2. Introduction
This report “examines emerging technologies for their
potential impact on and use in teaching, learning, and
creative expression” within K-12 schools.
The 2011 edition is the third in the K-12 series.
Each edition outlines the key trends and challenges of the
time and introduces 6 emerging technologies or practices
that are likely to enter mainstream use in the educational
community within the next 1-5 years.
Each topic includes:
a descriptive overview,
a discussion of the relevance of the topic to teaching, learning
and creativity
examples of how the technology is being, or could be applied.
annotated lists of readings and additional examples.
3. 5 Contemporary Trends
1. “The abundance of resources and relationships made
easily accessible via the Internet is increasingly challenging
use to revisit our roles as educators”.
2. “As IT support becomes more and more decentralized, the
technologies we use are increasingly based not on school
servers, but in the cloud”.
3. “Technology continues to profoundly affect the way we
work, collaborate, communicate, communicate and
succeed”.
4. “People expect to be able to work, learn, and study
whenever and wherever they want to”.
5. “The perceived value of innovation and creativity is
increasing”.
4. 5 Critical Challenges
1. “Digital media literacy continues its rise in importance as a
key skill in every discipline and profession”.
2. “Economic pressures and new models of education are
presenting unprecedented competition to traditional models
of schools”.
3. “The demand for personalized learning is not adequately
supported by current technology or practices”.
4. “A key challenge is the fundamental structure of the K-12
education establishment – aka “the system”.
5. “Many activities related to learning and education take
place outside the walls of the classroom and thus are not
part of our learning metrics”.
5. Technologies to watch
Next 12 months
Cloud computing and mobiles
2-3 years
Game-based learning and open content
4-5 years
Learning analytics and personal learning environments
6. Discussion Questions
In pairs for 10 mins, focus on your allocated technology
to watch and discuss the following:
1. What are the main reasons why this technology has
been identified in the report? (see the Executive
Summary pp. 6-8).
2. What is common throughout the examples of how
this technology is being used in innovative schools?
(See relevant section of the report).
Be prepared to report back to the group (1 min each).
7. Whole Group Discussion
1. What value do you think the Horizon K-12 Reports are
to educators and school leaders?
2. Is this a reading that should be included for this topic?
8. Conclusion
The Horizon K-12 Reports have been designed to
stimulate ongoing conversation among knowledgeable
persons within and beyond education.
The report supports educators and school leaders to
consider the key trends and challenges of
contemporary learning environments and the
technologies to watch that have considerable potential
to support teaching, learning and creative expression.
Notas del editor
Institutions must consider the unique value that each resource adds to a world in which information is everywhere. In such a world,, sense making and the ability to assess the credibility of information are paramount.It does not matter where our work is stored; what matters is that our information is accessible no what where we are or what device we choose to use.Increasingly, technology skills are also critical to success in almost every arena, and those who are more facile with technology with advance while those without access or skills will not.People want easy and timely access not only to the information on the network, but to their social networks that can help them to interpret and maximise its value.Innovation is valued at the highest levels of business and must be embraced by schools if students are to succeed beyond their formal education. Innovation and creativity must not be linked only to arts subjects, either; these skills are equally important in scientific inquiry, entrepreneurship and other areas as well.
Training in digital literacy skills and techniques is rate in teacher education and school district professional development. Digital literacy is less about tools and more about thinking.Institutions are looking to control costs – there are growing numbers of students and fewer resources and staff than before. Technology tools must be used to engage students at a deeper level.A one size fits all approach is no longer acceptable for today’s diverse students. There is demand for education that is customised to each student’s unique needs and new technologies can provide more learner choice and control.Major change comes hard in education. Informal education, online education and home based learning are attracting students away from traditional education settings.The experiences that happen at home and through social networks outside school tend to happen serendipitously and in response to immediate need and are therefore difficult to relate to what is being studied in classrooms.
