In this section:

• Compare the advantages and disadvantages which may arise from future technologies.
• Stay realistic with your goals.

Because the potential of technology in the future is limitless, it is vital to the present that we stay realistic. One way to remain realistic is to keep in mind the maxim "Pedagogy Precedes Technology" to remind us that technology is simply a tool to improve education.

• The terms "evolving technologies" and "emerging technologies" must be considered as loosely describing the current phenomenon of technology undergoing rapid change. While it is relatively clear that CPUs have evolved and continue to evolve, what sort of technology can be seen as "emerging"? One example of an emerging technology is the development of web-based programming languages like Java, JavaScript, or Active X. Such applications were unheard of three years ago, and now are commonplace in enhancing the web-browsing experience.

  Technology is only beneficial if it can remain efficient. Efficiency is mandatory when considering the implementation of evolving/emerging technologies. Complex questions must be addressed as the technologies move along at a blinding speed. When is an evolving/emerging technology ready for implementation? How can a evolving/emerging technology be integrated into present technology? Are there compatibility issues that may result?

  In order to realistically anticipate and plan for the future of technology, it is helpful to compare the advantages and disadvantages which may arise from evolving/emerging technologies.

  In the following activity, you will be paired with a classmate to complete these steps.

  1. Individually, review the notes you took in the Connect Section on specific technologies that may have relevance to your class project.
  2. Then, list some of the practical applications of specific technologies that could be beneficial to you and your school. It will help to ask such questions as:
     • How will the technology promote sound pedagogy?
     • Would it prove beneficial to their education?
     • Should each student be issued a laptop computer? 
     • What about school-provided Internet access for the student's home? 
     • Could your students benefit from virtual classrooms? 
  3. Consider the possible negative consequences that the technologies identified in step two could have on you or your school.
  4. Make a list ranking the importance of the varying future technologies outlined above and rank them according to their usefulness to the future of your school.  
  5. Plan a time to discuss your responses to these steps with your partner, either via meeting, chat or phone. Together, identify the three most important technologies and list the benefits and disadvantages of them.

  When you have completed your list, post it to the class newsgroup.

Page author: David Georgi and Jeff Carter
URL: http://edweb.sdsu.edu/courses/EDTEC596R/module16/apply.html
Last updated: February 21, 1998