tarynshae

The Horizon Report was an interesting read in terms of a short-term look into the future of teaching/learning technologies. While we seem to be aware of many of these technologies, it was interesting to see how one tool, such as the social networking application of Facebook, can serve so many different functions and that there are opportunities for learning in the most unsuspecting places. 

6 key emerging technologies

1. Grassroots video - with so many new devices now being able to both capture and play video, and the accesibility of editing software, the proliferation of video clips and video sharing is enabling learning in creative situations. The use and sharing of video allows anyone global access on almost any device
2. Collaboration webs - virtual collaboration has for some time been a part of many people’s communication tools in the workplace, however now with an increasing amount of software and programs being developed online collaborative learning spaces are beginning to soar. These collaborative learning spaces allow people to share ideas and resources, perform specific taks, socialise and even work together on tasks such as writing a document. This technology is accessible for anyone with access to the internet and dispels all boundaries of team work at a distance
3. Mobile broadband - the recent development of technology and infrastructure to allow mobile broadband access is booming. Mobile phones can now do what laptops used to do, with greater accessibility, smaller in size and more economical, mobiles are now becoming the ultimate mobile networking tool. They have a huge potential for education with almost all students owning a phone and in regular contact with peers. They can at as a colloboration tool by allowing internet access, have storage for a range of documents and software and can even be used remotely for things such as fieldwork
4. Data mashups - a single tool consisting of a range of data from multiple sources and are part of applications and programs such as Facebook, which is why they have increased in popularity. They are also widely used in maps. Mashups are relevant for teaching and learning as they can allow more non-technical users to create products and programs without programming, which will enable students to easily use them in assignments and presentations. The ability of mashups to pull together large amounts of information and data in a managable way will serve as the biggest possibility in the education sphere
5. Collective intelligence -is essentially the knowledge that is embedded within societies or large groups of individuals either in the form of gathered knowledge or intelligence that results from this data or knowledge. such information enables predictions about peoples behaviour. Wikipedia is an example of this collaborative knowledge store operating in real time and being accessed and utilised by millions of people around the world. In terms of learning, collective intelligence can allow students an opportunity to practice the construction of knowledge so that they can not only consume but contribute to this
6. Social operating systems - there has been a shift in the purpose of networking that now focuses on relationships as opposed to file and application sharing. With social operating tools recently emerging, it is easy to see that they will have a huge impace on the way we communicate, interact, work and even learn. Current systems such as mySpace and Facebook are still more about a persons social persona that their work or learning persona, the the opportunity and potential is there for these systems to influence the way we research, share, publish and interact in a learning context

While I have heard of video sharing and editing I am not familiar with it. I have visited the YouTube website only when I have received a direct link to it from a friend, and I was only really made aware of its use and application in learning from our last block class of eLearning Design. While I am not familiar with this technology, I can deifnitely see its potential to serve as an effective learning tool. Collective intelligence, data mashups and collaborative webs I am a little less familiar with, but understand the concept all the same. Mobile broadband is a technological tool I currently use now as is the social networking/sharing site of Facebook. While it is true that currently both of these tools are being used primarily for social reasons, the possibility for teaching and learning content within them is great.

The trend that I most relate to is the way we work, collaborate and communicate is evolving as boundaries become more fluid and globalisation increases. Being able to connect from anywhere to anywhere with anyone is becoming increasingly more common. Online workspaces and social networking tools are two tools that I have personally used in a learning context only recently but have found that in the short space of time that I have been doing so, many more people have and the usability of these tools has increased my involvement with my own learning. Now that I have more open communication channels with not only my peers but with my lecturers also, I feel a lot more connected and involved in my learning experience than I have in the past and this is something that is only going to further enhance my learn