Mediated and didactic use of ICT for the fostering of critical thinking skills: a bibliometric study

The proliferation of smartphones among adolescents has been particularly pronounced during the course of the pandemic, resulting in a surge in mobile learning. In Colombia, despite the common perception of smartphones as a source of distraction, educators are currently exploring methods to incorporate them into their instructional practices. This bibliometric study methodically examines two primary categories: educational mediation of ICT and didactic integration of ICT. The study's objective is to systematically review the extant scientific literature concerning the integration of technology into education, with a particular focus on adolescent smartphone use and the methods by which technology is currently being integrated into teaching practices. A systematic search was conducted in reputable databases, such as Scopus, Web of Science, and Dimensions, with articles published from 2017 to October 2023. Literature reviews, book chapters, and conference proceedings were excluded from the analysis. The analysis was carried out using various tools, including Atlas.ti, Rons Data Edit, Bibliometrix, VOSviewer, and OriginPro. The findings indicate that adolescents are generally receptive to the mediated use of smartphones in the classroom for developing various skills. Furthermore, educators have adopted didactic strategies to effectively integrate ICT into their teaching methods, fostering more interactive and engaging learning environments.