HOW DOES DIGITIZATION IMPACT ON THE FORMATION OF BANGLADESHI LEARNERS’ INTERPERSONAL SKILLS?

Abstract

The study envisages as certaining whether the initiatives embraced by Higher
Education Institutions (HEIs) have impact on the formation of the interpersonal
skills among the learners in Bangladesh or not. Considering cross sectional
approach as research method and incorporating self-administered questionnaire
as research instruments, a total of one hundred respondents (i.e. students and
educators), chosen by the judgement of the researchers, from sixteen HEIs of
Bangladesh were surveyed. The survey data were analyzed through a structured
equation modeling simulation, namely SMART PLS 2.0. At first, all scales,
which were adopted from prior studies and reworded to fit into the context,
were validated using the standard indicators followed by the process of testing
hypotheses. Empirical evidence revealed that behavioral factors: interactivity,
collaboration, self-efficacy impacted positively on the development of learners’
interpersonal skills, such as teamwork, critical thinking, problem solving, and
persuasion. However, the study also found some factors: cost, lack of training
facility, poor infrastructure, high level of plagiarism, and lack of motivation,
which were manifested as obstacles to digital transformation in HEIs in
Bangladesh. Result of the study may provide educators and policy makers with
a solid base for setting up e-learning within the institution and explore the main
areas of improvement that should be taken into consideration. The study has
also contributed to the existing literature unfolding behavior related to the
development of professional skills.