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Digital Technologies in Education: Empowering Teachers and Learners for Collective Well-Being

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (25 June 2025) | Viewed by 2835

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), New Delhi, India
Interests: educational technology; learning & cognition; learning science; multi-modal learning analytics; authentic learning; development of scientific temperament

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Historically, notions of collective well-being have been evident throughout many societies, both literate and non-literate. During the COVID-19 pandemic, however, its implications came into sharper global focus, with digital technology serving as a lifeline for community connectivity. For many communities, resilience emerged as a shared experience. The experience of connectivity was not universal, however, with many populations left disenfranchised, existing divides deepening, and new divides forming. This raises a host of questions concerning the scope of innovation. What does this mean for teaching and learning? Adding further complexity, the disruption triggered by generative AI in this last year suggests that effective and sustained responses may take time to emerge.

In the contemporary context, sustainability has arguably emerged as the word of the decade, becoming a term that now has a much wider reach than environmental issues and the pivotal message of UNESCO’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). SDG4 commits to “ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all”.  This is a clear goal, but such aspirations were articulated long before the change of the millennium. Moreover, digital technology has often been seen as part of the solution, as with one laptop per child, the hole in the wall and other related initiatives. The issue is that such initiatives have not been sustainable. What then might help create more durable solutions? And how is individual and societal well-being considered in the midst of ongoing advancements in digital innovation? How do we meaningfully prepare for future waves of disruption? Will the aggregate impact only widen existing divides? Are ‘lighthouse’ innovations emerging?

This Special Issue calls for papers that address these topics with an over-arching focus on promoting collective well-being. What is already working? What programs are positioned to achieve such goals? What ‘good news’ stories provide insight and evidence that might guide others?

Dr. Jon Mason
Dr. Shitanshu Mishra
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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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

  • well-being
  • digital technology
  • global citizenship
  • SDGs
  • innovation
  • disruption
  • education
  • learning
  • e-learning
  • frameworks

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

24 pages, 1517 KiB  
Article
Developing a Competency-Based Transition Education Framework for Marine Superintendents: A DACUM-Integrated Approach in the Context of Eco-Digital Maritime Transformation
by Yung-Ung Yu, Chang-Hee Lee and Young-Joong Ahn
Sustainability 2025, 17(14), 6455; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17146455 - 15 Jul 2025
Viewed by 194
Abstract
Amid structural changes driven by the greening and digital transformation of the maritime industry, the demand for career transitions of seafarers with onboard experience to shore-based positions—particularly ship superintendents—is steadily increasing. However, the current lack of a systematic education and career development framework [...] Read more.
Amid structural changes driven by the greening and digital transformation of the maritime industry, the demand for career transitions of seafarers with onboard experience to shore-based positions—particularly ship superintendents—is steadily increasing. However, the current lack of a systematic education and career development framework to support such transitions poses a critical challenge for shipping companies seeking to secure sustainable human resources. The aim of this study was to develop a competency-based training program that facilitates the effective transition of seafarers to shore-based ship superintendent roles. We integrated a developing a curriculum (DACUM) analysis with competency-based job analysis to achieve this aim. The core competencies required for ship superintendent duties were identified through three expert consultations. In addition, social network analysis (SNA) was used to quantitatively assess the structure and priority of the training content. The analysis revealed that convergent competencies, such as digital technology literacy, responsiveness to environmental regulations, multicultural organizational management, and interpretation of global maritime regulations, are essential for a successful career shift. Based on these findings, a modular training curriculum comprising both common foundational courses and specialized advanced modules tailored to job categories was designed. The proposed curriculum integrated theoretical instruction, practical training, and reflective learning to enhance both applied understanding and onsite implementation capabilities. Furthermore, the concept of a Seafarer Success Support Platform was proposed to support a lifecycle-based career development pathway that enables rotational mobility between sea and shore positions. This digital learning platform was designed to offer personalized success pathways aligned with the career stages and competency needs of maritime personnel. Its cyclical structure, comprising career transition, competency development, field application, and performance evaluation, enables seamless career integration between shipboard- and shore-based roles. Therefore, the platform has the potential to evolve into a practical educational model that integrates training, career development, and policies. This study contributes to maritime human resource development by integrating the DACUM method with a competency-based framework and applying social network analysis (SNA) to quantitatively prioritize training content. It further proposes the Seafarer Success Support Platform as an innovative model to support structured career transitions from shipboard roles to shore-based supervisory positions. Full article
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16 pages, 276 KiB  
Article
Teacher and School Mediation for Online Risk Prevention and Management: Fostering Sustainable Education in the Digital Age
by Esther Chiner, Marcos Gómez-Puerta, Santiago Mengual-Andrés and Gladys Merma-Molina
Sustainability 2025, 17(8), 3711; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17083711 - 19 Apr 2025
Viewed by 721
Abstract
(1) Background: The increasing use of information and communication technologies (ICT) in educational environments has introduced new challenges related to digital safety and sustainability. Teacher mediation and institutional initiatives are pivotal for preventing and managing Internet-related risks. This study investigates teacher and school [...] Read more.
(1) Background: The increasing use of information and communication technologies (ICT) in educational environments has introduced new challenges related to digital safety and sustainability. Teacher mediation and institutional initiatives are pivotal for preventing and managing Internet-related risks. This study investigates teacher and school mediation strategies for online risk prevention, analysing differences across educational settings and stages in Spain to inform inclusive digital safety practices. (2) Methodology: a quantitative study was conducted using a cross-sectional survey design involving 550 elementary and secondary school teachers from both mainstream and special education schools. (3) Results: Most schools implement intervention plans to mitigate risks associated with students’ Internet use, although the approach to these plans varies according to educational stage and school setting. Teachers employ strategies such as setting classroom rules and supporting students with online challenges, with secondary school teachers and those in mainstream schools tending to adopt more comprehensive or conversation-based prevention strategies. (4) Conclusions: Teachers and schools play a crucial role in ensuring digital safety and sustainability. Future efforts should strengthen digital skills, foster responsible online behaviour, and build inclusive, flexible learning environments according to the differing needs observed across stages and school settings. Full article
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