Becta research - Research - Introduction - Emerging technologies for learning: volume 3 (2008): article summaries

Emerging technologies for learning: volume 3 (2008): article summaries

Here are the summaries of each chapter in Emerging technologies for learning: volume 2 (2007):

Growing up with Google: what it means to education

Diana Oblinger explores the ‘net generation’ who can seamlessly move between their real and digital lives. Their behaviours, preferences and expectations may be very different from those of their teachers. Diana examines the characteristics of these learners, the possibilities offered by new technologies and the skills that an education system needs to provide for the 21st century. She also argues that we need to adapt to this rapidly evolving context and goes on to explore the implications for learning space design, assessment and learning and teaching. Download this chapter (805KB).

Mobile, wireless, connected: information clouds and learning

Mark van’t Hooft looks at the implications for education of the convergence of mobile devices, pervasive wireless connectivity, and internet applications and services. These are redefining the way we live, play, work and learn, creating new opportunities for rich, personalised experiences. Mark describes some examples of how these technologies are being used to transform learning and discusses the barriers and issues to their effective use. He warns that formal education risks becoming less relevant if we don’t take advantage of the new opportunities for learning enabled by these developments. Download this chapter (680KB).

Location-based and context-aware education: prospects and perils

Location- and context-aware systems are expected to become increasingly pervasive in the near future, and here Adam Greenfield discusses some of the potential issues and pitfalls around implementation and reliance on such technologies. Adam then goes on to explore the potential of these technologies which could mean ‘nothing less than a reappraisal of what we mean when we say ‘education’.’ Download this chapter (477KB).

Emerging trends in serious games and virtual worlds

Sara de Freitas looks at the development of virtual worlds and ‘serious games’ and how we can make best use of these technologies to support better learning. They may help tackle ‘the gulf between learners’ experiences with technology inside and outside formal education’. She also examines the links to internet trends, web 2.0 and collaborative learning. Through discussion of the existing research and examples of the educational use of virtual worlds and serious games, Sara explores the potential of these technologies and the implications for education more widely. Download this chapter (571KB).

'If it quacks like a duck…' Developments in search technologies

Emma Tonkin examines the problem of finding and searching digital content on the web and the limitations of current systems. She explores some of the technology developments that are beginning to address these issues, such as the semantic web, data mining, multimedia search and context-aware systems. Despite advances that offer great potential for learning through faster and more flexible access to the right information, there remains a clear role for educators and a need for better information literacy. Download this chapter (745KB).

Interactive displays and next-generation interfaces

Michael Haller explores the potential of some emerging display and interface technologies to improve interaction with computers and facilitate collaborative activities in more natural and intuitive ways. He takes an in-depth look at interactive touch displays, drawing on both his own research and wider developments in the field. Michael also discusses the qualities of these technologies that make them appealing, and the potential benefits for the classroom. Download this chapter (898KB).

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