Future trends in information technology in education

Future trends in information technology in educationSummaryIn this article, authors Cleborne D. Maddux, and D. LaMont Johnson discuss what their predictions are about what technologies will become prominent in the future of education.

The futureAlthough the authors recognize that predicting future developments is difficult, and often fails, they have suggested that innovations that will succeed in education parallel those innovations that have first been popular in the culture at large.

gamingThe example provided is gaming, which they claim is beginning to find its way into education, after having a great deal of cultural momentum for years.

othersIn addition, the authors have identified social networking, Web 2.0 applications, and mobile and handheld computing as some technologies likely to make their way into education, especially because they are becoming integrated into more and more aspects of life.

The semantic webThe Semantic Web is a change in the code that is used in designing web pages. Instead of using HTML and CSS codes which focus on the appearance of a webpage, the Semantic Web will focus instead on the meaning of what is displayed.

Semantic web and educationIt has been suggested that in education, the Semantic Web would facilitate improvements in at least the following three areas: a) locating information, b) integrating data, and c) communicating and collaborating with others. This could potentially lead to truly individualized teaching and learning through the build of Semantic Web Based Educational Systems.

Why this is important to knowEducators often get caught up in the here and now. Daily, we think of things such as: What do I need to be doing to keep up with technology now?How can I implement technology in the classroom effectively?

Why this is important to knowThinking ahead gives us an idea of where we may be going with technology in education, potentially making the transition smoother when it arrives.Technology changes at such a rapid rate that its good to be prepared for what changes may occur in our field.

What will benefit students in the future? What do we need to prepare for?Why this is important to knowMaddux and Johnson make some suggestions, but nothing is guaranteed when making predictions.

We need to consider how we can integrate technology into education in a way thats relatable and beneficial to students while they are in school, as well as in their life outside of school. If everyone were to think about the future of technology in education, some integration could potentially be tested out or acted upon faster, improving the individualized schooling that students are receiving.