Digital transformation in higher education: logical framework, practical dilemmas, and implementation approaches

The digital age comes with new demands and challenges for talent cultivation within the higher education system. The digital transformation in higher education has emerged as a critical element in addressing these challenges. This paper aims to develop an integrated qualitative model that advocates how digital transformation as a propelling force could be applied by university faculty and students during teaching and learning progress within the higher education institutions. An analysis of literature was performed to have a grasp of conceptual basis of digital transformation in higher education. Qualitative, in-depth case studies from Harvard University, Tsinghua University, and the University of Melbourne were engaged in to explore the transformation framework for university faculty and students. The study: 1) Proposes a triple logical framework comprising value logic, technological logic, and practical logic; 2) Examines four practical dilemmas encountered in advancing digital transformation within higher education teaching and learning environments based on logical framework, including both psychological and objective challenge for university teachers and students; 3) Outlines six implementation approaches to digital transformation in higher education, addressing aspects such as teaching concepts, teaching models, teaching resources, teaching scenarios, and evaluation systems. Finally, an illustrative digital SECI-based multimodal teaching model is suggested.