Technology enhanced learning - into another decade

Put some time into catching up with various 'readings' on how technology is moving along and how this will impact education.

Edsurge provides a series of short articles reviewing the past 10 years of technology introduction and use within the education sectors - with a US of A K-12 slant. The overall premise is that is is NOT about the technology but about teachers and human connection. Therefore, technology is the tool, not the destination.

The World Economic Forum provides an overview of the effects of 5G on the world. There has been mixed views on 5G ranging from warnings that the pervasive effects of 5G will lead to poorer health outcomes for people exposed to 5G continually and the 'big brother' possibilities afforded to governments for observation and control of citizens TO the benefits of the Internet of Things (IoT). As usual, there will be a 'balancing out' and some of the hyped up possibilities may never eventuate. For education, 5G brings many possibilities and promises but as with the Edsurge article, it is the human factor which will and should prevail. 

311 Institute provides an overview of smartphones and the future developments over the next 50 years!! 120 pages with some good discussion albeit mainly supporting forward momentum rather than critical take on what may actually occur. The usual promises of 3D printing, AI, blockchain, quantum computing, robotics, synthetic biology and VR are rolled out as drivers informing where smart phones possibilities will go. 3 horizons are proposed for the next 10 years. Then the following decade and a more 'future gazing' 2040-2070 horizon.

Possiblities for 3D printers are summarised in this video including the 'printing' of houses, boats and complex / intricate components. However, plastic is still the key material and environmental concerns around the use of plastics need to be thought through.

As it is, education is still, as always, ,many steps behind the introduction of technology into supporting learning and teaching. Articles in this blog provide a summary of possibilities but also the important need to remember that human learning is founded on sound relationships. Technology may assist the building of relationships and access but is still someway from providing 'authentic' learning environments, especially with regards to vocational education contexts.