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This paper draws on actor-network theory and on the sociology of cultural consumption to examine the phenomenon of corporate Massive Open Online Courses. Through an analysis of texts available in the public domain, the paper argues that over a short period (between 2012 and 2013) digitisation technology became associated with the emergence of a hybrid "actor": the digital video-recorder teacher. A parallel is drawn between the "interactive affordances" of digital instruction and the playback and cataloguing options that have contributed to shifts in television viewing habits. The digital video-recorder teacher is described as an artefact in the service of a postmodern project of self-improvement through cultural consumption, which recruits digitisation to meet a growing demand for "upgrades to the self". In the conclusion, the paper explores how the study of digital education could benefit from an interface between sociomaterial studies and the sociology of culture.

This paper draws on actor-network theory and on the sociology of cultural consumption to examine the phenomenon of corporate Massive Open Online Courses. Through an analysis of texts available in the public domain, the paper argues that over a short period (between 2012 and 2013) digitisation technology became associated with the emergence of a hybrid ‘actor’: the digital video-recorder teacher. A parallel is drawn between the ‘interactive affordances’ of digital instruction and the playback and cataloguing options that have contributed to shifts in television viewing habits. The digital video-recorder teacher is described as an artefact in the service of a postmodern project of self-improvement through cultural consumption, which recruits digitisation to meet a growing demand for ‘upgrades to the self’. In the conclusion, the paper explores how the study of digital education could benefit from an interface between sociomaterial studies and the sociology of culture. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Higher education institutions have a critical role to play in preparing students to meet the demands of an increasingly technological world. Drawing on a survey of 762 undergraduate students in two universities in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), this paper examines the actual experiences of digital technology of students during their academic studies while seeking to develop a better understanding of the realities that the students encounter when using technology inside and outside their classrooms. The study also investigates what students really need to enhance their learning. The collected data confirm the international research findings that the digital age is not 'transforming' the nature of university. Additionally, traditional teaching methods and conventional 'in-the-box' student thinking and practices with technology still prevail. Bearing in mind the particularities of students in the UAE context, blending technology with the formal in-person approach can produce significant benefits in relation to effectively improving student learning and success. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Service design has gained ground in the field of education. This article aims to reveal current approaches of service design applied to higher education pedagogy. The methodological approach is thematic literature review. Great variation in the application of service design can be found through review of selected literature. Three key categories were used for analysis: service, method and value. Four main approaches emerge from the results: service design applied on (1) courses and assignments; (2) pedagogical methods or models; (3) pedagogical applications for specific groups and (4) pedagogy outside formal education. Managers, teachers or researchers can use the results of this study to develop higher education pedagogy with service design approaches. Results also indicate possibilities for further research in the area of participatory design, international and national collaboration or value creation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines two different cases or "events"in Twitter to understand the role that negative emotions play in online discussions of academic labour. As academic labour conditions deteriorate and academics take to online spaces, they do so to critique, connect, and organize. We suggest that negative emotions may play a productive role in raising awareness of labour issues, as well as serving as a site for organizing across academic hierarchies and beyond the university. Additionally, negative emotions may fuel the production of new networks, personal, and professional connections. However, as we show, anger online can also provoke substantive repercussions, both personally and institutionally. We suggest that paying attention to the role that negative emotions play on Twitter can help academics gain a better sense of how to use their digital labour for collective action. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As education experiences are increasingly mediated by technology, the present research explored how causal attributions for academic computing difficulties impacted emotions and achievement in two studies conducted with post-secondary students in North America and Germany. Study 1 (N = 1063) found ability attributions for computer problems to be emotionally maladaptive (more guilt, helplessness, anger, shame, regret, anxiety, and boredom), with strategy attributions being more emotionally adaptive (more hope, pride, and enjoyment). Study 2 (N = 788) further showed ability attributions for computer problems to predict poorer academic achievement (grade percentage) over and above effects of attributions for poor academic performance. Across studies, the effects of effort attributions for computer problems were mixed in corresponding to more negative computing-related emotions despite academic achievement benefits. Implications for future research on students' academic computing attributions are discussed with respect to domain-specificity, intervention, and technical support considerations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]