Cloud technologies as an innovative basis for the development of the digital educational environment of a higher education institution

Abstract

The article considers the role of cloud technologies as an innovative basis for developing the digital educational environment of higher education institutions (HEIs). Modern education is undergoing significant transformations caused by digitalizing all educational activities and the need to ensure flexibility, accessibility, and efficiency. The introduction of cloud technologies makes it possible to optimize the educational process and create conditions for high-quality management of higher education institution resources, ensuring continuous interaction between participants in the educational process and the development of digital competencies. The article analyses the main advantages of using cloud technologies in digital education. These include 24/7 availability of educational materials, the possibility of distance and blended learning, ensuring real-time collaboration of all participants, and optimization of administrative activities. Special attention is paid to the issues of information security and data privacy in implementing cloud solutions, which is one of the key challenges for educational institutions. A structural model for the introduction of cloud technologies into the digital environment of a university has been developed, which includes an analytical stage (infrastructure readiness audit), an organizational and planning stage (platform selection, staff training, development of a regulatory framework), an integration stage (integration of services into educational and administrative processes), and a stage of performance monitoring and optimization of use. The factors influencing the decrease in the level of integration of cloud technologies in higher education institutions are highlighted, cloud technologies and their key advantages are described, and the stages of implementation of cloud services in the digital educational environment of higher education institutions are identified. The use of cloud technologies improves the quality of educational services, increases communication efficiency between all participants in the educational process, and allows us to develop digital skills necessary for the modern labor market. The practical experience of implementing cloud solutions in higher education institutions confirms their effectiveness in creating a flexible, accessible, high-tech learning environment.