Digital media in informal learning activities

This study aims to investigate digital media in the context of informal educational activities to determine their impact on learning effectiveness and the level of participant engagement. It was assumed that the integration of digital media into informal education positively influences the effectiveness of learning, the level of student engagement, and their motivation toward educational activities. An experimental approach was employed in this research to assess the influence of digital media on participant engagement in informal educational activities, utilizing survey methods. The study was conducted with the participation of representatives from the Ural Federal University named after the first President of the Russian Federation, B. N. Yeltsin, and Al-Farabi Kazakh National University. The study compared the effectiveness of informal educational activities with and without the use of media technologies in terms of participant engagement. In summary, the use of digital media in informal educational activities has a positive impact on the behavioural and emotional completeness of participants, while cognitive completeness did not show statistically significant differences between the groups. The results of this study have practical significance for educational institutions and educators involved in organizing informal educational activities. It provides insights into how the integration of digital media into the learning process can influence participant engagement. It’s important to remember that the research sample had a specific geographic coverage, so generalizing the obtained results should be exercised with prudence. This study has significant practical implications for educators and institutions involved in organizing non-formal educational activities. Educators can use the acquired information to create more diverse learning environments that promote student engagement. Additionally, they can develop and implement new teaching methods that maximize the use of digital technologies and create stimulating and captivating lessons, fostering a more active student involvement in learning. Teachers can optimize their pedagogical approach by adapting and integrating new means of interaction with students, contributing to their deeper understanding and active participation in the learning process. © The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature 2024.