Introduction: End of the Line, or New Threshold? Pedagogy at Bay

How did the 2020-2022 coronavirus pandemic (Covid-19) impact education? To what extent will Covid-19-related educational reconfigurations (embracing online training) remain an ongoing global question? Is education being restructured? Eight substantive chapters address those questions at the tertiary education level. They make qualitative analyses of student/faculty/administrative surveys at two levels: the playground (institution turning to online) and platform (online medium utilized). Placing both case studies of five universities in four countries, and comparative insights from them' in familiar globalization-localization' theoretical prisms (micro for the local, macro for the national and global), this volume finds the micro-macro admixture not just fundamental to the future of education, but also pivotal to changes in the socio-cultural and political economic fabrics. Predicting tectonic pedagogical transformations in the future, the most worrisome force might be not the transformations themselves, but the potentially fleeting historical speed of change. © The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2023.

Indústria 4.0: serviço social no sistema previdenciário em tempos da pandemia de COVID-19

Este texto discute o cenário do trabalho de assistentes sociais (AS) da Previdência Social (PS) no Brasil, a partir da pandemia do novo coronavírus, COVID-19. Busca evidenciar como AS responderam à pandemia, em termos do seu trabalho e quais as principais mudanças ocorridas na PS nesse período. Utiliza-se de uma entrevista semiestruturada na forma de grupo focal com AS da PS. A ênfase fundamental recai sobre os processos de informatização dos benefícios previdenciários e teletrabalho correspondendo ao aprofundamento do neoliberalismo e maior fragilização do trabalho.Alternate :This text discusses the work scenario of social workers (SW) of Brazilian Social Security (BSS) from the pandemic of the new coronavirus, COVID-19. It seeks to highlight how SW responded to the pandemic, in terms of their work and what the main changes occurred in BSS during this period. It uses a semi-structured interview in the form of a focus group with SW of BSS. The fundamental emphasis is on the computerization processes of social security benefits and telework, corresponding to the deepening of neoliberalism and greater weakening of work.

Green economy and the future in a post-pandemic World

The future to geo-political and geo-economic conundrums is by transforming current economies into inclusive and sustainable societies. In this race for global dominance and hegemony, policy makers must be wary of not forgetting institutional practices of conserving and preserving ecosystems and biospheres with pro-active and proper thinking. Governments that are in power must be sensible to realize that economies will eventually grow when more people join the formal and informal sectors, but the challenge is to have a planet that sustains our needs rather than addressing our greed. Legal systems must work harder in the 21st century to embed proper and critical thinking driven by an ecological conscience to preserve, conserve and protect the environment that sustains us. The technology that is being built and fashioned to drive businesses must submit to stringent ecological standards. With the rapid spread of Covid19, scientists are aware that humanity will be afflicted with more such zoonotic diseases primarily brought on by the global warming and climate change. Third world governments in their search for competing and contributing with the global economy forget the impending dangers of a cataclysmic warmer, hotter and unsustainable planet that will deprive burgeoning populations of food and clean water furthering a health scare. Across the globe, we have witnessed government's response to Covid19 especially in the third world and the loss of lives that could have been prevented. This affliction is bound to endure owing to the inadequate policies that fail to create low-carbon economies or submit to Sustainable Development Goals that could mitigate the debilitating effects of a globally warmer planet. In all of this, the future will be fought not over oil but wars are bound to be fought over water and food and lack of immediate or urgent healthcare support. It is observed painfully, that the people most affected or afflicted with the mostly the marginalized, the poor, the disadvantaged. In this paper, I propose how governments of the day must transform their economies to be sustainable and inclusive, ameliorate global warming, promote healthy agricultural practices, constantly set higher moral standards for a low-carbon economy and build on a healthcare system that is robust and flexible to everyone's needs. The globe after observing many discussions at Copenhagen is now becoming familiar with the reality of a resource-efficient economy and natural capital as an invaluable economic asset. © 2023 Scrivener Publishing LLC. All rights reserved.

Fit for purpose? The patents regime, the Fourth Industrial Revolution, and sustainable development

This article uses data from several publicly available databases to show that the distribution of intellectual property for frontier technologies, including those useful for sustainable development, is very highly skewed in favor of a handful of developed countries. The intellectual property rights (IPR) regime as it exists does not optimize the global flow of technology and know-how for the attainment of the sustainable development goals and is in need of updating. Some features of the Fourth Industrial Revolution imply that the current system of patents is even more in need of reform than before. COVID-19 vaccines and therapies and the vast inequality in access to these has highlighted the costs of inaction. We recommend several policy changes for the international IPR regime. Broadly, these fall into three categories: allowing greater flexibility for developing countries, reassessing the appropriateness of patents for technologies that may be considered public goods, and closing loopholes that allow for unreasonable intellectual property protections.

How COVID-19 is Accelerating the Digital Revolution: Challenges and Opportunities

This book explores how digital technologies have proved to be a useful and necessary tool to help ensure that local and regional governments on the frontline of the emergency can continue to provide essential public services during the COVID-19 crisis. Indeed, as the demand for digital technologies grows, local and regional governments are increasingly committed to improving the lives of their citizens under the principles of privacy, freedom of expression and democracy. The Digital Revolution began between the late 1950s and 1970s and represents the evolution of technology from the mechanical and analog to the digital. The advent of digital technology has also changed how humans communicate today using computers, smartphones and the internet. Further, the digital revolution has made a tremendous wealth of information accessible to virtually everyone. In turn, the book focuses on key challenges for local and regional governments concerning digital technologies during this crisis, e.g. the balance between privacy and security, the digital divide, and accessibility. Privacy is a challenge in the mitigation of COVID-19, as governments rely on digital technologies like contact-tracking apps and big data to help trace peoples patterns and movements. While these methods are controversial and may infringe on rights to privacy, they also appear to be effective measures for rapidly controlling and limiting the spread of the virus. Next, the book discusses the 10 technology trends that can help build a resilient society, as well as their effects on how we do business, how we work, how we produce goods, how we learn, how we seek medical services and how we entertain ourselves. Lastly, the book addresses a range of diversified technologies, e.g. Online Shopping and Robot Deliveries, Digital and Contactless Payments, Remote Work, Distance Learning, Telehealth, Online Entertainment, Supply Chain 4.0, 3D Printing, Robotics and Drones, 5G, and Information and Communications Technology (ICT). © The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2022.

Teaching and Learning Mathematics Using Technology in Rwanda Basic Education Schools Amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic

In the Fourth Industrial Revolution era, many countries are investing in integrating technology into education, and Rwanda is not an exception. This chapter explores students' and teachers' self-efficacy, perceptions, and experiences on using technology in learning and teaching mathematics during the Covid-19 pandemic. Moreover, the study sought to reveal differences in technology use according to the participants' backgrounds. To collect quantitative data, the study administered an online self-reported questionnaire to students and teachers in Rwanda in primary and secondary schools. The independent t-test and One-Way ANOVA enabled us to examine differences in technology use according to participants' backgrounds. The findings revealed that most Rwandan primary and secondary mathematics teachers were not equipped with sufficient knowledge and skills to use technology during the covid-19 pandemic, causing them to find e-learning technologies inconvenient. In terms of technology use, using the t-test, it was observed that there were no significant differences at p > 0.05 between male and female students and teachers. Additionally, the study found that teachers with different educational qualifications and teaching experiences used technology similarly when teaching mathematics. In contrast, the t-test showed that there were substantial differences at p > 0.05 between rural and urban students' and teachers' use of technology in mathematics. This study recommends that mathematics teachers be continually trained to embrace new technologies that will equip learners with twenty-first-century skills. © The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2022.

Disruption and Public Policy Education Across Asia: The Fourth Industrial Revolution, the Climate Crisis, and Covid-19

The fourth industrial revolution (4IR) is transforming the skills and competencies needed to lead a successful working life. The climate crisis is threatening ways of life, and the Covid-19 pandemic has tested our social-economic systems. The work and training of public policy professionals is also changing as a result. How graduate and undergraduate learning is designed and delivered should adapt with pedagogies and content relevant to our changing world. This chapter details how public policy is transforming given the 4IR and the educational changes that can be implemented to deliver relevant, impactful public policy learning in Asia. Practitioners working in higher education across Asia can consider case study and simulation learning authentic to real-world scenarios and experiential learning to form professionals ready for the automated world's demands. The chapter provides practical advice for pedagogy and content shifts. © The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2022.

INNOVATIVE UTILIZATION OF VIRTUAL CONFERENCING APPLICATIONS: BASIS FOR NEW TECHNOLOGICAL MANAGEMENT APPROACH

In this fourth industrial revolution of technologies, video conferencing applications are now utilized for online business meetings, online classes, and scientific and experimental purposes engaged in a virtual meeting room due to rigorous cases of coronavirus disease 2019. Several difficulties and technical disruptions were encountered in using the said apps, especially during online classes and business conferences. In connection thereto, this Optimization and Innovative Utilization of Virtual Conferencing Applications dissertation were developed to have a new basis for a technological management approach based on the most commonly used video conferencing applications. The encountered problems, considered factors, and optimization processes were also determined. Descriptive quantitative research was used as methodology, and initial closed-ended questionnaires, evaluation forms with a 4-point Likert scale, interviews, consultations, and testing were the instruments and sources of data. Three hundred one (301) respondents were randomly selected around the Province of Laguna, Philippines, composed of 203 respondents from schools, 78 respondents from companies, and 20 professional evaluators. The developed strategic model was evaluated using 6 out of 8 general characteristics of the ISO/IEC 25010: 2011 system quality model, which includes usability, reliability, performance efficiency, maintainability, compatibility, and security. All data gathered were validated as well as the statistical treatments such as percentage, weighted and composite means, and t-test, which was used to determine the significant difference between the normal and optimized utilization of video conferencing applications. Obtained results revealed that utilizing the developed strategic model was significantly more acceptable and effective rather than the normal utilization of the common apps. The teachers and students and as well as the workers of business enterprises are the beneficiaries of this study to optimize and utilize the said applications for better learning and optimal workflow © 2006-2023 Asian Research Publishing Network (ARPN). All rights reserved

The Role of Dynamic Capabilities Based on Digital Literacy on The Performance of Marketing Innovations for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises: Acces la Success

This study aims to determine the effect of environmental strategy on dynamic capabilities based on digital literacy and the performance of marketing innovations for micro, small and medium enterprises. Digital literacy-based dynamic capabilities consist of two important components, namely marketing competencies and research and development competencies. The nature of this research is explanatory where the number of research samples is micro, small and medium enterprises that have used information technology with a total number of respondents as many as 200 micro, small and medium enterprises which are divided proportionally to seven regions in Indonesia with the sampling method using accidental sampling method. The data analysis technique used SEM analysis with the help of AMOS software. The results showed that environmental strategy had no significant effect on marketing competence. Environmental strategy has a significant effect on the direction of a positive relationship to research and development competencies and has a significant effect on the direction of a positive relationship on the marketing innovation performance of micro, small and medium enterprises. Marketing competence and research and development competence have a significant effect with a positive direction of relationship to the marketing innovation performance of micro, small and medium enterprises. Research and development competence has a significant effect on the direction of a positive relationship to the marketing performance of micro, small and medium enterprises.

Formation of Digital Skills of Personnel in the Cooperative Sector of the Economy in the Face of New Challenges

Industry 4.0 is the central topic of numerous publications by foreign and Russian scientists, most of which are conceptual in nature. The current labor market requires the formation of new competencies and skills demanded in the digital economy. Digital reality dictates the need to develop new competencies—digital skills. Knowledge of computer technology, the use of software, and programming have become essential. For most organizations worldwide, the COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the digitalization and adoption of digital ways of working. The development of new forms of employment (remote and combined) using digital technology will contribute to positive changes in the labor market. Based on these trends in the digital transformation of current society, the research aims to examine the digital skills of employees in the cooperative sector of the economy and their demand in the labor market in the context of Industry 4.0. The authors use descriptive statistical methods to process official data from the Federal State Statistics Service of the Russian Federation and the Higher School of Economics. The research indicates that the transformation of the labor market and forms of employment requires the development of new competencies demanded in Industry 4.0. In the digital economy, employment opportunities increasingly depend on a person's digital skills and competencies. This paper is one of the first comprehensive studies of the changing labor conditions, working environment, and the emergence of new competencies in Industry 4.0. This research contributes to the problem of studying digital skills as a component of human capital and can be the basis for further research in this subject area. © 2023, The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.

An IoT-based and cloud-assisted AI-driven monitoring platform for smart manufacturing: design architecture and experimental validation: IMS

PurposeThis work aims at proposing a novel Internet of Things (IoT)-based and cloud-assisted monitoring architecture for smart manufacturing systems able to evaluate their overall status and detect eventual anomalies occurring into the production. A novel artificial intelligence (AI) based technique, able to identify the specific anomalous event and the related risk classification for possible intervention, is hence proposed.Design/methodology/approachThe proposed solution is a five-layer scalable and modular platform in Industry 5.0 perspective, where the crucial layer is the Cloud Cyber one. This embeds a novel anomaly detection solution, designed by leveraging control charts, autoencoders (AE) long short-term memory (LSTM) and Fuzzy Inference System (FIS). The proper combination of these methods allows, not only detecting the products defects, but also recognizing their causalities.FindingsThe proposed architecture, experimentally validated on a manufacturing system involved into the production of a solar thermal high-vacuum flat panel, provides to human operators information about anomalous events, where they occur, and crucial information about their risk levels.Practical implicationsThanks to the abnormal risk panel;human operators and business managers are able, not only of remotely visualizing the real-time status of each production parameter, but also to properly face with the eventual anomalous events, only when necessary. This is especially relevant in an emergency situation, such as the COVID-19 pandemic.Originality/valueThe monitoring platform is one of the first attempts in leading modern manufacturing systems toward the Industry 5.0 concept. Indeed, it combines human strengths, IoT technology on machines, cloud-based solutions with AI and zero detect manufacturing strategies in a unified framework so to detect causalities in complex dynamic systems by enabling the possibility of products' waste avoidance.

Applications of Industry 4.0 for Pandemic Responses and Business Continuity: A TOE-DCV Integrated Approach

The fourth industrial revolution, also known as Industry 4.0, covers a broad range of technologies. The applications of Industry 4.0 help in interconnectivity as well as automation process and support seamless operations. Not many studies have taken place to examine how different applications of Industry 4.0 could help in turbulent situations or in crises like COVID-19 pandemic. Thus, there is a research gap. In such background, the aim of this study is to investigate how different applications of Industry 4.0 could help to respond to such turbulent situation and help in business continuity and sustainability of operations. The present study develops a theoretical model combining technology–organization–environment framework and dynamic capability view to examine the role of Industry 4.0 applications for business continuity and sustainability of business operations especially for managing any turbulent situation like COVID-19 pandemic. The theoretical model was validated using partial least square structural equation modeling technique considering 338 respondents from different industries. The study found that there is a greater need to adopt Industry 4.0 applications for managing business operations during any turbulent situation. The study also found that there is a significant moderating impact of corporate governance in adopting Industry 4.0 applications to manage business operations especially during crisis. IEEE

Problems of Regulation and Prospective Development of E-commerce Systems in the Post-coronavirus Era

The article examines the application of e-commerce systems and technologies that have a positive impact on the development of the economy of the post-coronavirus period and the formation of appropriate technical and technological infrastructure for it, as well as promising features and directions of e-commerce. The physical and virtual opportunities created by e-commerce technologies for buyers and sellers are explained. The advantages of e-commerce in the international economic space have been identified. The functions of e-business models in accordance with the commercial stages of enterprises are explained. It was noted that the development of ICT has accelerated the process of transition from traditional commerce to e-commerce, led to the emergence of new global trends in e-commerce. These innovations have raised the issue of the application of modern ICT in the development of e-commerce on the platform of the 4.0 Industrial Revolution. Taking into account these factors, the presented article discusses the application of modern technologies in e-commerce systems, such as 3D modeling, the Internet of Things, artificial intelligence, big data. Features of application and regulation mechanisms of E-commerce systems in real economic sectors, which have a direct stimulating effect on economic growth in Azerbaijan, have been studied. Recommendations were given for the modernization and use of e-commerce systems with the application of the latest ICT technologies.The purpose of the research. The main goal of the scientific research carried out in the article was to develop the scientific-methodological basis for the regulation of the application of e-commerce systems and the study of perspective development problems in the so-called post-coronavirus period after 2020. In the article, attention was paid to the problems of regulation of the application of e-commerce systems and the development of recommendations on increasing the efficiency of prospective development directions.Taking into account the characteristics of the relevant electronic business models, applying them in accordance with the commercial stages of the enterprises' activities and obtaining effective results were among the main goals. Attempts have been made to implement e-commerce systems based on the developing technologies of the Industry 4.0 platform. An attempt was made to solve the issue of using modern ICT in the development of trade processes, which corresponds to the 4.0 Industrial revolution platform. The main stages of application of modern technologies such as 3D modeling, the Internet of Things, artificial intelligence, and Big Data in electronic commerce systems are described.The following are included among the goals of the conducted scientific research: investigation of the application features and regulation mechanisms of e-commerce systems that have a stimulating effect on the economic development of Azerbaijan in real economic sectors, development of recommendations on increasing the efficiency of electronic commerce systems using modern ICT technologies, etc.Research methods used. In the post-coronavirus period, the following research methods were used in the study of the problems of regulation of the application of e-commerce systems and prospective development directions and in the development of their scientific and methodological bases: a systematic analysis, correlation, and regression analysis, mathematical and econometric modeling methods, expert evaluation method, measurement theory, algorithmization, ICT tools, and technologies, etc.Achievements of the author. Achievements of the author. In the so-called post-coronavirus period after 2020, a special approach was taken to the application of e-commerce systems and technologies, which have a positive impact on the development of the economy as an innovative element, and to the study of its prospective development features and directions. By providing scientific support to ensure the effective formation of the digital economy and its sustainability, the researcher offered relev nt recommendations to achieve the solution to some of the goals set before the country. It should be noted that the development of e-commerce systems based on technologies relevant to the Industry 4.0 platform can give a serious impetus to the development of the sustainability of the digital economy.Due to the fact that e-commerce technologies create new additional physical and virtual opportunities for buyers and sellers, the scientific-methodological approaches proposed by the author develop them as a special tool for ensuring the stability of both e-commerce systems and the digital economy in general. The proposals presented will lead to more effective results for the economy to be more cyber resilient through the application of e-commerce systems in the so-called post-coronavirus era. The researcher showed that the effective application of electronic business models in the activities of enterprises can help to achieve effective results. In the development of e-commerce, solutions to the issues of application of 4.0 Industrial technologies such as 3D modeling, Internet of Things, artificial intelligence, and Big Data can be considered as a contribution to the investigation of solutions to existing problems in economic development. For this reason, the means and mechanisms proposed by the author for solving the problems of regulation of the application of e-commerce systems in the post-coronavirus era can be considered one of the main ways to ensure the stability and development of the digital economy.

The New Normal: Managing Virtual Work From a Human Resources Perspective

Human Resources jobs are becoming more and more challenging as the work dynamics are changing during the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR). The processes of organisations have improved, and machines have become more complicated, but the basic principles of organisational processes remain the same (Wang et al., Appl Psychol 70(1):16–59, 2021). In contrast, Human Resources is about dealing with people who are constantly changing in terms of behaviour, habits, thinking, or according to their circumstances, albeit personal or professional (Hembrom, HR Future:32–33, 2020). This makes organisational processes more difficult because, while managing and understanding people, their state of mind is more important when communicating with them (Bui, The roles of leaders in virtual working environment, 2020). Talking to people in person, Human Resources managers can view body language, facial expressions of the employee, among others, which is helpful during communication. However, with the COVID-19 pandemic where the workforce is mostly working virtually from home the situation is a bit more complicated. The turn of events in the 4IR during the COVID-19 pandemic has not been very encouraging for organisations and business being slow and layoffs across the world have brought new Human Resources challenges (Richter, Int J Inf Manage 55:102–107, 2020;Rosario, HR Future 2020(10):34–35, 2020). It could be contemplated that it is easier to communicate without paying attention to emotions. However, the impact it has on the employees and their families is immense. Human Resources, known for its empathetic attitude, understanding nature, for offering solace and support to the employees, is now no more than a robot, delivering messages without any feelings by Zoom or WhatsApp, based on a decision taken by the organisation. The aim of this chapter is to conceptualise a new dimension of Human Resources, where a change in strategy is required to manage virtual work in the ‘new normal'. Organisations may never return to the old ways of working. There might be a mix of both office and virtual work. For organisations that prefer to return to the ‘old normal' and do not allow for more flexible and virtual working practices, there is a very real risk that top talent will go elsewhere (Hubbard, Finweek, p 10. www.fin24.com/finweek, 2020;Waizenegger et al., Eur J Inf Syst 29(4):429–442, 2020). © The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2022.

Mission as ‘being with' in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic in South Africa

This research investigated the impact measures (such as lockdowns) used to combat the spread of the coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) have on the church's mission. When people face travel and assembly restrictions, the church as a community of witnesses testifying and participating in Christ's work risks is being neutralised, and its presence weakened. What then does mission as ‘ being with ' look like in these situations? Is faithful presence something one can turn on and off at will depending on the situation? If faithful presence was no more, what then was the impact of such absence on the church's mission? These questions underscore the relevance of this research which sought to ascertain the impact the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown had on the church's mission. The crucial area this research sought to explore are the lessons from the COVID-19 lockdown that will help the church prepare for future pandemics which scientists say are inevitable. The research made use of a qualitative interview method to discover the meaning of ‘ being with' in the context of the COVID-19 lockdown. The results revealed six attributes of a missional church. Based on these attributes, the research recommends a seven-step process to prepare the church for possible future pandemics. Contribution: This research has provided the church with an opportunity to shift from being ‘inward-looking' to a church that is community focused, a church that prepares, trains and equips its adherents for the work of ministry in their own communities such that the work of ministry continues with or without gatherings.

Evolution of the Human Role in Manufacturing Systems: On the Route from Digitalization and Cybernation to Cognitization

Modern society is living at a time of revolutionary changes in all areas of human life. For example, the field of industrial manufacturing has greatly influenced the role of human beings during the past 30 years. Modern manufacturing systems are in a phase of transition, in accordance with the concept of the fourth industrial revolution (Industry 4.0). A new manufacturing paradigm based on the principles of Industry 4.0 is presented by Smart Manufacturing Systems (SMS). A basic building block of SMS is cyber-physical production systems (CPPS), which together with innovative-management principles of emergence, self-organization, learning, open innovation, collaboration and the networking of people and organizations are the key principles of Industry 4.0. The three key enablers of Industry 4.0, i.e., the connectivity, the digitization and the cybernation of work processes in manufacturing systems, have paved the way for a new industrial revolution, i.e., Industry 5.0 concept that is bringing about a new paradigm in the field of manufacturing systems, the so-called Adaptive Cognitive Manufacturing Systems (ACMS). A fundamental building block of ACMS is the new generation of manufacturing systems called Cognitive Cyber-Physical Production Systems (C-CPPS), which are based on CPPS concepts and incorporate cognitive technologies and artificial intelligence. This paper presents the revolutionary development of manufacturing and manufacturing systems through the industrial revolutions and the evolution of the role of humans in manufacturing systems towards Industry 5.0.

Working Remotely in the New Normal: Towards a Conceptual Framework for Managing Employee Well-Being

The world of work is currently undergoing a revolution that will fundamentally change the way we live, work and relate to one another. Accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, the new normal compels organisations to move to digital modes which allow for remote work. HR scholars anticipate that the future will see more remote-friendly and digital work norms, which will influence employees' well-being. The question is, how should HR professionals manage employee well-being in the new normal? The purpose of this chapter is to contribute towards a conceptual framework for managing the well-being of knowledge workers in the new normal. It was achieved by conducting a systematic review of the existing literature on remote work, its effect on the well-being of knowledge workers and HR initiatives that organisations could adopt to organise and manage remote work in the future. The author anticipates that the conceptual framework will assist HR professionals in developing digital wellness interventions to manage the well-being of remote workers. © The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2022.

The promise and challenges of the fourth industrial revolution (4IR)

The fourth Industrial Revolution is upon us. Yet not many students understand its evolution or impacts. This teaching case looks at socio-technical evolution from 1IR (First Industrial Revolution) to 4IR (Fourth Industrial Revolution). The teaching case concludes by exemplifying 4IR's promises and perils with a mini case on how 4IR that quietly helped the COVID-19 vaccine development can also pose cyberthreats and erode privacy. AD -, Kent, OH, USA;, Johannesburg, South Africa ;, Kent, OH, USA;, Johannesburg, South Africa

Innovative Technology in Higher Education: Opportunities and Challenges

The rapid rate of technological progress has been a critical aspect of Human History since the advent of the Industrial Revolution. Information Technology has enabled a large amount of flow of Information, ideas, thoughts, goods, and services across the region in a very short time. Higher education is a field that determines the average productivity of Labour, level of innovation, citizenship, and humane qualities in society. Some thinkers contend that the use of Information Technology is highly harmful while some dream of a technological utopia. The paper puts forward the view that reality is situated between extreme viewpoints. This paper discusses the potential of innovative technology in ensuring vast access to data among students;improving the knowledge of students regarding wise use of the Internet;increasing the interaction between teachers and students through Online Platforms;creating scope for greater flexibility as demanded by New Education Policy;increasing the interest of students through the use of Audio-Visual Technology and facilitating education even in times of Corona Pandemic. The paper also brings to light the challenges and limitations in using innovative technology is like a mirage of data reductionism;the paucity of emotional dividends of education;lack of face-to-face interactions among students and teachers;the probability of data banks becoming so static as to be unable to deal with transformations across disciplines, and prejudice against past achievements. Finally, the paper points out that as machines cannot substitute Humanity, Teaching equipment cannot replace the teacher.

Readiness for the Fourth Industrial Revolution

This chapter explored the readiness of a South African university to take part in the fourth industrial revolution by exploring the experiences of students in science and technology on the impact of COVID-19 in the learning of their practical modules. Guided by two research questions, namely how the COVID-19 has impacted students' engagement with their practical modules and students' readiness to learn remotely and carry out the practical aspects of their modules, the chapter employ a qualitative case study approach to explore the views of students that offer courses that involve practical. Seven fourth-year students were purposively selected as study sample. Data were generated online using Google forms and were analysed thematically. The chapter was framed using the technology acceptance model. Findings revealed the following: ease and clarity of concept, lack of interaction with others, lack of motivation, lack of access to ICT facilities, lack of relevant materials to execute practical tasks, and lack of conducive learning environment. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)