View of the Horizon

Horizons, by nature, are always out of reach, even though you are moving toward them. Appropriately, the series of reports about technology trends in education is named the Horizon Reports. Since 2004, the New Media Consortium has outlined trends that remain elusive and others that have become ubiquitous to how technology works within educational organizations. Looking back over the previous reports is a glance at our present and into our future as educators. Despite organizational resistance to change, the horizon appears closer for some tech trends outlined in these reports.

As an educator who now teaches new educators, these reports provide a time line of technology trends that provide a direction and focus. The 2012 report follows the same framework as previous reports. It begins by outlining key trends, critical challenges, technologies to watch, and how the project is produced. An overview of the six technologies are individually outlined, including sections on relevance to teaching, learning, research or creative inquiry, followed by examples of practice in educational institutions and a section for further reading. The work done by the New Media Consortium is conducted within an open forum wiki.

The 2012 Horizon report outlines six trends for higher education and timelines for adoption. These are

  • Near horizon, within one year – mobile apps and tablet computing
  • Mid term horizon of two to three years – game based learning and learning analytics
  • Far term horizon of four to five years – gesture based computing and the internet of things.

By outlining and linking to current research and practice at specific higher education sites, the trends become real and possible. By examining the impact to teaching, learning, research and creative inquiry, the report connects the trend to the reader’s personal teaching practice. The report includes the key focus questions, the process, and the individuals who produce the report.

Change within education is a process of evolution not revolution. The 2012 report, like it’s predecessors, provide insight and direction for those working to change technology within educational systems. By providing some direction, these reports help shape the change process for higher eduction. Not everything will be incorporated as outlined in this report by every higher education institution, but it provides a basis for movement toward a goal.

For my personal and professional growth, the Horizon report provides challenge and purpose. I have recently become a tablet user and have looked for ways to integrate this tool into my practice. Game based learning is of interest and led to my inquiry into how it can apply to teaching teachers how to teach. Gesture based computing holds potential for learners who need multiple modes of entry into learning and will alter how children interact with technology, which teachers need to shape for effective learning to occur. Scanning back through the Horizon reports from previous years, I see my own technological evolution in education – from 2004 knowledge webs; 2007 user created content, mobile phones and social networking; 2008 grassroots video, data mashups and collaboration webs; 2010 cloud computing, electronic books and open content; 2011 mobiles and game based learning. Each tech trend has, in some way, touched my personal and professional journey toward new horizons. Unfortunately for some educators, the walls or barriers they place around themselves block the view of the horizon.

References

Johnson, L., Smith, R., Willis, H., Levine, A., and Haywood, K., (2011). The 2011 Horizon Report. Austin, Texas: The New Media Consortium.

Johnson, L., Adams, S., and Cummins, M. (2012). The NMC Horizon Report: 2012 Higher Education Edition. Austin, Texas: The New Media Consortium.

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