education institutions at the national level.
• Encourage systematic follow-up through internal debriefings and coordinated national mechanisms to ensure uptake and sustainability of digital transformation efforts.

RESOURCES AND BACKGROUND MATERIAL

• OECD (2025) Education at a Glance 2025: OECD indicators. Paris: OECD Publishing.
  Available at: https://www.oecd.org/en/publications/education-at-a-glance-2025_1c0d9c79-en.html
• European Commission (n.d.) Digital Education Plan. Available at: https://education.ec.europa.eu/focus-topics/digital-education/plan
• EDUCAUSE (2024) 2024 EDUCAUSE Horizon Report: Teaching and Learning Edition. Louisville, CO: EDUCAUSE.
  Available at: https://library.educause.edu/resources/2024/5/2024-educause-horizon-report-teaching-and-learning-edition