NMC Horizon Report

             When we were assigned the task of blogging about the New Media Consortium (NMC); I immediately started to wonder what exciting topic in technology we would now have to become abreast on. Never did I think that it would be something that has sought to "chart the landscape of emerging technologies for teaching, learning and creative inquiry and produces the NMC’s series of Horizon Reports. Since the launch of the Horizon Project in March 2002, the NMC has held an ongoing series of conversations and dialogs with hundreds of technology professionals, campus technologists, faculty leaders from colleges and universities, and representatives of leading corporations."

              Every year this report is written based on a number of things such as current technological trends and tagged information that individuals bring to their attention by using delicious. I believe that the fact that current trends in technology and the views of individuals in society is taken into account is awesome; "straight from the horses mouth."

             As the Horizon Report states, the aim is to highlight emerging technologies. There are normally six technologies of focus in each horizon report. One of which is near-term horizon which is expected to be in use in institutions within twelve months. Then there is the mid-term horizon that is expected to be in use by one to three yeatrs. The final is the far-term horizon which spans a four to five year period. The Horizon Report for 2010 can be viewed by following this link. A wonderful synopsis of this report for 2010 is eloquently stated by Mary Bart. You can read her entire findings by following this link. I think that she states quite clearly the findings of the report for 2010.

              Follow this link to view NMC Horizon Report for 2009.  Follow this link to view NMC Horizon Report 2007. One thing that the report in 2009 highlights are some key trends and challenges which are as follows:
"Key Trends

Technology is increasingly a means for empowering students, a method for communication and socializing, and a ubiquitous, transparent part of students’ lives. Technology continues to profoundly affect the way we work, collaborate, communicate, and succeed. The perceived value of innovation and creativity is increasing. There is increasing interest in just-in-time, alternate, or non-formal avenues of education, such as online learning, mentoring, and independent study. The way we think of learning environments is changing. Critical

Challenges
Digital media literacy continues its rise in importance as a key skill in every discipline and profession. Students are different, but educational practice and the materials that support it are changing, only slowly. Many policy makers and educators believe that deep reform is needed, but at the same time, there is little agreement as to what a new model of education might look like. A key challenge is the fundamental structure of the K-12 education establishment. Many activities related to learning and education take place outside the walls of the classroom — but these experiences are often undervalued or unacknowledged." 
 
              To view an eloquent analysis of the focus area initiatives from 2008-2010 for the Horizon Report is to follow this link.          
 
               The current technology plan at my school does not support the items outlined in either 2007-2010 Horizon Reports. Networkings sites like Classroom 2.0 will play a part in keeping schools current in technology. Whether or not my school is ready and is trying to advance with the trends of the time; technology will continuously to evolve. The possibility of having gesture based use of the internet and web based autopsy I thought was overtop technology in movies like CSI Miami. Looking at this report it seems the way that the world will be. After a while becoming the norm.

                Can you imagine going into a class and presenting information by using gesture based technology! I would enjoy that lesson and I am sure that my students would too. The Net Gen students are ready for all this technology. Like the challenges like I had listed above state, are the school systems ready though? One of my colleagues in this class seem to be immersed in technology at her school. Some schools are so far behind that it makes you wonder when they will move from just merely presenting the class lesson on merely the overhead projector. Of course, schools will embrace technology in different strides. The mere fact is that whether or not schools drag their feet in getting immersed in technology and prepare 21st century leaners, technology is available and it will keep getting better as the months, no days go by. The questions is will schools be participators or watchers of this new technology that is, may, and will become available!

                   Hope that you found this informative. It was a joy for my to see the NMC Horizon Reports. I am sure that I didn't look at all the reports said. I hope that you walk away from this blog bearing in mind the possibilities for technological use is vast, as is outlined by the report. Similarly, so too are the trends and challenges that school will face vast. I see technology as having a wide variety of items to use; question is, are we going to use any? I see the use of technology in the Classroom as one of the ways to change teaching and learning to being student based, creative, and interesting. Read this article about the Effects ofTechnology in the Classroom.

                    Until we meet again in cyberspace, embrace technology as is availiable at your school. Remember, this is not the end, it is only the beginning of the technological journey that mankind will make.