Despite the growing expectation on corporate Learning & Development (L&D) units to transform practices and roles and take a more strategic role to better meet the needs of lifelong learning and up- and reskilling in organizations, many fail to use technology such as Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) platforms that could support the shift. The aim of this study is to provide a better understanding of why those in L&D who are using MOOC platforms do so and what impact it has on the role of L&D. Empirical data from in-depth interviews with six L&D professionals, with extensive experience from large, global companies, has been employed in this exploratory research. The analysis imply a situation in which MOOC platforms, when used in organizations where employee language, literacy and digital devices are not a limitation, can support in meeting the needs of lifelong learning and up- and reskilling in ways not possible with traditional L&D practices. The findings also indicate that while L&D units in large, global organizations can transform traditional practices and roles and contribute strategically, with the support of MOOC platforms, they struggle to make full use of the platforms due to lack of prioritization in the organization. This could inhibit L&D to fully take on a strategic role. Previous research has not explored the impact and possibilities the use of MOOC platforms can have specifically on the L&D role. The findings provide a novel contribution to L&D research as well as input to professionals in L&D or Human Resource, business leaders, organizational developers and MOOC platform providers in decisions connected to digitalization of corporate learning.

The educational system is going through a rapid shift towards digital learning, a phenomenon happening all over the world. This thesis examines the possibilities and conditions for digital learning amongst primary school children living in the township Kayamandi in Stellenbosch, South Africa. The project was carried out as a case study and has used a focused ethnographic approach. The objective was to conduct an explorative study of digital learning in a smaller township and to provide an understanding of the educational system, technology adoption in schools and among children, children's and teachers' digital literacy, and what opportunities for digital learning exist today. Three Kayamandi schools in Stellenbosch have been visited for observation: Kayamandi Primary School, Ikaya Primary School, and A.F. Louw Primary School. In addition, interviews have been conducted with different stakeholders within education, as well as focus groups and a survey with the children. Among the findings this master’s thesis shows that a digitalisation is ongoing but that there is an uneven accessibility to digital technologies and data which could be tackled with a tailored digital strategy. This study also notes on positive effects from using edtech programs and indicates that personalised learning and gamification might be key to success for digital learning in a township. A preliminary conclusion is that there are possibilities for digital learning, but the conditions are complex and various contextual factors need to be addressed in a collective and mindful manner. / Utbildningssystemet går igenom en snabb förändring mot digitalt lärande, ett fenomen som händer över hela världen. Denna avhandling undersöker möjligheterna och förutsättningarna för digitalt lärande bland grundskolebarn som bor i kåkstaden Kayamandi i Stellenbosch, Sydafrika. Projektet utfördes som en fallstudie och har använt ett fokuserat etnografiskt tillvägagångssätt. Målet var att genomföra en explorativ studie av digitalt lärande i en mindre kåkstad och att ge en förståelse för utbildningssystemet, teknikanvändningen i skolorna och bland barnen, barnens och lärarnas digitala kunskaper och, vilka möjligheter till digitalt lärande som finns idag. Tre Kayamandi-grundskolor i Stellenbosch har besökts för observation: Kayamandi Primary School, Ikaya Primary School och A.F. Louw Primary School. Dessutom har intervjuer genomförts med olika intressenter inom utbildning, samt fokusgrupper och en enkät med barnen. Bland resultaten visar denna masteruppsats att en digitalisering pågår men att det finns en ojämn tillgänglighet till digital teknik och internet som skulle kunna hanteras genom en skräddarsydd digital strategi. Denna studie noterar också positiva effekter av att använda edtech-program och indikerar att personligt lärande och spelifiering (gamification) kan vara nyckeln till framgång för digitalt lärande i en kåkstad. En preliminär slutsats är att det finns möjligheter för digitalt lärande, men förutsättningarna är komplexa och olika kontextuella faktorer behöver hanteras på ett kollektivt och medvetet sätt.