Call form papers SPECIAL ISSUE: Inclusion of digital learning materials in formal, non-formal, and informal educational contexts

05-12-2024

call for papers

Keywords: learning materials, educational technology, digital competence, informal learning, informal education, non-formal education, formal education

Editors of the Special Issue: 

 

Introduction:

Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) have become integral to our daily lives, and their impact on education is undeniable. There is a clear consensus among the academic community on the need to integrate digital technologies into teaching and learning processes, both to promote the acquisition and enhancement of digital competence -a key skill students are expected to develop- and to enrich teaching-learning processes and cater for diversity in the classroom. Based on this premise, states have been developing plans and programs aimed at the inclusion of technologies in schools for decades.

In this sense, the integration of digital learning materials in education has become increasingly relevant in recent years, especially in the context of intensive digitization, and educational and training transformation. As technologies continue to shape the way we teach and learn, it is essential to analyze and reflect on how these materials can be effectively used to enhance educational and training processes in diverse scenarios.

This special thematic section aims to bring together contributions addressing the use and implementation of digital learning materials in various contexts, including formal non-university, non-formal and informal education. This topic is of particular interest in the current situation, where the COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the adoption of digital tools, materials, and methodologies supported by technology, promoting increasingly decentralized and flexible learning opportunities. Digital learning materials not only facilitate processes, but also offer new opportunities for personalization of learning, collaboration between participants, and the inclusion of learner-centered pedagogical approaches.

Studies are invited that include theoretical reviews, research using qualitative, quantitative, or mixed approaches, as well as empirical research results and practical experiences. Papers derived from research projects funded through public and private calls for proposals will be particularly welcome.

 

Topics or lines of interest:

  • Methodological innovations with digital materials in formal, non-formal, and informal contexts.
  • Digital competence of students and teachers in non-university education, focusing on the creation of digital materials and resources.
  • Design, implementation, and evaluation of digital teaching materials.
  • Technologies, accessibility, and digital inclusion in digital learning materials.
  • Educational policies for the integration of digital technologies and resources.
  • Delocalized learning in informal contexts.
  • Emerging trends in digital educational materials and resources.
  • Digital resources in non-formal education: after-school programs and community spaces.
  • Digital materials for digital literacy in vulnerable communities.
  • Inter-institutional collaboration and informal learning networks with digital materials and resources.

 

Important deadlines: 

  • Initial date for submitting paper: 01/12/2024
  • Submission deadline: 31/05/2025
  • Publication of the special issue: december 2025

 

Profile of the editors: 

Mercedes Romero Rodrigo

PhD in Education from the Universitat de València. She is Assistant Professor in the Department of Didactics and School Organisation at the University of Valencia. Her professional experience includes more than ten years in positions related to student care and guidance, as well as teacher training and the development of resources for online education. She currently teaches subjects related to school organisation, didactics and ICT. She has collaborated in several regional and national research projects on educational policies and digitalisation in schools. She is a member of the research group CRIE (Curriculum, Resources and Educational Institutions of the University of Valencia) and of the University Network of Educational Technology (RUTE). She has published several articles on educational technology, digital competence and pedagogical resources.

ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9103-5668   

Cristina Sánchez Martínez 

PhD in Education and Behavioural Sciences from the University of Vigo (Spain); international mention, with outstanding Cum Laude qualification and Extraordinary Doctorate Award (2019). She has published several scientific articles indexed in JCR and book chapters. In addition, I have participated in international and national conferences. She is a member of National R+D+I Projects. She is part of the research group on educational and socio-educational contexts, HI14. Her research focuses on the use of mobile devices applied to education, as well as educational innovation. She has been a member of the UVigo teaching and research staff since 2015. She has taught subjects mainly on ICT applied to education in the Degrees of Social Education and Primary Education, in the Department of Didactics, School Organization and Research Methods in the Faculty of Education and Social Work. She also teaches subjects in the Master's Degree in Teaching and Educational Diversity. 

ORCID:  https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1774-1919   

Anabel Bethencourt Aguilar

PhD in Education from the University of La Laguna, Cum Laude (2023). FPU Predoctoral Contracted by the Ministry of Education. Extraordinary Prize in the Degree of Graduate in Pedagogy ULL and National Prize End of Career Graduate in Pedagogy of the Ministry of Universities. Substitute lecturer in the Department of Didactics and Educational Research of the Faculty of Education, University of La Laguna. Member of the research and innovation group Laboratorio de Nuevas Tecnologías y Educación (EDULLAB) and of the Cátedra Fundación MAPFRE Canarias de Tecnología y Educación of the University of La Laguna. She has participated in various international, national and regional research and innovation projects and has published high-impact academic articles based on the results of these projects. Her line of research focuses on the area of Educational Technology and, specifically, she specialises in academic analytics, learning analytics, big data analysis and educational big data. 

ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3823-0835  



GUIDELINES FOR AUTHORS AND SUBMISSION OF CONTRIBUTIONS

We welcome original contributions, written in English or Spanish that thoughtfully engage: 

  • Research projects reports, extension of 5000-6500 words.
  • Innovation experiences scientifically reviewed and susceptible of being transfered to other contexts and situations, extension of 5000-6500 words.
  • Systematic literature reviews, extension of 5000-6500 words.

 

Manuscripts must be sent through the journal management system selecting the special issue Inclusion of digital learning materials in formal, non-formal, and informal educational contexts: http://www.edutec.es/revista/

Publication rules: manuscripts must be submited following the regular structure of the EDUTEC-E journal available at: http://www.edutec.es/revista/

Last call for the reception of manuscripts: 31/05/25

Editorial process: Submitted manuscripts will be under revision following established criteria for published manuscripts (editorial board and blind review). Once the Editorial Board has completed all the admission procedures, authors will receive anonymous scientific evaluation reports informing on their acceptance or rejection. More information about the review process and its communication is available at: http://www.edutec.es/revista/

Quality Index: EDUTEC journal is indexed in the main databases, directories and evaluation systems of specialized journals. More information about indexations is available at:  https://edutec.es/revista/index.php/edutec-e/indexacion