Learning and working in a digital age

With a hybrid approach of face-to-face and remote learning increasing in the higher education sector, motivating students to work at home remains a challenge. One thing that isn’t a challenge? Convincing students to play video games. This research investigates the hypothesis that by utilising gamification methods, educators can increase student motivation for their online learning, with this research taking place in the context of learning programming. Concluding two studies, findings include an increased motivation when gamified elements are incorporated in virtual learning environments.

Technology has made it incredibly easy to match professional service providers with customers. We can get food delivered to our doorstep, call a driver to nearly any location, and even hire a coder to build a website – all through apps on our mobile devices. As customers, these apps may be very convenient. However, the people making these services work are often obscured behind our screens. This talk will peek underneath the screen and illuminate the technologies and human costs that make these apps work. Are these apps the future of work we want?