Bridging the Digital Integration Gap : Understanding the Role of Digital Platforms in the learning process of International Degree Program Business Students in Finland Oulu

Abstract

This thesis examines the functionality of digital platforms in the academic lives of international and indigenous students in the International Business (IB) programme at Oulu University of Applied Sciences (OAMK), Finland. While more learning activities in enhancing higher learning are placing more and more responsibilities for learning in the digital environment, platforms like Moodle, Peppi, Tuudo, Zoom are now at the center of teaching and learning activities. Nevertheless, the differences in the competency of digital skills, the accessibility of platform use and language proficiency continue to hinder student performance and engagement, especially for the international students. With the use of a mixed methods research approach, the study collected data based on surveys and faculty interviews to determine platform usability, student satisfaction, and mechanisms for institutional support. The results show that even though, overall, students exhibit high degrees of digital confidence, many (and particularly students with international backgrounds) suffer difficulties with the navigation of platforms, synchronization of course structures, and lack of multilingual support. Faculties interviews confirmed these challenges, and underscored pedagogical and structural enhancement. The study ends by providing practical recommendations such as standardization in the platform use, better onboarding procedures and better support systems to make digital learning inclusive and fair at OAMK.