I found myself in an interesting Twitter discussion with @backcountrynut – Sean Beaton, @adlcprojects – Jason Wiks, @laurelbeaton – Laurel Beaton, and @web20classroom – Steve W. Anderson, a few days back.
In this conversation Jason said, “I think that the last disruption in ed was from elite ed to mass ed in the 1900’s” @adlcprojects
Sean continued the thought, “To be disruptive it must transform the model. Really hasn’t happened for 100yrs – which is surprising. There needs to be a full scale re-imaging of ed practice.” @backcountrynut
To which I said, “It is happening NOW. 3 disruptive forces: 1. Google, 2. Wireless, 3. BYOD.” @datruss
And then I added, “…Not necessarily BYOD, more so mobile/tablet/laptop ubiquitous access.” @datruss
I’d say the writing is on the wall, but all the walls have been torn down. We don’t need to wait anymore, the disruptive forces have arrived:
To not use Google is like choosing to use a horse and cart on the information highway.
To not use Wireless is like choosing to use a boat to deliver a trans-continental phone message.
To not use your own devices is like choosing to walk across gravel barefoot while holding your shoes.
We have disruptive forces within our reach and it is exciting to speculate just how far we can go… If we accept that these forces transformative, and use them as such!
Think of all the other truly disruptive forces that are here, NOW. What are they and how are they helping to truly transform education?
(cross-posted on G+)
This was my point in an old post, “The next, more interesting innovation in education won’t be technological.”
The forces you talk about–Google, mobiles, wireless–are merely catalytic. (AS an aside, I think the idea of the web is the real disruptor. Google, mobiles and wifi are just manifestations of the concept.) Moreover, I think we’re still at the very earliest stage of their influence. I heard Kahn Academy described as basic and primitive tech, which it is. And look at the news around wearable tech and how you can use a mobile device to control, well, just about anything; the tech is less interesting than the new habits and expectations it’s forming.?
I like that thought. I should have titled this post ‘Disruptive Catalysts’. I completely agree that ‘the tech is less interesting than the new habits and expectations it’s forming’. We don’t carry around paper maps, but more interestingly, we aren’t as afraid to get lost anymore. We don’t wear watches, but we are constantly reminded of the time via our phones (and their constant beeps & vibrations that have us looking at them). We expect people to get our messages instantly, and that changes expected response times. I could go on… with thoughts that share both good and bad habits that are becoming second nature.
I was thinking of sharing this http://www.google.com/glass/start/how-it-feels/ when I wrote the post. This will definitely invite new habits and expectations!