l Guest Editors
Guest Editor 1: Prof. Xiaofei Xu
Affiliation: Faculty of Computing, Harbin Institute of Technology, China
Email: xiaofei@hit.edu.cn
Guest Editor 2: Prof. John Impagliazzo
Affiliation: Department of Computer Science, Hofstra University, USA
Email: cscjzi@hofstra.edu
l General Information
With the influence of generative AI in recent years, MOOCs are rapidly transforming into smart MOOCs. The forms and teaching models of smart MOOCs are focused by the people, and have a profound impact on future schools, future classrooms, future teachers, and future teaching. People have made preliminary explorations, and produced many research results and teaching experiences on smart MOOCs and teaching reform, but there are still many issues worth discussing. Smart MOOC is a new form of open online courses that integrates intelligent technologies, such as AI, metaverse, and Big Data, on upgrading traditional MOOCs to adapt to the needs and experiences of smart education and mass customized learning. In the process of the evolution and development of smart MOOCs, there will be a variety of course forms, such as DMOOCs (digital-human-based MOOCs), IMOOCs (intelligent and interactive MOOCs), AMOOCs (agent-based MOOCs), VMOOCs (virtual-reality-based MOOCs), and OMCs (open metaverse courses). This special issue would like to expound the concepts, characteristics, forms, course construction, and teaching modes of smart MOOCs empowered by generative AI from multiple perspectives, which plays a demonstration role in the development of smart MOOCs, and has a leading impact on the development of smart education, future classrooms, future teachers, and future teaching.
Important Dates
l Manuscript submission open date: April 1st, 2026
l Manuscript submission deadline: August 31st, 2026
l Publication date: March 31st, 2027
Submission Instructions
Frontiers of Digital Education is an international academic journal, aiming at reflecting the dynamic trends in digital education policies, academic frontiers, and research hotspots from various countries. The journal explores key issues and challenges in digital education and technological innovation, establishing a distinctive platform for the dissemination and communication of significant achievements in digital education. This journal is dedicated to the contribution of the advancement of digital education.
The submission platform ScholarOne Manuscripts at http://mc.manuscriptcentral.com/fde is now available for receiving submissions to this special issue. Please refer to the submission guidelines at https://www.springer.com/journal/44366/submission-guidelines to prepare your manuscript.
When submitting a manuscript via ScholarOne Manuscripts, under the question “Is this paper submitted to a special issue?”, answer “Yes”, and select the special issue “AI-Empowered Smart MOOCs.”
All submissions deemed suitable to be sent for peer review will be reviewed by at least two independent reviewers. We sincerely invite you to submit your original work to this special issue and are looking forward to sharing your outstanding research outcomes with the peers around the world.
The submitted papers should not have been previously published nor be currently under consideration for publication elsewhere. All papers are refereed through a peer review process. For more information, please visit http://link.springer.com/journal/44366.
Highlights of the Journal
l Peer review period: 1 month
l Publication: CAP, Hybrid (Subscription and OA)
l From acceptance to publication (currently): < 2 months
l Frequency of publication: Quarterly
l Fees: No page charges, no page limitation
Questions regarding the special issue
Please direct any questions regarding the special issue to Prof. Xiaofei XU (xiaofei@hit.edu.cn) or the editorial office (fde@hep.com.cn).