Emerging Technology: 2011 Horizon Report

The 2011 Horizon Report is out with the latest word on specific technologies for us to watch.

Here's a quick summary of The New Media Consortium's report-

Technologies to Watch:
in the near-term horizon (within the next 12 months):

• e-books
• Mobiles

in the mid-term horizon (in the next 2-3 years):

• Augmented Reality
• Game-Based Learning

in the far-term horizon (in the next 4-5 years)

• Gesture-Based Computing
• Learning Analytics

I definitely see a move (finally) toward adoption of e-books with the many benefits they hold now; since new e-readers, mobile devices, tablets, and the iPad are catching on with younger eyes and being packed in backpacks. Cost is just one benefit, but I see having the ability to get your hands on a book at anytime, anywhere, a tremendous asset for students in remote, isolated locations who study online, but don't have access to a library or mega-bookstore nearby.

In the mid-future look for games to be used for learning purposes. Finally! I have been hawking the benefits of games in learning almost since the beginning of my blogging career as research has proven it, and as many ESL teachers knew long ago. But rather than seeing educational software such as the familiar Reader Rabbit we will see new types of game-based learning such as role-playing games hosted on the Internet. Game-based learning, using games such as World of Warcraft, has already been introduced at Masters level courses to provoke creative and critical thinking, problem solving, and virtual collaboration, besides a host of other learning possibilities that are too many to go into in this post. Known as WoW to its' 12 million users, World of Warcraft holds the Guinness World Record for the most popular MMORPG (massively multi player online role-playing game). Games definitely make learning fun! Definitely a WOW for teaching and learning.

One of the technologies to watch for in the long-term is already in many homes. The X-box360 Kinect allows users to control the game by making gestures such as swinging their arms or moving their body in a specific direction. It won't be long till that technology is harvested for everyday computer use. Think about not having to use a keyboard or a mouse. Another WOW for teaching and learning.

It's truly a great time to be working in teaching and learning with the emerging technology that's on the horizon. Can't wait to try a few out. (download the 2011 Horizon Report PDF here)