How technology has shaped university students’ perceptions and expectations around higher education: an exploratory study of the United Arab Emirates

Higher education institutions have a critical role to play in preparing students to meet the demands of an increasingly technological world. Drawing on a survey of 762 undergraduate students in two universities in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), this paper examines the actual experiences of digital technology of students during their academic studies while seeking to develop a better understanding of the realities that the students encounter when using technology inside and outside their classrooms. The study also investigates what students really need to enhance their learning. The collected data confirm the international research findings that the digital age is not ‘transforming’ the nature of university. Additionally, traditional teaching methods and conventional ‘in-the-box’ student thinking and practices with technology still prevail. Bearing in mind the particularities of students in the UAE context, blending technology with the formal in-person approach can produce significant benefits in relation to effectively improving student learning and success.