Tag Archives: disruptive technology

Module 1: Disruptive Technologies

Clayton M. Christensen’s book, Disrupting Class: How Disruptive Innovation Will Change the Way the World Learns, offers some interesting insights into how disruptive technologies, and computer-based learning are changing the way students learn. His opinion is that a shift from a monolithic model to a student-centric model by way of computer-based learning will revolutionize learning; he insists that meeting the unique learning style of each student can only successfully take place with a computer, not a teacher. His book also provides some interesting and disturbing examples of how powerful technology companies are intentionally infiltrating small communities who have no technologies at all. “Success with disruptive innovations always originates at the simplest end of the market, typically competing against non-consumption. Then, from that base, the technology gets better and better until, ultimately, it performs well enough that it supplants the prior approach.” (p.85) While I see the value of using ubiquitous, personalized learning tools, personal learning environments, etc. to enhance learning, I’m not convinced they are the savior of education; particularly when working within an aboriginal holistic model of education.