A Systematic Mapping Study in Cloud for Educational Innovation

Abstract

For some years now there has been a growing use of cloud computing technologies in education. This paper reports a systematic mapping study (SMS) about the interest in the innovation of methods, techniques, and tools applied to teaching activities based on the use of cloud computing. The SMS presented here was designed using a consolidated, reliable, rigorous methodology and implemented in a replicable and verifiable manner. The process adopted is based on the selection of papers in accredited online digital libraries. This research made it possible to identify and analyze the empirical evidence in relation to the use of cloud computing in education with the aim of identifying both the main topics currently shared by researchers and the less explored areas to be integrated into a research agenda. The results show that only 17% of the 940 works examined report empirical research about the innovation introduced in educational environments of all levels and degrees by the cloud. The results also show that the type of method most widely used was that of feedback. The areas that have attracted the most interest from the research community are those of the new learning environment, collaboration platforms, and virtual laboratories. However, since the same areas are less supported by empirical research than others, we believe that these should be more closely monitored by the scientific community.