The author subscribes in part to the original view of emergent technology proposed by Dr. David Thornburg. If there is a prototype then the technology has emerged. An example is the LED contact lens developed at the University of Washington. This emerging technology will in become as revolutionary as the first blackboard. Students, teachers, and anyone else who invests in this technology will have a real time HUD (Heads Up Display) which will provide real time information, video etc. This will allow education to become more interactive and collaborative with technology again leading the way. The teacher will select the subject for the day and students will have the ability to instantaneously access information via wireless integration. While the technology is about thirty years off. It will be amazing to watch how education as well as society will accept this innovation.
Challenges of this technology have included the development of the right organic compounds to allow the use of this innovation without harm to the eye, and possible rejection of the materials by the human body. The RBG color palate is an issue. While the scientists have been able to see red and blue, they are working to include green to the color palette. All display colors are created by the RBG codes utilized to create the colors we see, such as webpage colors. To read more about this innovation click on this link: http://www.joshkotoff.com/2011/06/27/led-contact-lenses-one-step-closer-to-bionic-vision/
There will of course be issues of costs to consumers, the inherent adoption time with any innovation and the physical limitations already mentioned and possible abuses associated with most online technologies. Once these issues are worked out this technology could replace computers or I Pads in the classroom. With instant information being key to education this device is just one more innovation to springboard ideas, lessons, and more innovations students will undoubtedly uncover one this technology becomes available.
References:
Batteries not included (2011). Unknown. http://www.joshkotoff.com/2011/06/27/led-contact-lenses-one-step-closer-to-bionic-vision/
Thornburg, D. D. (2009b). When is a technology emergent? Lake Barrington, IL: Thornburg Center for Space Exploration.
Bradley,
ReplyDeleteI believe that emerging really is in the eye of the beholder. The inventor believes it is emerging when first prototype is up and running. To a school however, a technology that is still, as you said, 30 years off into the future, is NOT emerging. And if it really is 30 years off, will it really replace the computer or iPad? I have doubts either of those technologies will still be widely used and sot after. I think something else, possibly many something else’s will have emerged and taken over in the next 30 years. And who knows, maybe the LED contact lens will be replaced before it is mainstreamed.
But I do have to say, it is a very interesting technology.
-Christine
Wow what a very interesting article. The LED contract was somewhat hard for me to wrap my head around. Though it sounds very interesting, is the human body really built to withstand this type of technology? What price are we paying to be technologically advanced? I do not foresee the LED contract diffusing without a lot of controversy; especially, when it comes to integrating into the school system. The risk factors could outweigh the benefits. I wonder how would one monitor what would the students are viewing through the LED contract? We have teachers now who are hesitant about technology integration; I can only image how this would play out. Hope I am not being too negative; I am just analyzing my thoughts out loud. Thanks for opening my eyes to what's to come.
ReplyDeleteAs is almost always the case education will be the last to benefit from something as wonderful as this technology. Can't wait!
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