Following the qualitative phase, the Erasmus+ project “INTELLIGENT: INnovative TEaching and LearnIng of GENeraTions Z and Alpha in Higher Education” (No. 2024-1-LT01-KA220-HED-000256404) expanded its research through a large-scale quantitative survey across Europe.
Conducted in 2025, the survey gathered data from over 3,000 Generation Z and Alpha students across the six participating countries: Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, the Netherlands, Italy, and Portugal. This phase aimed to validate and measure the Gen Z and Alpha trends identified during the earlier focus group discussions with a broader statistical foundation.
The results confirm a strong and consistent demand for more practical and application-oriented learning. Students expressed a clear preference for methods involving active participation, collaboration, and real-world problem-solving, marking a significant shift away from traditional, lecture-based formats.
The data also highlights the central role of digital tools. While AI-based solutions and interactive platforms are already a staple in students’ personal learning toolkits, the research shows that their formal integration into higher education curricula remains inconsistent across the region.
Importantly, the findings reinforce that student motivation is deeply tied to relevance. Learning experiences that bridge the gap between abstract theory and future career paths are significantly more effective for the new generations of learners.
These quantitative insights formed the foundation for the INTELLIGENT project’s innovative methodology: a flexible, student-centered approach that truly reflects the needs of today’s digital-native Generation Z and Alpha students.
Project partners: Vilniaus kolegija/ Higher Education Institution (Lithuania), AVANS University of Applied Sciences (Netherlands), RISEBA University of Applied Sciences (Latvia), Estonian Business Applied Sciences University (Estonia), IFOA (Italy), EDUGEP (Portugal).
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the National Agency. Neither the European Union nor National Agency can be held responsible for them.