Subject: [IFETS-DISCUSSION:966] Characteristics of Landmark Technologies
From: Brent Muirhead (bmuirhead@email.uophx.edu)
Date: Fri 26 Jan 2001 - 03:14:24 MET
From: "Brent Muirhead" <bmuirhead@email.uophx.edu> Subject: [IFETS-DISCUSSION:966] Characteristics of Landmark Technologies Date: Thu, 25 Jan 2001 21:14:24 -0500
Muhammad Betz discussed the exciting potential of "projects like VISION are
the first efforts to construct highly interactive, multimedia oriented,
curriculum content, that could prove to be independent of instructor
intervention and which suggests putting the entire public school curriculum
on-line." As a speaker on distance education, people will ask me what are my
thoughts on where distance education will go in the next 5 or 10 years.
Personally, I think that the multimedia aspect of the Internet will play a
larger role in online instruction. Also, more high school students are
starting to take online classes. Currently, a growing number of Advanced
Placement (AP) students are taking courses to help them prepare for their
tough exams. Muhammad's comments affirm that more educators, political and
business leaders are wanting to play a vital role in shaping the future of
online education.
Joan Cashion who is the Director, TAFE School of Social Sciences, Swinburne
University of Technology Melbourne, Australia related that" I think the most
exciting potential for on-line education is the use of the on-line
technologies to find the best pedagogical learning for all students., The
solution will be different for different students depending on access,
distance, the skills or discipline being learnt and the learning style of
that particular learner." Joan does have concerns that teachers will be
possess the skills and knowledge to effectively utilize the new
instructional technologies. It is a legitimate concern because contemporary
institutions struggle with adopting adequate computer training programs.
Sadly, many American public school systems often invest millions of dollars
in wiring and equipping their schools with the latest computer devices. Yet,
they fail to invest money and personnel in training the teachers in how to
use and integrate computers into their daily instructional plans.
In my research into distance education forecasting, I have found that it is
important not to overemphasis technology. Instead, it is wise to look how
technology can be utilized to truly support and help foster innovative
learning that is socially responsible. Fricker (1997) recommends that the
following three basic guidelines can encourage futuristic technological
accountability: "no innovation without representation; no engineering
without political deliberation [and] no means without ends." (p. 664).
Additionally, it is important to understand the basic characteristics of
landmark technologies to help provide insight into the direction and rate of
technological change. They are considered truly historic technologies when
they are characterized by having (Van Wyk 1997, p. 30):
1. Frequency of appearance in the literature.
2. A very high growth rate in an important technological dimension.
3. Novelty in principle, material, or structure.
4. Commercial availability or promise of rapid deployment.
5. A high linkage to other technologies.
Today's distance educators will need to be given the freedom to experiment
with different technologies that have the potential to increase student
online interactivity. Also, they need administrators who are willing to
invest money into relevant teacher training programs. Finally, virtual
educators have a unique opportunity to be visionary leaders in higher
education by taking risks to promote meaningful adult learning. James (1996,
p. 232) states that "we must be willing to participate, to intervene---and
be able to handle the anxiety, resistance and anger that comes with
intervention. Be alert to the siren song of nostalgia; be patient with the
missteps of transition; tread lightly; imagine other possibilities; look
around and think ahead."
References
Fricker, A. (1997). Technology that liberates. Futures, 29, 661-665.
James, J. (1996). Thinking in the future tense: Leadership skills for a new
age. New York: Simon & Schuster.
Van Wyk, R. J. (1997). Strategic technology scanning. Technological
Forecasting and Social Change, 55, 21-38.
Brent Muirhead D.Min; Ph.D.
Faculty, University of Phoenix Online
bmuirhead@email.uophx.edu
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