APPLICATION OF INTERACTIVE DIGITAL TOOLS IN ECONOMICS STUDENTS’ EDUCATION

Abstract

Abstract. In today's digitally-driven society, there is a demand for economists who can make informed decisions, possess analytical skills, strategic planning capabilities, and proficiency in using digital tools for interaction. A review of the existing literature has shown a deficiency in a systematic approach to exploring the concept of “interactive digital tools”, underdevelopment of a comprehensive set of interactive digital tools for economics students. Having studied practical experience, a request from educators for materials using interactive digital tools was revealed. Thus, there is a need to clarify the concept and develop a comprehensive set of interactive digital tools to use them in the training of students of economic special-ties. The study aims to reveal the essence of interactive digital tools and to integrate a comprehensive set of interactive digital tools into the training of Economics students at the South Ural State University. The methods employed included the literature analysis, questionnaires, interview, and the reliability testing using Cronbach's alpha. The authors clarified the concept of interactive digital tools, revealed students’ knowledge of the types of interactive digital tools in education, analyzed the effectiveness of using these tools in teaching students, analyzed the use of interactive digital tools by educators, and introduced a comprehensive set of interactive digital tools into teaching Economics students. The empirical study showed that most students were not previously familiar with some interactive digital tools and the possi-bilities of their application. Lecturers do not always use and do not know about many tools. The main problems the lecturers face are lack of awareness about the new tools and lack of time to master them. The results obtained will help educators in teaching students using interactive digital tools.