On the Horizon
Friday, January 25, 2008 at 03:04PM 
Vicki Davis at the Cool Cat Teacher blog reports that the 2008 Horizon Report from Educause is now available. I've enjoyed past issues of this publication that predicts those technologies that will have a major impact on education in 1 year, in 2-3 years, and in 4-5 years. I always find in these reports stuff wasn't even on my radar, let alone on my horizon. So to speak. Worth a read.
I took advantage of another Educause resource this week when I heard the term "google jockeying" used during a presentation. Since I was listening with my laptop open, I had to google the term and came up with this: 7 things you should know about... Google Jockeying published by ... wait for it ... Educause. This is just one document in the long list of the 7 things your should know about ... series. These one-page, double-sided papers on technologies and technology uses (often social) include a scenario, a definition, and a "what are the implications for teaching and learning" sections.(I just saw that Ryan Bretag has the list on his blog.) 7 things are great to share with your less than 100% tech-oriented staff members.
Remember as well that Educause produced Educating the Net Generation in 2005. The first two chapters of this online book are still the summaries of demographic research done on today's kids.
Happy reading.
Reader Comments (4)
I wonder if it's consider "google jockeying" if you do this while reading a book with a student? I'm tutoring a 7th grader after school who is reading Johnny Tremain. I discovered that he didn't really need assistance in "reading" but in background knowledge and with the vocabulary. He has only lived in AZ and hasn't been exposed to the Revolutionary War because of curriculum changes. (Don't ask! Long and very unhappy explanation.) So while we are reading the book together, I am getting up and going to the computer and showing him pictures of a wharf, a sea gull, clothing of the times, items made of silver by Paul Revere, silvermarks, etc. Originally, I was just explaining the words to him, but I could see that there was still a gap in understanding. I then had a "Duh!" moment and went to Google images for further explanation and saw light bulbs go off for him! I tried explaining this to his LA teacher, but didn't get too far. She has 35+ students in her classroom with varying reading skill levels. She's just happy that I'm helping this one!
Hi Linda,
Sounds like a similar concept, as does individuals looking for information on their own during a lesson/lecture. Nice extension of the concept. Thanks for writing.
All the best,
Doug
Doug,
Thank you for the heads up about the Horizon report. What are other resources you recommend that can help educators see the technology horizon?
I am working on a roundtable discussion (ALA annual) for independent school librarians and I would like to have several resources such as the Horison report to recommend.
Looking forward to attending your pre-conference at Annual. Looks great! Guess I need to unearth the Friedman book from my to-be-read piles.
Ernie
Hi Ernie,
Thanks for the comment!
I like Fritz Dresser's observation "Predicting the future is easy. It’s trying to figure what’s going on now that’s hard."
I suppose I read more analysis of current events than I do futurism stuff. I am big fan of the Pew Internet and the American Life studies <http://www.pewinternet.org/>. I also find Stephen Abrams blog, Stephen's Lighthouse, has lots of good reads. http://stephenslighthouse.sirsidynix.com/ (He is a close to a futurist as the profession has, I think.)
If you have some recommendations, share them here.
See you in Anaheim!
All the very best,
Doug