Learning Experience Design for African Students: The Specifics of Using Digital Tools

Teachers at the Yaroslavl State Pedagogical University named after K.D. Ushinsky implement Russian language programmes at universities in Côte d'Ivoire and Ghana, as well as within the framework of academic mobility of students from these universities who have come to study in Russia. The need to modernise this programme for wider use led to the idea of using digital tools to expand the reach of Russian language and Russian culture studies to African students. This article presents the results of a study conducted to analyse the interests and needs of African students in using African students' interests and needs in using digital media to shape their learning experience. In turn, the analysis of their learning experiences in e-learning environments provided the basis for suggestions about digital formats for working with African audiences. The findings of the study are divided into three categories, each highlighting a different aspect of the learning experience: attitudes towards digital learning and preferred formats for broadcasting learning content; features of communication in the digital environment; and general level of engagement with digital tools. The findings of the study provide specific recommendations that can be drawn upon in learning experience design for African students.