Computer-based technology and student engagement: a critical review of the literature

Computer-based technology has infiltrated many aspects of life and industry, yet there is little understanding of how it can be used to promote student engagement, a concept receiving strong attention in higher education due to its association with a number of positive academic outcomes. The purpose of this article is to present a critical review of the literature from the past 5 years related to how web-conferencing software, blogs, wikis, social networking sites (Facebook and Twitter), and digital games influence student engagement. We prefaced the findings with a substantive overview of student engagement definitions and indicators, which revealed three types of engagement (behavioral, emotional, and cognitive) that informed how we classified articles. Our findings suggest that digital games provide the most far-reaching influence across different types of student engagement, followed by web-conferencing and Facebook. Findings regarding wikis, blogs, and Twitter are less conclusive and significantly limited in number of studies conducted within the past 5 years. Overall, the findings provide preliminary support that computer-based technology influences student engagement, however, additional research is needed to confirm and build on these findings. We conclude the article by providing a list of recommendations for practice, with the intent of increasing understanding of how computer-based technology may be purposefully implemented to achieve the greatest gains in student engagement. © 2017, The Author(s)

A fuzzy TOPSIS model for selecting digital technologies in circular supply chains

This is the final version. Available on open access from Elsevier via the DOI in this recordSeveral digital technologies are available to facilitate the transition toward a circular supply chain infrastructure. Small-Medium Enterprises (SMEs) should assess their readiness and measure their performance to select the most appropriate digital technology. This study explores how well-established digital technologies such as Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS), the Internet of Things (IoT), Cloud Manufacturing (CM), and Big Data Analytics (BDA) impact circular supply chain infrastructure in SMEs. Questionnaires have been distributed to collect employees’ preferences concerning the circular supply chain management criteria (profit, innovation, sustainability, and optimization). The responses have been organized into three clusters using Principal Component Analysis (PCA). A fuzzy Technique for Order Performance by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) technique is adopted to evaluate these technologies since it constitutes a reliable managerial tool when vagueness impacts the smooth operation of the supply chain. Results indicate the ranking order of the investigated digital technologies (CPS>IoT>CM>BDA) as well as the circular benefits and the supply chain attributes imparted upon implementing these technologies. Such benefits and attributes are provided to assess the impact of these digital technologies on a circular economy. Lastly, the perspective of the selection process affected by other factors, such as the enterprise’s extroversion level and its internal structure, are discussed