David’s Critique on Gartner’s Article
Gartner’s article about the top 10 Strategic Technologies for 2011 has some very intriguing points. The article states “Gartner defines a strategic technology as one with the potential for significant impact on the enterprise in the next three years.” This is important to keep in mind because even though some of the strategic technologies that Gartners discusses are not integral at the moment, they are in the process of become integral or relevant to educators, learning technology specialists and venturers.
All of these technologies seem to be becoming more prevalent, espieciually when one examines their future potentials. I would like to choose a couple of technologies from this report that I have a strong interest in and offer my opinion.
Cloud Computing: There is little to no doubt that this is an important emerging technology. Apple and Google have cloud options so the venturers are already aware of its potential. It is infinitely more affordable for educators working with a stack of computers when the previous option was individual hard drives. It is great for learning technologies specialists as well because of the ability to share information without delay. Gartner predicts that this technology will unfold even more in 2012 I can already see that happening. Just the other day I heard an ad for IBM selling their business based cloud service on the local radio. Cloud storage is here and growing by the day.
Mobile Applications and Media Tablets: I personally have had my misgiving about tablets and mobile apps for education before. However the Luddite in me is (slowly) turning into a convert. According to Gartner nearly 1.2 billion mobile devices are already purchased. This is an astronomical number. Educators need to be aware of this and take advantage. Gartner states that “The quality of the experience of applications on these devices, which can apply location, motion and other context in their behaviour, is leading customers to interact with companies preferentially through mobile devices.” I can see these devices leading a technology change in the ways that students interact with educators where educators and schools become the equivalent to the companies that Garnter writes about. This is a very valuable technology.
Overall this report is an extremely detailed an intriguing one. All of the technologies listed are becoming commonplace in the education world. As for the venturers I am still learning about them, but I can see how all of these technologies can be used to become a part of a valuable e-learning platform. I would actively seek out this report, although I wouldn’t necessarily treat it as If it were a technology gospel. I still would like to compare it to other similar materials.
Posted in: Week 02: The Edtech Marketplace
verenanz 12:26 pm on September 14, 2011 Permalink | Log in to Reply
David…
I totally agree with the “mobile” mania phenomena…..As a teacher I am so excited that
1) students already have the hardware and we don’t have to pay for it…..and Apps are beginning to be accessible on all phones
2) The “unlimited” Apps offer teachers an amazing source of new ideas/content
3) The comfort level of learning at your own time, in your own space, in your own way is something face to face classrooms cannot offer
However…mobile options are at risk when so many schools ban cel phones.
Using Gartner’s ” 3 year” cycle theory….what will the “cel phone” rules be in 3 years?
Comparing the mobile phenomena to the SMARTboard phenomena – what intrigues me most is the fact that mobiles are “owned and operated” by the students. SMARTboards are “owned by the school and most often operated” by teachers. How will the “change in power and control” over tech tools influence student learning? How will teachers react to the aspect of “losing control?”
I think the “power and influence” in learning is shifting…and that’s where we will see the biggest “issues” with mobile use in the years to come….
That’s why if I had money….I would invest in software with mobile options….
Verena:)
David William Price 9:30 am on September 15, 2011 Permalink | Log in to Reply
That’s a great point about the ownership, control and ubiquity of a technology. I have never seen anyone use a SMARTboard in my classes in the faculty of education. THey seem to hang on the walls like some kind of expensive decoration with notes posted on the wall saying “Don’t use dry erase markers on the SMARTboards”.
On the other hand, many of us (including the profs) are using laptops and iPads in classes and checking things the prof says and sharing in real-time. We’re able to add to the class with our tech (vs. expecting the prof to entertain us with the SMARTboard tech with whatever limited access, time, experience etc. he/she may have)
David Berljawsky 1:24 pm on September 17, 2011 Permalink | Log in to Reply
The cell phone rules in schools need to be enforced. Students with video cameras on them is not a great ides personally. Perhaps the future is supplying cell phones to students (or tablets) with certain features turned off? Maybe a dummied down iPhone without features that are not relevent (or useful) for education? Of course, we would all have to switch over to Linux for that, somehow I doubt that Apple would let schools boards modify their product.
Sorry about the rant…:)
Thanks for the comments.
Dave
schiong 8:37 pm on September 14, 2011 Permalink | Log in to Reply
I believe that there’s a market for Cloud Computing. But, I also have some concerns …
a) security
b) backup
c) reliability
David Berljawsky 1:20 pm on September 17, 2011 Permalink | Log in to Reply
I couldn’t agree more, the privacy issues are scary with cloud computing, which is the main reason that I personally do not use the technology. Although I can certainly see the upside.