Cutting Edge

Online and paper newspapers and journals often have technology sections that bring us new or emerging technologies. It can be fun to peruse the articles on emerging technology and imagine the world for which we are heading. Emerging Technologies do not have to be directly referenced to education to have an effect on education, all they need for that is to have an effect on our clientele. Smartphones were envisioned back in the 1970s, but did not come into being until the early 1990s. The smartphone as we know it came to us about a decade ago, in the first iPhone. At the time, many of us did not have a clue regarding the potential effect this technology would have on the classroom (...directly through student use, and indirectly through a culture that uses smartphones for almost anything).

What is coming up now that may have an effect on the classroom of tomorrow?

There are several sites that provide articles on emerging technology. When searching for a topic with-which to engage, do not limit yourself to topics that have a direct link to education. Let your mind diverge into the world of tomorrow.

Any topic which you feel may have a future effect on education, or the culture and experience of our clientele, can be utilized. Feel free to have a flight of fancy and paint a picture of the world of tomorrow. Be open to new ideas and their potential effect on our learners. Example: Why would scientists developing an inexpensive process to produce Graphene be of any use to education? Well... Imagine unrolling your interactive whiteboard onto any surface, or having students develop a paper news magazine that has interactive paper and video.

Some potential resources for emerging technology are provided below.

Like this activity and want more of it?

This quest allows you to select as many emerging technologies as you wish.