Education for a Digital World Advice, Guidelines and Effective Practice from Around Globe, 2008a

6 – The Impact of Technology on Education
agents could also monitor learners’ progress, and cater
to individual needs and styles. Intelligent learning systems
will allow learners to be more active and will place
more responsibility on them in the learning process.
Research is needed on how to empower learners to learn
on their own and how to activate learners’ metacognitive
skills.
Content will be designed as small chunks in the form
of information and learning objects. This will allow intelligent
agents to prescribe the most appropriate materials
based on learner’s learning style, progress, and
needs. The intelligent agents will assemble these chunks
into a larger instructional sequence so that learners can
achieve the learning outcomes of the lesson. More work
is needed on how to develop learning objects and how to
tag them for easy retrieval by intelligent agents.
Future technologies will use intelligent agents to assemble
courses and modules of instruction immediately
by accessing learning objects from repositories. Because
of the changing nature of content, models are needed to
develop learning materials in as short time as possible
using techniques similar to rapid application development
(Lohr et al., 2003). Smart learning systems in
emerging technologies will be able to assemble unique
courses for each learner, based on the learner’s prior
knowledge, learning preferences, and needs.
Pervasive computing is making it possible for computing
power to be included everywhere, thanks to tiny microprocessors
and wireless access. As a result, educators must
design for pervasive computing where learners will access
learning materials using everyday objects and environments.
For example, learners might be able to access course
materials using kitchen appliances, or their clothing.
The trend in hardware development is towards virtual
devices, such as the virtual keyboard and virtual
screen. With these devices, learners are able to turn on
the device, use it, and then turn it off. For example, for
input into a computer, a learner can press a button to
turn on a virtual keyboard on a temporary surface, use
it, then turn it off. When developing learning materials
for emerging technologies, educators must design for
delivery on these virtual devices.
this is the one hundred dollar laptop that is being developed
by a multidisciplinary team of experts, including
educators (OLPC, 2006). The one hundred dollar computer
is a global device that will be used by learners
around the world since it is affordable.
E-learning materials must be modular to allow for
flexibility in delivery. Modular learning materials allow
learners to complete a module of instruction at a time
rather than an entire course. The learning time for a
module of instruction is between two to four hours. The
content must be broken down into small chunks and
developed as learning objects. The modular format allows
the segments of instruction to be tagged and placed
in learning object repositories for easy retrieval by learners
and instructors. When designing learning materials
for emerging technologies, educators must think globally
and must design for the future so that the materials
do not become obsolete.
Learning systems of the future must develop intelligent
systems to relieve tutors from routine decisionmaking
so that they can spend time on issues concerning
the learning process. Intelligent systems will be able
to design, develop, and deliver instruction to meet
learners’ needs. For example, an intelligent agent will be
able to identify learners who need extra help and provide
an alternative learning strategy. The intelligent
agent should anticipate learners’ requirements and respond
immediately to take corrective action or to present
the next learning intervention based on learners’
characteristics and style to maximize learning benefits.
In other words, the intelligent agent should form dynamic
profiles of the learner and guide the learner to the
next step in the learning process.
One of the major challenges educators will face is
how to convert existing learning materials for delivery
on emerging technologies rather than redeveloping
courses from scratch. It is important to develop learning
materials in electronic format so that the information
can readily delivered by newer technologies.
“Real learning occurs when learners learn by doing
and making things”. – Ally
Summary
As we continue to use such technologies as cell phones,
PDAs, palmtops, and virtual devices for everyday activities,
educators will need to develop and deliver learning
materials on these devices. Educators must proactively
influence the design and development of emerging
technologies to meet learners’ needs. A good example of
Glossary
Advance organizer. A general statement at the beginning
of the information or lesson to activate existing
cognitive structure or to provide the appropriate cognitive
structure to learn the details in the information or
the lesson.
64 Education for a Digital World