Technology, Knowledge, & Society International Award for Excellence

The International Journal of Technology, Knowledge, and Society offers an annual award for newly published research or thinking that has been recognized to be outstanding by members of the Technology, Knowledge & Society Research Network.

Award Winner for Volume 20

Pedagogical Affordances of Physics Education Technology in Teaching and Learning: A Systematic Review

This systematic review investigates the pedagogical affordances of Physics Education Technology (PhET) simulations in the context of teaching and learning physics. Specifically, it seeks to synthesize findings from peer-reviewed studies to understand how PhET simulations can enhance educational outcomes in physics education. The review reveals that PhET simulations provide several key pedagogical affordances that positively impact physics education. These include enhancement of conceptual understanding, promotion of interactive engagement, and support for inquiry-based learning. While the benefits of PhET simulations are significant, the review also identifies some limitations, such as the reliance on the instructor’s proficiency to effectively integrate these tools into lessons and the need to complement simulations with hands-on experiments to reinforce learning. The findings of this systematic review underscore the substantial potential of PhET simulations to enhance physics education by improving conceptual understanding, promoting interactive engagement, and supporting inquiry-based learning. Despite some limitations, PhET simulations offer a valuable resource for physics educators. Future research should focus on strategies to optimize the integration of PhET in diverse learning environments and explore ways to enhance instructor training to maximize the effectiveness of these simulations.

Past Award Winners

Volume 19

Deepfake, or Provisional Signs Marked by the Presence of Nonpresence

Stan Harrison The International Journal of Technology, Knowledge, and Society, Volume 19, Issue 2, pp. 1-26


Volume 18

Applications of Artificial Intelligence in Achieving Development Goals

Kent Neuerburg The International Journal of Technology, Knowledge, and Society, Volume 18, Issue 1, pp. 35-47


Volume 17

Our Pandemic 2021 Versus 1984—Technology, Interconnectedness, and Social Ineptitude: A Case of History Repeating Itself

Jytte Holmqvist, The International Journal of Technology, Knowledge, and Society, Volume 18, Issue 1, pp. 13-22


Volume 16

Opportunities and Threats of the Fourth Industrial Revolution on the Quantity Surveying Profession in South Africa

Josephine Llale, David Root, and Paulin Wembe, The International Journal of Technology, Knowledge, and Society, Volume 16, Issue 3, pp. 35-45.


Volume 14

Exploring Machine Learning’s Contributions to Economic Productivity and Innovation.

Christopher Alex Hooton and Davin Kaing, The International Journal of Technology, Knowledge, and Society, Volume 14, Issue 3, pp. 1-25.


Volume 13

Cyber-infrastructure and the Right to the City

Shannon Jackson, The International Journal of Technology, Knowledge, and Society, Volume 13, Issue 1, pp. 27-40.


Volume 12

Tech in Europe: Cultural Reboot

Peter DePietro, Journal of Technologies in Society Volume 12, Issue 2, pp. 21-30.



Volume 11

How Ageism Contributes to the Second-Level Digital Divide: The Case of Canadian Seniors

Martine Lagacé, Houssein Charmarkeh, Joelle Laplante, Annick Tanguay, Journal of Technologies and Human Usability , Volume 11, Issue 4, pp. 1-13.


Volume 10

Story Telling and the Dissolution of Categories

Ellen McCabe, The International Journal of Technology, Knowledge, and Society: Annual Review, Volume 10, Issue 1, pp.15-23


Volume 9

State Parties 2.0: Facebook, Campaigns, and Elections

Marija Bekafigo, Diana Cohen, Jason Gainous, and Kevin Wagner, The International Journal of Technology, Knowledge, and Society, Volume 9, Issue 1, pp.99-112


Volume 8

The Collaborative-geomatics Informatics Tool: Engaging Youth Using Place-based Education

Andrea D. Isogai, Dr. Daniel D. McCarthy, Jim D. Karagatzides, Skye Vandenberg, Holly Gardner, Vicky Edwards, Dr. Don Cowan, and Dr. Leonard J. S. Tsuji, The International Journal of Technology, Knowledge, and Society, Volume 8, Issue 1, pp.131-142


Volume 7

The (Broken?) Promise of Digital Democracy: An Early Assessment

John Branstetter, The International Journal of Technology, Knowledge, and Society, Volume 7, Issue 3, pp.151-162


Volume 6

Threadbearers: The Disseminators of Technology

Charles Harding, The International Journal of Technology, Knowledge, and Society, Volume 6, Issue 2, pp.141-150


Volume 5

Modern Time: Photography and Temporality

Kris Belden-Adams, The International Journal of Technology, Knowledge, and Society, Volume 5, Issue 3, pp.25-42