11 years from now, and things must be different right? In an ever increasing technological world, the answer is so very obviously yes.
University would have changed so much for students like Finn (my fictional character - who is actually a real baby and likely to experience this for real!!). Long gone are the days of waking up early and trying to make it into uni for 9am starts, everything is now done in a virtual world. From the comfort of his own bedroom, Finn will be able to "attend" lectures and seminars and complete his degree course, all from his own house. At his own pace, at a time which suits him, he will be able to learn via his compter (which in ten years time will probably we able to make his breakfast and coffee for him too!...oo if only!!).
Distance learning is on the increase, already being used in a number of universities over the world. This uni itself it a prime example of how technology can be used for education, and if its as effective and convienient as we find it, then the likely hood is that its going to carry on developing and perhaps be the only way of learning? Why actually attend set lectures and seminars when it can all be done online?
I don't really see this as being a good thing. I would much prefer interactive learning, actually going into university for lectures etc, working with other students and being taught face to face from tutors. Its hard to predict what will happen in ten years time!!
Showing posts with label Week 9. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Week 9. Show all posts
Sunday, 22 March 2009
Neo-luddites.
A neo-luddite is someone who doesn't agree with technological developments, and dislike using technology. "A Neo-Luddite is someone who believes that the use of technology has serious ethical, moral, and social ramifications" (http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-a-neo-luddite.htm).
Neo-luddites are catious to promote early adaption of technology, and although they are not entirely against technology, they would rather see a serious discussion of the role of technology in todays soceity.
Being a neo-luddite causes many daily frustrations, as we live in such a technology dominated soceity, its virtually impossible to escape from it. To a neo-luddite student, university life would be such a problematice and frustrating area, as universtities rely on technology more than ever. For example, time tables, maps and contact between lectureres and students are all done via the internet these days, as well as lecture notes and materials being posted online the majority of the time, rather than in-class hand outs. At university, we are all given our own email address which is the man way we are expected to keep on contact with tutors and peers, and all written work is required to be submitted using word-proccesser, so a basic general knowledge of computers and technology is a must, which is obviously going to frustrate a neo-luddite.
Neo-luddites are catious to promote early adaption of technology, and although they are not entirely against technology, they would rather see a serious discussion of the role of technology in todays soceity.
Being a neo-luddite causes many daily frustrations, as we live in such a technology dominated soceity, its virtually impossible to escape from it. To a neo-luddite student, university life would be such a problematice and frustrating area, as universtities rely on technology more than ever. For example, time tables, maps and contact between lectureres and students are all done via the internet these days, as well as lecture notes and materials being posted online the majority of the time, rather than in-class hand outs. At university, we are all given our own email address which is the man way we are expected to keep on contact with tutors and peers, and all written work is required to be submitted using word-proccesser, so a basic general knowledge of computers and technology is a must, which is obviously going to frustrate a neo-luddite.
The youngest digital immigrant
The youngest digital immigrant that I can think of that I know is one of my old best friends, a girl who lived across the road from me, who is now 19 years old. Although she fits into the age group of a "digital native" as she has grown up with new technological advances surrounding her, she doesnt seem to possess the same level of internet/computer/digital knowledge as people her her. To me, her lack of involvement and capabilities categorise her as a "digital immgrant".
I'm not entirely sure why, but I think it is probably to do with the fact that her parents were in the 40's when they had her, and she was their first child. As older parents, they didn'y have the knowledge themselves of technology, and I can remember its only been in the past couple years when she started college that they got broadband internet and a new computer for her. The lack of tecnhnology surrounding her directly when she grew up obviously had an impact on her laer life, as now she seems to be slightly behind everyone else in terms of what she knows and how to do certain things, and is learning at a much later stage of life.
I'm not entirely sure why, but I think it is probably to do with the fact that her parents were in the 40's when they had her, and she was their first child. As older parents, they didn'y have the knowledge themselves of technology, and I can remember its only been in the past couple years when she started college that they got broadband internet and a new computer for her. The lack of tecnhnology surrounding her directly when she grew up obviously had an impact on her laer life, as now she seems to be slightly behind everyone else in terms of what she knows and how to do certain things, and is learning at a much later stage of life.
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