The increasing ubiquity of digital technologies in the twenty-first century has led to calls for education reform focused on digital literacy, but what exactly does this term mean? The concept of digital literacy has evolved much since its evolution from media and new literacies scholarship, resulting in a myriad of definitions. Previous attempts…

The valorization of skills in English higher education policy-making is a long-standing refrain, informing both rhetoric and investment from government and shaping university behaviour. Critiques of the 'skills agenda' are equally established, on grounds of its contested evidence base, manner of implementation and even its very definition. This…

In recent years, vocational education reform has become an issue of common concern for the government, academia, and the education sector, as the difficulty in finding employment for Chinese university students and the labor shortage of senior technical personnel continue to intensify. This study conducted a systematic review of the literature on…

Over the past decade and a half, skill development has assumed critical importance in India's policy discourse. In this context, in 2016, a German inspired vocational training programme called Dual System of Training was adopted by the Indian government to ensure a judicious balance of classroom learning and on-the-job training for young people.…

This study conducts an exploratory and integrative literature review to investigate the discourse on various concepts and terms related to the green alignment of vocational education and training (VET). The study focuses on the key actors setting the discourse, the content within it and the regional contexts in which the discourse occurs. A review…

Skill development is the key instrument for achieving the target of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 8 in developing countries. The development of human capital in India is of global importance, given the prospects of India being the fastest growing economy of the world and poised to be the country with the largest working-age population in the…

Media and Information Literacy (MIL) is one of the most important issues in today's mediatized world. Under the leadership of UNESCO, many international organizations in the world, as foreign donors, annually announce many projects and grants for the promotion and development of the field of MIL in the countries of the world. One of the main…

The Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) is transforming global education, posing significant challenges and opportunities for higher education in South Africa. This revolution is driving a shift in teaching methodologies, curriculum design, and the integration of advanced technologies. This study systematically investigates how South Africa's…

Micro-credentials (MCs) have emerged as a transformative tool in education and workforce development, offering flexible, targeted learning opportunities that align with the principles of lifelong learning. This paper presents the findings of a survey conducted among stakeholders in the Commonwealth Caribbean in a baseline study to gauge their…

Informed by the capability approach and critical discourse analysis, this article examines how the development of green skills among master craftspersons and apprentices in the informal sector of Ghana could be promoted for cleaner production and sustainable futures. The findings show that inequality and poverty; cyclical policy trap; sectoral…

This paper represents the latest in a line of papers and think pieces that the author has prepared on this topic -- for the UK government, the UK Skills and Productivity Board, and the Scottish Government and Scottish Funding Council -- since 2014. It seeks to explain why trying to bring skills supply into closer alignment with demand for skills…

Although there is no globally accepted definition to guide micro-credential activity in higher education, many seek to boost the employability prospects of earners. To do this well, micro-credentials need to indicate skills and competencies. Assessment ensures those skills and competencies are verified, enabling trust and communication in the…

This review provides a critical assessment of Personal Learning Environments (PLEs) and personalized learning within formal education by juxtaposing their beneficial effects against the potential issues that could impede their effective use. Through meticulous screening and reviewing procedures, 53 articles were thematically analyzed and the main…

This article offers a semester-long approach to using generative AI in the public-speaking course. Using critical communication pedagogy, the authors provide practices to navigate the turbulence that has followed the emergence of publicly available generative AI tools. These tools have received negative attention because of their potential to…

This paper provides an overview of a needs assessment study conducted in higher education to address the impact of generative AI, specifically ChatGPT, on faculty development and instructional strategies. The study acknowledges the disruptive effect of AI on academia and the varying responses from faculty members. It emphasizes the importance of…