A new year is upon us and thus we should take time to examine some of the potential changes that the year 2010 will bring. Examining potential changes is important because technology is in a constant state of change and so are the lives of those involved with instructional technology. Although this blog post will not attempt to take on all the predicted changes in instructional technology for the year 2010, this post will examine three 2010 predictions I agree with and three that I do not.
I Agree With….
At the beginning of this year, staff members and contributors to eLearn Magazine each described some of their predictions for the year 2010. The first prediction that I agreed with was from Stephen Downes who predicts that the demand for online learning will increase from both the private sector and traditional institutions. I agree with this prediction because the current economic crisis and job situation will compel citizens to take on new positions and roles, requiring them to learn new knowledge and skills. I also agree with Mark Notess’ assessment that higher education institutions will make greater movements towards open source solutions. I agree with Mr. Notess because the economy is forcing many higher education institutions to cut costs wherever they can and because open source options are becoming more accepted and understood by the technological community. Finally, I agree with Jim Hendler’s prediction that the technology gap between students and teachers will continue to expand and widen. I agree with Mr. Hendler because student’s technological exposure and experience continues to grow while many teachers technology learning remains stagnant or does not increase at the rate in which new technologies are developed.
I Don’t Agree With…
From the same eLearn Magazine article, I do not agree with Roger Schank’s prediction that mobile e-learning will go away. I believe that as mobile technologies increase, so will opportunities to learn from mobile devices. I believe that just-in-time learning will become a major form of e-learning on mobile devices. I also do not agree with Hend S. Al-Khalifa’s prediction that portable devices like Smart phones and Nintendo DS systems will make their way into traditional classrooms. I do believe that learning opportunities will increase on devices like these; however, to be implemented into the classroom there would need to be more teachers willing to teach using these devices. I do not think that many teachers are ready to make this leap yet. The final prediction I do not agree with comes from Ignatia Webs. I do not agree with the prediction that pedagogy will overtake technologies role as front and center of innovative learning. I believe that pedagogy should become the primary focus of innovative learning, however technology still offers so much motivation and interest that technology will remain in its central role.
Guest blogger: Jeremy Larson is a 7th and 8th grade American History teacher at Grace- St. Luke’s Episcopal School in Memphis, TN. He received his Bachelors degree in Elementary Education (K-8) at St. Cloud State University in St. Cloud, MN. While at SCSU, Jeremy also received specialties in Instructional Technology and Social Studies Education. Jeremy is currently working towards his Masters degree in Instructional Design and Technology at the University of Memphis. He is interested in K-12 technology integration and helping school districts bring technology into the classroom.
Image courtesy of iLounge at http://www.flickr.com/photos/ipodlounger/4310067280/
Here are some previous posts that you may be interested in:
Jeremy, I absolutely agree that we will continue to see growth in online learning. I do have a different perception of the technology skills possessed by teachers and students. In my work with college faculty, it seems that many are receptive to learning new technologies and implementing technology into their courses. On the other hand, students who are assumed to be “tech savvy”, don’t seem to have a good working knowledge or understanding of using technology to create presentations which include multimedia or using a wiki to host their ePortfolio online…just to give a couple of examples. They do know how to text, listen to music on their iPod, and download cheat codes for PlayStation games…but they seem to be lacking in technology skills that will assist them in their educational pursuits or professional lives.
Maybe my perception is limited to the select group of faculty and students I’ve had the opportunity to work with. I look forward to hearing other people’s thoughts on this topic.
Jeremy – Thanks for a great and thought provoking post!
Jeremy,
I really liked your take on likes and dislikes on the predictions. I was about to agree with you on the gap in technology skills between the digital natives (students) and digital immigrants(teachers) but then I read Kristy’s reply. She makes a great point in differentiating between being tech savvy and knowing how to use technology for learning. Willing teachers might still have the advantage over students on this one. As for mobile learning, its wave is coming no doubt, but again, with the plethora of tools that evolve almost on daily basis, the challenge becomes on determining the what, how, when and why.
Thanks for the great thoughts.
Jeremy, in response to the suggested ever-increasing gap between students and teachers, I’d like to add a brief thought: we’re all thinking about the teachers and students of ‘today’; but in the years to come the teachers will be those who grew up in the technology-enfused period. As these teachers take their place they will be deeply steeped in technology and will probably keep pace in their skill growth. Hence, if we’ll just give it a little time, I suspect that the gap will narrow instead.
Kristy’s comment was extremely important as well. I do agree that some of the skills that the young adults are mastering are of the entertainment/social nature. But it is amazing how quickly students are able to pick up new technology. If you don’t know how to program your phone, just hand it to an 11-year-old. The skills they learn are quickly applied to other forms–they are creating web sites, uploading photos, creating videos, etc.
So just to throw a more philosophical slant on the topic, as we become increasingly more dependent and involved in technological capabilities, is that best for us as ‘humanity’? What about the value of reading a book from cover to cover (no bullets); what about social skills–in person?
Ah, the prediction debate! First, great article Jeremy and thanks for narrowing it down to just three likes and dislikes
This is a very interesting subject and one I enjoy debating. Mostly because there are many variables present between education and the workforce. Where one prediciton may prove true in one, it may prove false in the other.
In summary, I broke down my comments as follows and indicated my agreement with these predicitions.
YOU AGREE
1. On-line learning demand will increase from both the private sector and tradtional institutions.
I AGREE. We’ve seen the increase in demand for on-line learning ever since the first digital flash cards. Not only is it more cost effective to produce and publish than a traditional classroom, a couple new industries have been created because of it – LMS providers, custom eLearning development companies, and rapid development software companies. The first decaded of this century showed a paradigm shift in how we educate, train, and entertain…all on-line.
2. Forciing higher institutions to cut costs and move toward more open source solutions
I AGREE. Not only higher institutions but also the workforce is trimming the budget and practicing a culture of thrift. In addition, on-line learning/training is proving more efficient especially with technology supporting synchronous learning events.
3. Technology gap between students and teachers.
I AGREE. Kristy makes a valid observation. My own experience is with my son who is 21 years old. He can play X-Box, text his friends, and update his Facebook page at the same time. Ask him to build a chart in Excel, write a resume, or put together a presentation of his favorite video games – he’s lost. The same has to be said about teachers who have been teaching for a number of years and are set in their ways. They are unwilling to accept and/or change to new methods as much as the younger generation is going in the opposite direction.
YOU DISAGREE
1. Mobile learning will go away.
I AGREE. I disagree with you on this one coming from a workforce perspective. Mobile learning in the workforce was all the buzz in 2007-2008. It quickly came and went from a wide scale usage. Mostly due to logistics and the additional technology needed in WiFi or docking the learning progress to a central repository (LMS). However, I still see a glimmer of hope for mobile learning in the social spaces and in informal learning initiatives.
2. Smart phones and gaming consoles will enter the classroom
I AGREE. Eventually, yes. Gaming consoles have already entered the workforce. It’s proven that ‘fun’ learning will attract and hold the attention of a learner more than traditional eLearning. Adults specifially have less of an attention span with their daily work that stopping to take a required on-line learning module must me interactive and engaging or you will lose their interest. Many large corporations are implementing an on-boarding role-playing gaming environment for new hires. As well, many successful educational games are on-line (via independant websites) as well as hand-held devices such as the Nitendo DS. May not be this year, but my prediction is before the end of this decade we will see gaming in the classroom.
3. Pedagoy will overtake technologies role as front and center of innovative learning.
NEUTRAL. In my world, it’s more Andragogy than Pedagogy. Nonetheless, the science and study of learning should always remain the focus and central role. There’s an old saying that no matter what you envision or think of, there’s a technology that can support it. Unfortunately, in the past few years and the exponential growth of new technologies, most see the “shiny new object” and try to shove a learning event into it without regard to the overall objective.
So, I disagree with one of your predicitons and neutral on one. Great article and thanks for allowing me to comment. Apologies for the lengthy comment, but I tend to get passionate about the subject of learning…especially eLearning!
Thanks for all the wonderful posts. I am glad that Kristy brought up the differences between “tech savvy” and using technology for learning. I know many of my students are “tech savvy” but few are able to use technology for their learning. Unfortunately, I think this problem will continue to exist until K-12 educators become more willing and able to teach students how to use technology for learning.
I also found Linda’s post interesting. The thing that I wondered about was the idea of new “technology native” teachers someday replacing our current “technology immigrant” teachers. As much as I would like to think that this may happen naturally (as time progresses), I think that unless a greater emphasis is placed on on-going teacher development, teachers may never “catch-up” technology-wise with their students.
Kevin, thank you for your thoughts and opinions. I can see that this is a topic that you feel passionate about. Do you think that mobile learning will increase as availability to Wi-Fi increases? Do you think that mobile learning will increase as opportunities for teacher/ trainers to build their own apps (or applications) for devices like Smart phones increases?
Jeremy – Mobile learning certainly is victim to the competitive market in Wi-Fi connectivity. Without a lot of knowledge in that area, my assumptions are that its more about the mLearning strategy and how it’s to be delivered rather than who/where a user can get to it.
Ever since the PDA hit the market, educators and trainers have been trying to figure out a way to deliver training on those devices. Especially now with iPhone, tablets, and other SmartPhones. At first it was simply developing an eLearning module to fit on a mobile device, but its much more than that. Usability concerns from one device to the next, Interface design using a pen and now with the iPhone an interace needs to be easy to use with my big fat finger. Jason Nielson’s Alertbox just posted an article on usability design for the iPhone >> http://www.useit.com/alertbox/mobile-apps-initial-use.html.
Having been in the Retail space for some time now, we’ve explored the possibility but we just cant put our finger on the benefits to support a new learning strategy in that direction let alone the cost (hardware, air time, support). I’m not familiar enough with other industries (Healthcare, Education, Transportation, Industrial, etc.) to compare if there’s a need or even a benefit.
The question that always comes to my mind is “why mobile?” Case: A field sales rep goes to the office first thing in the morning. He/she gets up to date on the latest information, organizes sales leads, follows up on calls, makes a plan, and hits the road. While on the road they certainly can’t use a mobile device while driving. Once they arrive at their call, they’re visiting and working to “sell” their product. When do they have time for mobile learning?
mLearning is still very ‘new’ in the sense that the pioneers are still looking at the different learning models that fit best in the various environments. There’s an upcoming conference in June in San Diego appropriately called, ‘mLearnCon’ put on by the eLearning Guild. I’m not going to that one, but I am attending Learning Solutions 2010 in Orlando in March. Judy Brown, co-founder of the ADL Academic Co-Lab at the University of Wisonsin and one of the pioneers in eLearning SCORM standards is having a session titled, “Mobile Learning Today” I plan on attending. Also, Annee Bayeux is presenting a session titled, “Case Study: Mobile Learning in a Corporate Environment.” I’m really interested in this sesson as she describes the same things we’re discussing here. You can read excerpts about Judy’s and Annee’s sessions here >> http://www.learningsolutionsmag.com/concurrent_sessions/?event=59&sele ction=doc.1421. Just look for their names and/or session titles among the others.
To answer your last question, the opportunities are there now. The bigger question is what would motivate a teacher/trainer to develop their own app? There’s an old saying, “When the student is ready, the teacher will always appear.” The teachers today must again become the students. When they make that decision, there’s a wealth of knowledge to learn on the subject.
Moblile Learning in a formal environment still have many challenges to break through. In an informal setting, I see it expanding more as we see in Nitendo’s DS and Playstation’s PSP – both have a library of learning titles and games.
Great conversation!
Jeremy, Thanks for sparking this great discussion with your post. I have enjoyed going through and thinking about the predictions. I mostly agree with you except in the gap between students and teachers on technology use and adoption. I need to side with Linda in this one, not only thinking about the future students and teachers, but for teachers and students today. Using new technologies and using them for learning/teaching is not the same thing. Agreed, today’s 15 years old teenagers have technological skills beyond my level. However, are they using those technologies for learning? In my experience as a college instructor, my students normally find that using some of the new technologies for a course is not easy. The scope of applications of any given new technological development is normally narrowed by the mainstream use of it. On top of that, many teachers are also early adopters. But, always, they do this on “teacher mode” (something like the terminator vision applied to education): they consider new developments under the scope of what their practice is. In that sense, I think teachers are better ready for the integration of new technologies in education/training/instruction. Excellent post, Jeremy.
Wonderful post on Viral Notebook | Michael M. Grant, Ph.D. – and nifty domain by the way!
@ Kevin- Thank you for the great thoughts and the links. You have definitely given me more to think about in terms of mobile learning.
@ Federico- Thanks for your comments. I agree with you that teachers are frequently early adapters. Certainly if there is any population of people that are willing and eager to change, adapt, and integrate new practices it is teachers. : )