A Study on Digitalization of Vocational Education from 2015 to 2024: Visual Analysis Based on CiteSpace

Abstract

We used China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) as our literature search source and employed the CiteSpace system to analyze research dynamics and evolution trends in the digitalization of vocational education in China from 2015 to 2024. Our findings are as follows: First, the number of publications is significantly driven by policy. After 2022, the volume of articles surged and aligned closely with the national digital education strategy. Second, the core author group appears decentralized. Institutional collaboration networks show low density, and clear research boundaries exist between universities and vocational colleges. Theoretical development and practical exploration have not yet achieved synergy. Third, the keyword co-occurrence network reveals three major research themes: the digital transformation of vocational education, technology-driven innovation, and deepened industry-education integration. High-frequency nodes like “digital technology” and “artificial intelligence” highlight technology empowerment. The evolution of emergent keywords indicates a shift in focus from “information infrastructure” to “strategic system reconstruction.” Fourth, research themes concentrate on four dimensions: fundamental theory, teaching innovation, integration of industry, education, and research, and international comparisons. Future research should strengthen interdisciplinary studies on technological ethics and educational equity, develop localized theoretical frameworks, and overcome empirical research challenges through mixed-method approaches. These efforts will provide both theoretical support and practical pathways for the digital transformation of vocational education.