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Sustainable E-Learning and Educational Technology

A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Sustainable Education and Approaches".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 April 2025 | Viewed by 5057

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Department of Computer Science, Superior Polytechnic School, University of Alcalá, Edificio Politécnico, Campus Universitario Ctr Barcelona Km 33.6, 28871 Alcala de Henares, Spain
Interests: e-learning; learning technologies; accessibility; metadata; framewoks; Open Educational Resources (OER); interoperability
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

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Guest Editor
Department of Software and Computing Systems, University of Alicante, 03690 Alicante, Spain
Interests: web application development; web accessibility and usability; video game accessibility; e-learning; Massive Open Online Courses (MOOC); Open Educational Resources (OER)
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

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Guest Editor
Department of Systems and Computing, Tecnológico Nacional de México / IT Aguascalientes, Aguascalientes 20256, Mexico
Interests: human–computer interaction, user research, user-centred design, usability, accessibility and equity in technology; design thinking, interfaces design, educational technology, open educational resources, software engineering and artificial intelligence
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Computer Science Department, University of Alcala, 28801 Alcalá de Henares, Spain
Interests: artificial intelligence; deep learning; design and optimization of antennas; electromagnetic radiation and scattering
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Technologies related to e-learning have advanced very quickly in recent years. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the importance of online teaching and its efficacy in achieving the learning objectives of the students have been demonstrated. E-learning is a highly planned method of building learning, which complements (blended learning or b-learning) or even replaces face-to-face learning. E-learning is composed of methodologies, educational and management strategies, as well as technological resources. It makes intensive use of information and communication technology (ICT) to reach a generally remote audience.

Educational technologies (also known as Edtech, or Edutech) implement ICT to integrate virtual environments that facilitate the teaching–learning processes inside and outside the classroom. This field of research faces multiple challenges including the analysis, development, and evaluation of virtual educational environments; the integration between technologies and the people involved in the teaching–learning process; the incorporation of technologies in face-to-face educational environments; and the development of learning materials and new technologies in the field of information technology.

Edtech is closely related to sustainable education which is aimed at promoting the values and motivations to act for sustainability now and in the future in learners, educational institutions, and communities. According to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the fourth Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) is Quality Education: to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all. Technology relates to six of the ten targets of the fourth SDG, and these references recognize that technology impacts the quality of education through five distinct channels: as an input, a means of delivery, a skill, a tool for planning, and by providing a social and cultural context (UNESCO).

This Special Issue focuses on adapting E-learning and Edtech according to the abilities and limitations of those involved in the teaching–learning process for sustainable E-learning. This implies several complex aspects including the integration of accessibility and inclusion in E-learning for students with disabilities or with cultural disadvantages, for example, language difficulties; adaptation of the contents, or even the teaching approach—for example, STEM—to the learning styles and abilities of students; and the planning and design of accessible and inclusive assessments for all students, which could be supported by strategies such as gamification. In this Special Issue, original research articles and reviews are welcome. Research areas may include (but are not limited to) the following:

  • E-learning personalization;
  • Sustainable education;
  • Sustainable E-learning;
  • Accessibility in E-learning;
  • Inclusive E-learning and educational technology;
  • Adaptative E-learning;
  • STEM and STEAM education;
  • Digital skills in E-learning;
  • E-learning and digital transformation;
  • Frameworks for E-learning;
  • Gamification and E-learning;
  • AI in E-learning;
  • VR in E-learning;
  • Intelligent tutoring system;
  • Soft skills in E-learning;
  • Microlearning.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Prof. Dr. Salvador Otón Tortosa
Prof. Dr. Sergio Luján-Mora
Dr. Ricardo Mendoza-González
Dr. Abdelhamid Tayebi Tayebi
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Sustainability is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • e-learning
  • educational technology
  • accessibility
  • inclusion
  • sustainable education
  • AI
  • STEM and STEAM education
  • gamification

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

31 pages, 3047 KiB  
Article
Self-Assessment Guide to Quality in Accessible Virtual Education: An Expert Validation
by Cristian Timbi-Sisalima, Mary Sánchez-Gordón, Salvador Otón-Tortosa and Ricardo Mendoza-González
Sustainability 2024, 16(22), 10011; https://doi.org/10.3390/su162210011 - 16 Nov 2024
Viewed by 595
Abstract
The evaluation of quality in education has gained greater relevance, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic, which enhanced virtual learning and further highlighted the need for inclusive, equitable, and quality education in line with SDG 4. It has become indispensable to have evaluation models [...] Read more.
The evaluation of quality in education has gained greater relevance, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic, which enhanced virtual learning and further highlighted the need for inclusive, equitable, and quality education in line with SDG 4. It has become indispensable to have evaluation models and tools supported by empirical validation to ensure their applicability and reliability in diverse educational contexts. This study addresses this need by validating a self-assessment guide designed to evaluate the quality of virtual education from an accessibility perspective. The validation process involved three phases: a preliminary phase with 4 experts to identify areas for improvement in the structure, clarity, and relevance of the content; an extended phase with 20 experts to evaluate reliability and validity; and a pilot study implemented in four higher-education institutions to verify the guide’s applicability in real environments. Reliability and validity were assessed using standard psychometric techniques, confirming high internal consistency and content validity, although some areas required clarity adjustments. The findings indicate that this guide can serve as a robust tool for institutions aiming to advance accessible and high-quality virtual education, directly supporting SDG 4’s commitment to inclusive education. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable E-Learning and Educational Technology)
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34 pages, 4726 KiB  
Article
Sustainable Personalized E-Learning through Integrated Cross-Course Learning Path Planning
by Qin Xiao, Yong-Wei Zhang, Xiao-Qi Xin and Li-Wen Cai
Sustainability 2024, 16(20), 8867; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16208867 - 13 Oct 2024
Viewed by 850
Abstract
This study addresses the growing need for sustainable and personalized learning solutions in online education by optimizing cross-course learning paths. With the increasing volume of e-learning resources, students often struggle to select appropriate courses and learning paths that align with their individual abilities [...] Read more.
This study addresses the growing need for sustainable and personalized learning solutions in online education by optimizing cross-course learning paths. With the increasing volume of e-learning resources, students often struggle to select appropriate courses and learning paths that align with their individual abilities and goals. A novel cross-course learning path planning model is proposed, which integrates resources from multiple courses using modified matching functions based on Item Response Theory (IRT) and a knowledge graph. This model effectively matches learner attributes, such as abilities, learning styles, and goals, with material attributes like difficulty, types, and prerequisites. An innovative variable-length continuous representation (VLCR) and an improved differential evolution algorithm are employed to optimize the multi-attribute matching (MAM) model, enhancing learning personalization. Results from numerical experiments indicate that cross-course learning paths significantly enhance learning outcomes for a wide range of learners, with over 45% benefiting from improved matches compared to single-course paths. Additionally, 70% of learners experienced similar or better results with cross-course learning. This approach not only promotes efficient learning but also supports sustainable educational practices, preparing educators and learners to meet the challenges of a rapidly changing world. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable E-Learning and Educational Technology)
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19 pages, 706 KiB  
Article
Sustaining and Reinforcing the Perceived Value of Higher Education: E-Learning with Micro-Credentials
by Ravi Narayanaswamy, Caitlyn S. Albers, Tami L. Knotts and Nancy D. Albers
Sustainability 2024, 16(20), 8860; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16208860 - 13 Oct 2024
Viewed by 830
Abstract
An important aspect of sustaining higher education is to produce graduates prepared for careers with the expertise and experiences desired by prospective employers. Micro-credentials delivered by higher education can confirm the students’ mastery of demanded skills and knowledge. The use of micro-credentials as [...] Read more.
An important aspect of sustaining higher education is to produce graduates prepared for careers with the expertise and experiences desired by prospective employers. Micro-credentials delivered by higher education can confirm the students’ mastery of demanded skills and knowledge. The use of micro-credentials as an e-learning technology supports sustainability in higher education by reinforcing students’ employability. With hundreds of thousands of these credentials available in the United States, it is predictable that not all are equal. We explored the perceived value of micro-credentials reported by students and employers. Clear differences were found, with employers recognizing their value more than students. Additionally, we considered the source of the credential, which is the organization that creates, brands, and sponsors the award. Results demonstrated that employers used the sources for assessing value. We also tested the differences when higher education was the provider of the micro-credential, and institution type (issuer) was relevant to employers’ value. Finally, this study distinguished between the academic rigor and integrity of university-delivered micro-credentials associated with earning transcripted course credits and credentials that could be earned without course credits (non-transcripted). Employers valued transcripted micro-credentials more. This study found support for the use of micro-credentials to represent the mastery of skills and knowledge in higher education. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable E-Learning and Educational Technology)
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21 pages, 2002 KiB  
Article
The Use of AI-Driven Automation to Enhance Student Learning Experiences in the KSA: An Alternative Pathway to Sustainable Education
by Ibrahim Mutambik
Sustainability 2024, 16(14), 5970; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16145970 - 12 Jul 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1907
Abstract
The relevance of virtual learning platforms has been increasingly recognised, and their merit in contributing to sustainable education is ever growing. Depending on the context, the benefits of these virtual platforms were revealed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Moreover, their impact has lingered on [...] Read more.
The relevance of virtual learning platforms has been increasingly recognised, and their merit in contributing to sustainable education is ever growing. Depending on the context, the benefits of these virtual platforms were revealed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Moreover, their impact has lingered on post-COVID-19, and virtual learning is now considered a viable option for continuing and sustainable education. Therefore, many countries have taken advantage of these virtual platforms to maximise student engagement, as evidenced by the reports in the existing literature. However, while these studies have explored how this can best be achieved, there are very few studies which have examined how the use of virtual platforms can help to deliver an educational approach that prepares young people to address the many and complex sustainability challenges of the future, i.e., the delivery of sustainable education. This study addresses this gap in the literature by exploring the question of how AI-powered automation can enhance student learning experiences in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (hereafter, KSA) as an alternative pathway for sustainable education. Data were collected from 1991 undergraduate and postgraduate students across 10 different Saudi universities using an online survey. The data were analysed using advanced structural equation modelling (SEM) to examine the relationship between student readiness and the (AI-powered) automation of administrative processes. The findings highlight the transformative potential of AI as an alternative pathway to sustainable education and for streamlining learning management system (LMS) operations. The implications of this study extend beyond the immediate instructional context, offering strategic direction for educators, LMS designers, policymakers, and institutional leaders in harnessing AI to equip individuals with the knowledge, skills, values, and attitudes necessary to contribute to a sustainable future. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable E-Learning and Educational Technology)
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