About the Journal

Focus and Scope

Qwerty is the commonly accepted name for the computer keyboard, comprising the first six letters of its top row. When typewriters were first introduced, the keys were arranged in alphabetical order. However this order meant that people typed too quickly such that the keys soon became entangled. To counter this, the keys were displayed in random order and typing speeds accordingly slowed down. In later years, despite the fact that the problem of speed had been completely overcome, the keyboard retained its random order. In our view, this represents an excellent metaphor for the entanglement of culture and technological tools.

In actual fact, we regard computer-based technologies as cultural artefacts, representing different depths in the daily work and study activity of individuals, social groups, and institutions. We believe that different models of computer use and activity within online environments mediate social interaction. As such, the relationship between culture and technological tools is becoming more and more complex and now provides an opportunity for determining new models of cognitive, psychological, and social interaction. Qwerty hopes to be a place where such issues can be discussed and developed.

The journal arises from a growing awareness of the need to develop research and reflection on the impact, effects and nature of technology use and, as such, is intended to be a genuinely cross-disciplinary forum.

Qwerty wishes to provide a forum for discussion on the use of new technologies aimed at anyone interested in the use of technology in such fields as education, training, social and university research, including the cultural, social, pedagogical, psychological, economic, professional, ethical and aesthetical aspects of technology use.

The journal is a publication of the CKBG, an organisation that boasts of a wide reputation within Italy, in addition to a variety of co-operative alliances at international level.

The journal is published bi-annually by Progedit in Italian, French and English, and provides set guidelines for authors.

Peer Review Process

Qwerty is a peer reviewed journal published bi-annually by Progedit in Italian, French and English (see the issues' archive), and provides set guidelines for authors.

Each manuscript will be blind reviewed by at least two experts reviewers.

Accepted articles may concern research, reviews, educational experiences and practices, theory on topics such as:

  • theories and models on the use of new technologies in training contexts;
  • online training environment;
  • learning models on the net;
  • distance learning, e-learning, blended e-learning;
  • analysis protocols for web forum interactions;
  • methods of qualitative and quantitative analysis in the learning environment experimentation;
  • intersubjectivity on the net;
  • technology to support collaborative projects amongst schools;
  • collaborative learning through and in online environments;
  • social and communicational aspects of the net;
  • digital identities;
  • virtual reality;
  • artefacts within activity systems;
  • new genres of communication and texts produced by technology;
  • psychological, semiotic, educational and social aspects of technology innovation;
  • technology to preserve and valorise the cultural patrimony;
  • new media;
  • e off-line effects of online interactions and activities.

Other related topics will be also welcomed.

Indexing

Fascia A - Anvur
SCOPUS Cite score 2.6
Emerging Sources Citation Index Web Of Sciences
Reuters IF 1.3

Scimago Cultural Studies  Q2 
Finnish Publication Forum JUFO - Level 0
Norwegian Register for Scientific Journals, Series and Publishers - Level 1
Bibliometriske Forskningsindicator Denmark (BFI), IT and humanities (19)

Nanyang Technological University (NTU) Library in Singapore

Sponsors

The journal is an organ of the CKBG Association which already boasts a remarkable activity in the national territory as well as a close collaboration with the research group directed by Marlene Scardamalia and Carl Bereiter (University of Toronto).