Higher Education Laboratory

The effectiveness of higher education is a moral and economic problem: it costs the government, the unnecessary expense for the family, and the experience of failure for university students. Our longitudinal research explores the underlying variables of this issue, searching for the causes related to the young generation, teachers, and the university system that surrounds them. As we explore the profile of the digital generation, it becomes possible to initiate targeted development on the level of public education as well, thus preventing the overspending on the education. At the same time, more university students can get their degrees and enrichen in experiences. Another critical factor is that the educational systems and methods haven't accommodated the changes in the younger generation yet. In our research, the objective is to assess the needs of the digital age (Y, Z, alpha) and make recommendations to increase the education efficiency, primarily by implementing online or gamified elements and teaching and assessment methodology specified more on the needs of the students. Investigating the unique needs of the digital generation is a hot topic these days. In the international literature, studies can be rarely found regarding this subject. Moreover, an examination is needed that includes the nature of the conditions in Hungary. An integrative view of learning, personal, and motivational traits of the young generations (Y, Z, and alpha) can establish the education policy for the upcoming decades. Our research opens new perspectives in higher education: the approach of positive psychology, handling the situation, and prevention in the long term.