Ocotillo Emerging Learning Technologies

"Projection of E-Learning Technologies"

From an article by Stephen Downes, "From Classrooms to Learning Environments: A Midrange Projection of E-Learning Technologies" (June 10, 2004):

The introduction of information and communications technologies is also in the process of passing through two stages. The first stage, which we have very nearly reached, is what might be thought of as the electronic classroom. The physical environment in which teaching and learning occurs has been replaced with an electronic classroom, but the process of teaching is very much the same. In the second phase, however, we will begin to use technology in new ways, to advance beyond what was possible in the classroom.

Because we are a part of the way through this transformation, a mid-range projection is now possible. Our experience with information and communications technologies is sufficient to allow us to identify the progression through the two phases. This progression may be mapped to a continuum of technological innovations that are now becoming more familiar to researchers in the field.

Downes sees this as a "continuum of technological innovations" :

• Learning Objects
• Learning Object Repositories
• Content Syndication
• Personalization
• Learning Environments

and goes on to describe how this evolution is changing the action of teaching and learning and even subtly questions the need for classrooms very far off in the future, with "opportunities and challenges"

If there is an over-riding theme in this discussion, both in the discussion of the changes in technology that will occur over the next decade, and the challenges that arise from such changes, it is this: that the world of learning will become more integrated with the other parts of our lives than ever before.

Ocotillo Retreat Discussion Notes

Wow! Look at the big set of ideas we got from the Ocotillo 2004 Retreat. Good starting points for us!

Here are the notes in Word format too...
ELT Ocotillo Notes

The Future of Wireless: Here Now

Wireless technologies ought to be in place and pervasive! Check out this new feature from Newsweek News Frontiers, "Something in the Air":

Here's what we're learning with our cell phones, sensors and Wi-Fi: losing the wires is only the beginning. What happens next is unpredictable, empowering and sometimes a bit unnerving

Their video World Without Wires really helps show what this new technology might do.

Are we ready for this?

We Are Emerging Too!

Hi. As co-chair of this new Ocotillo Action Group, I am excited to be helping Maricopa take a long and close look at new technologies. One of the key first steps for myself and Jim was to recast the name of this group as the Emerging Learning Technologies action group-- we made sure that Learning is right in there.