Cultural Reflections on the use of Technology in Education in the Case of Serbia: Does National Culture Limit the Expansion of Digital Education?

Abstract

Intensive changes in the implementation of information and communication technology in education bring numerous opportunities for learning. Although current discussions on the potential of digital education within academic and expert circles tend to support the thesis that it will take precedence over traditional forms of education, its development and expansion are influenced by various factors—one of the most significant being national culture. The primary aim of this paper is to explore the issue of further development and use of digital technology in education from a cultural perspective. The main premise of this work is that the development of digital education should not be viewed solely through the lens of technological advancement and its application, but also in the context of culturally conditioned structures of need. Technology changes the way we learn, access knowledge, share and apply it; however, on the other hand, culture influences how and to what extent these new technologies are accepted and used. Therefore, the central goal of this paper is to reflect on the interdependence between national culture and the application of digital technologies in education in Serbia.