The Coursera Case as the Prefiguration of the Ongoing Changes on the MOOC Platforms

This chapter aims to suggest a new conceptual framework by presenting a view of the main disruptive strategic trajectory implemented by a particular model of training platforms. It aims to participate in the understanding of the dynamics of training platforms strategy through the analysis of the Cousera case. The iterations of this platform with a market under construction can be read as a strategy to bring out new proposals and value networks. Finally, the authors discuss the “drivers” of future changes in the MOOC market.

Advanced Human-Computer Interaction in E-Learning Systems for Handicapped People

The chapter concerns the implementation of novel and advanced HCI (human-computer interaction) methods in the design of educational systems aimed at people with disabilities. E-learning applications can significantly improve the quality of life for handicapped students by increasing their self-reliance and adjusting the learning time frame. The structure and methods used to design the interaction applied in this kind of educational system varies significantly depending on the type of the user's disability. There are examples of the interaction developed with the needs of disabled students in mind discussed in the chapter. The main advantages of different solutions were identified and examined. The authors also try to recognize possible threats and suggest some solutions to avoid them.

E-Learning Strategies for Emerging Economies in the Knowledge Era

With the coming of the digital age over a period of the last three decades, the letter “e” is used to refer to the electronic world. Formerly known as computer-based training, e-learning has also come of age and is increasingly oriented to real-time learning, that is, activities facilitating simultaneous interaction between learners and instructors. Further, the knowledge explosion makes it more a necessity than a luxury even for emerging economies to consider the e-learning platforms and adopt e-learning strategies. The objectives of this chapter are to understand the essentials of effective e-learning strategies and identify the barriers and facilitators in embedding e-learning for emerging economies so as to align well in this knowledge era. The methodology adopted is in depth literature review and grounded theory approach. Contextual analysis and is restricted to effectiveness of e-learning from an emerging economy point of view.

Exploring the Adoptions by Students of Web 2.0 Tools for E-Learning in Higher Education

Optimal public policies, including education, have been applied for the sustainable economic growth of the European Union. In European countries, the use of Web 2.0 tools for increasing the education quality is constantly expanding, even if it is divided into two categories. One category consists of developed countries, Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) members where there are the strongest of computing tools companies. Another category consists of OECD partner countries which hopes to fulfill the OECD requirements. The main study aim is the exploration of Web 2.0 tools adoptions for e-learning in one OECD candidate. A case study details how behavioral perceptions have been applied. Thus, a survey containing questions about socio-demographic characteristics alongside respondents' perceptions related to Web 2.0 tools for e-learning in higher education was applied. The research outcomes confirm the students' limited knowledge of Web 2.0. Authorities must indicate what measures are necessary for large-scale adoption of all Web 2.0 tools useful for education.

Do I Know My Learners…?

As digital technologies become an integrated part of our everyday lives, we need to consider how to harness their educational potential in higher education. However, despite considerable research into the use of technology in higher education, there still remains a gap between what teachers might perceive as valuable digital curriculum design and what students perceive as valuable digital learning experiences. One key component is how ubiquitous technologies can be harnessed to support students' learning experiences. In this chapter, the authors examine the implications of students' preferences and usage of u-technologies for designing teaching and learning curricula that positively exploit technology. This chapter builds on the research conducted by Daunert and Harteis that investigated pre-service teachers' preferences and experiences of u-technologies. The results of this cross-sectional survey are considered in relation to designing curricula in digital environments.

Indigenous Languages Learning Through Serious Games Based on Second Language Acquisition Theories

When new educational games are developed for teaching languages, a set of ideas or intuitions about how students can gain more knowledge are used; however, few of them are based on a solid theory or substantiated with linguistic research. This chapter presents a brief review about second language acquisition theories; describes the importance of recovering, maintaining, and transmitting indigenous languages; and analyzes efforts made for enhancing bilingual education. Serious games are presented as an alternative for learning indigenous languages, and guidelines to develop serious games implementing second language acquisition theories are proposed. Finally, a discussion about challenges and future trends in recovering, maintaining, and transmitting indigenous languages is presented.

Higher Education and Web 2.0

The abundance of evidence of Web 2.0's value in educational settings has provided both educators and researchers with prized information about the application of a panoply of technologies. The experience that this evidence portrays can be used to meaningfully direct teachers in their own ventures of Web 2.0 implementation. In online learning environments, any collaboration between the students must occur with the support of technology, so it is fundamental that technology functions as an enabler, maximizing the opportunities that online settings offer, and that students can tap into those technologies to enhance their learning experience. This chapter focuses on the implementation of Web 2.0 within higher education from the viewpoint of e-learning experts. It reports on the findings of on online questionnaire that examined both the barriers and the best practices of implementation and that was applied internationally among researchers and teachers in the higher education sector.

Temporal Asynchrony of Socio-Technical Devices in Distance Learning?

This chapter is based on a research that has been focusing on social sharing device effects and on students' practices of collaboration, communication, and mediation. The author has analyzed the recurring temporal split between academic environment and students' sphere in a context of distance learning. The goal is to understand the origin of the collaborative process of collective apprentice which is illustrated in the communities of apprenticeship outside the academic institution. A netnographic observation was conducted with Bachelor and Master's degrees in a private training center. The author assumes the information and communication socio-technical devices participate in the horizontalization of student practices. The author has highlighted the paradox of these learning communities, which are, unwittingly, in a process of social domination by having choosing a priori a decentralized structure. In light of the social criticism of the time, the observation reveals that digital technologies cause a temporal acceleration.

Current Studies Based on the Investigation of the Attitudes Towards the Internet in Higher Education

The aim of the chapter is to analyze the most recent studies on attitudes towards the internet in higher education. In recent years, there have been studies that focus on investigating the attitudes of students and teachers towards the use of internet in higher education. Thematic content analysis was used to investigate the studies conducted in the period 1998-2018 to measure the attitudes towards the internet. The thematic content analysis of the studies determined establishing the following three categories: 1) studies focused on investigating attitudes towards the implications of internet use; 2) studies based on identifying the relationship between attitudes towards the Internet and different variables; 3) studies centered on exploring attitudes of different members of higher education. The analysis of studies over the last 20 years contributes to determine the action directions for initiating new studies in this field.