Just realised i had posted this in another section of the website!  

Activity 1.1 Emerging Technologies

 What are the 6 key emerging technologies identified in the 2008 Horizon Report?

• Grassroot videos
• Collaoration Webs
• Mobile Broadband
• Data Mashups
• Collective Intelligence
• Social Operating Systems

Which of these technologies are you familiar with, and in what contexts have you used them, or heard of them?

• Social Operating Systems = facebook, myspace, wikis, blogs
• Mobile Broadband = I use an internet connection card [3G] that allows me to access the Internet from my laptop in most locations.

Review the significant trends [p.6] how do these relate to your experiences of technology within learning contexts?

• Social networking sites such as Facebook – connects members of the UTS Peer Network [a voluntary student organisation that helps run university orientation programs] Rather than sending individual messages, it allows mass messaging to occur by posting messages on the group page. It also allows members to connect with each other by sharing photos, videos, comments and anything else they may wish to share.
• Wikis and Blogs- introduced in many of our subjects, such as this one [E-learning Design], E-learning experiences and E-portfolio. Using this medium, we complete individual and group assessments, as well as learn the nature, history and process of using wikis and blogs. I now have a greater understanding of the website Wikipedia and exactly why it is an unsuitable academic source. Blogs are used as a way of reflecting our learning experiences on a continuous basis.
• I have been introduced to applications such as ‘Second Life’ [a virtual world] but personally would not use such applications as i find them too complicated and time consuming, and i would much rather learn in a traditional classroom based environment.

Review your familiarity with the key emerging technologies from 2007 and your current technology experiences?

 The key technologies identified in the 2007 report include mobile phones, social networking, and user created content. It is evident that the use of mobiles is increasing considering our entire class body has a mobile phone. However, I generally find that i do not use it for learning purposes but rather  to communicate with peers on a range of matters and topics, which may include educational issues . Social networking is now the norm, but once again pages such as facebook are used mainly for social reasons. However in the past year, I have been introduced to mediums such as wiki and blogs but have used them mainly for assessments. But I have gained a greater understanding and appreciation of these technologies.