Connected Learning

I’m not generally a big fan of making wild predictions, but here goes my humble attempt at how learning may change or develop during 2009.

• Smart phones will become far more prevalent, especially in the classroom. As people (both teachers and students) upgrade their phones they will choose “smart phones” with Internet capabilities which will allow anywhere, anytime access to the Internet. With this comes the possibilities of instant information searching as well as constant connection with your personal learning network.
• The rise of net books. These relatively inexpensive mobile computing platforms will replace laptops for many people and as they begin to include mobile Internet (just add a Sim card) they will truly become a mobile device for the masses. People will buy them for their kids and we will see them more and more in the classroom. How will we make sure they are used wisely?
• Mobile Internet. The rise of low cost mobile broadband will see many people release themselves from their desktop and take their computing mobile, to wherever they are.
• Laptops over desktops. this has been a trend for quite a while, but I believe that people want mobility, not to be stuck at a desk, and this, in conjunction with mobile broadband will provide a great solution.

That’s it for the moment, I’m sure that I will think of others, but for the time being, those are my predictions for 2009!