Exploring educational possibilities: emerging technologies and the national broadband network.
Griffith University hosted a one-day symposium to explore the educational possibilities of emerging technologies and the National Broadband Network on the 25th September 2009. It brought together a number of national thought leaders, policy makers, educators and information professionals to discuss future trends in ICTs and education.
The seminar also launched the 2009 Horizon.Au Report, a freely available international publication which identifies educational technologies that will be 'on the horizon' for tertiary institutions in Australia and New Zealand over the next two to five years. This annual report, published by the US-based New Media Consortium, is based upon the consensus of a regionally based advisory panel of further and higher education and industry-based technology experts.
Griffith Pro Vice Chancellor (Information Services) Linda O'Brien, who was chair of the Horizon advisory board for this edition, said information and communication technologies had advanced to a point where educational transformation was possible across all sectors of education.
"The National Broadband Network provides the much needed infrastructure to realise these opportunities." Ms O'Brien said.
Dr Larry Johnson, chief executive officer of New Media Consortium further stated:
"The Horizon Report identifies that the swift uptake of new mobile phone models with the capacity for educational applications, combined with wider availability of mobile broadband, has catapulted mobiles into the educational realm in Australia and New Zealand,"
The report also recognises that “virtual, augmented, and alternate realities” will be more prominent tools for education in the next two to three years.
The report can be downloaded from the New Media Consortium’s website. Further information is available by e-mail from Griffith University’s Dr Kevin Ashford-Rowe: k.ashford-rowe@griffith.edu.au
The presentations are also available.
Blog
Keep up to date by visiting the Emerging technologies and education blog