Emerging Technologies (ETs) in Education: A Systematic Review of the Literature Published between 2006 and 2016

Abstract

This study systematically reviews, classifies and synthesizes the research related to Emerging Technologies (ETs) in the field of formal education between 2006 and 2016, aiming to identify areas of uncertainty for future research. In addition, this study is a tool to guide teachers in their decision making when incorporating technologies in the classroom. The research approach was mixed and it analyzed 288 studies that met the inclusion criteria. Results show that all the studies aimed to improve and to transform the different educational processes through the incorporation of ETs. The most used methodology was qualitative research; the survey was the most widely used instrument; the most affected population was the students in the context of higher education; the competences to improve was critical thinking, followed by problem solving, collaborative work, creative thinking, and decision-making. Emerging Technologies (ETs) are contextual, adaptable, evolving, ubiquitous, disruptive, innovative, complementary and generate a degree of uncertainty, they can be complex, accessible, functional, easy to use, interactive and it found that Web 2.0 technologies are the most used in the studies.