Tour C: Distributed Learning-Impact of Technology Trends

Tour C: Distributed Learning -Impact of Technology Trends

Launch Pad: Any Internet computer Liftoff Date: 3/9/99

Same Old Navigator: Bruce Bird

CALT Home Page ( http://www.aacc.cc.md.us/calt )

For those who are reading the printed text for this tour it is also on the Web at http://www.aacc.cc.md.us/calt/tour_c_distributed_learning.htm

Technology Trends

Computer trends

Hardware: ------> Larger, faster, cheaper

Web software: Static text and images ------>Dynamic, interactive multimedia, streaming media

RealNetworks - The Home of Streaming Media (CALT/ElectronicPublishing/ Streaming Media)*

CALT: Streaming Media Examples (CALT/Examples/Streaming Media)

CALT: Flash movies (CALT/Examples/Flash Movies)

Interface: Keyboard --------->Microphone

Network trends

Bandwidth: 28.8 Kbps ------------> 2000 Kbps

Delivery: xDSL, Cable, Wireless, Satellite

High-Speed Surfing - February 1999        (CALT/Trends/Technology)

Unwiring the World!                                  (CALT/Trends/Technology)

Bell Atlantic: Infospeed DSL   "Tired of waiting for downloads? Want to get more from your PC? Tap into the Web's true potential and use it the way you want to. Your existing phone line becomes a dedicated high-speed connection that ends the hassle of dial up and busy signals. Experience video, audio, and enhanced graphics - all at speeds up to 240 times faster than your old 28.8 modem. "

Convergence

TV-Internet-Phone-Computer

Streamaster Development Environment (CALT/Trends/Technology)

WebTV (CALT/Trends/Technology)

Variety

Laptop - handheld - home entertainment centers-wearable computers - video phone -

Microvision-Technology (CALT/Trends/Technology)

Palm Computing

Impact on Distributed Learning

Students: More can afford access, more with Web experience -------> increasing fraction of students will take distributed learning courses

Student expectations: Based on Web experience they will expect increasingly sophisticated Web courses that include chat, white board, group conferencing, interactive multimedia, video conferencing, streaming media (audio, video,images, text), etc.

Teaching and Learning: Extensive evaluation of the relative effectiveness of various methods of using the new technology will be needed.

Supplier: Traditional educational organizations will face increased competition from commercial organizations and other educational institutions. Geography no longer creates monopoly status.

California Virtual University Western Governors University (CALT/Learning)

Electronic Campus of Virginia (CALT/Learning)

Real Education IntraLearn (CALT/Learning)

Corporate University Xchange Pangaea Network (CALT/Trends)

NETFUTURE (CALT/Trends)

Questions: Will a "value shift" occur in education similar to the "value shifts" that have occurred in other fields?

Will the economic value of distributed education courses benefit from the "network effect"?

Will a future Physics 111 student study from a Web page that has an underarm deodorant commercial blinking at her from the middle of the page?

If a corporation offers to teach Web based courses at $30 a credit hour, will State officials accept the offer? The corporation will expect to provide advertising on instructional Web pages and to acquire student profiles as part of the deal.

See the attached article by Chuck Martin, "The Great Value Shift", NewMedia, March, 1999 and his book: Net Future : The 7 Cybertrends That Will Drive Your Business, Create New Wealth, and Define Your Future, McGraw-Hill, 1998.

Also see "What Are the Rules, Anyway?, by Hal Varian and Carl Shapiro, Technology Review, March-April, 1999, and their book: Information Rules: A Strategic Guide to the Network Economy , Harvard Business School Press, 1998.

"Shapiro and Varian explain how to maximize the value of intellectual property, differentiate products, lock in customers, negotiate standards alliances, and benefit from so-called "network effects" - the idea that the value of some goods depends upon the number of people that use them."

Has the value shift already started?

RadioShack "Give your family a next-generation Compaq. Give your next generation better grades. Compaq's perfect family PCs-only at RadioShack. These high-powered, full-featured PCs have all kinds of software to help students of all ages do better in school. Internet enhancements ideal for reports. Features made to order for homework.The latest tools for better grades from trusted names like Disney, The Learning Company, Broderbund, and Microsoft, including: Sesame Street: Get Set for Kindergarten Deluxe, Disney’s Daily Blast, Where in Time is Carmen Sandiego?, New Millennium World Atlas Deluxe, National Geographic the ‘90s, Microsoft Word."

MicronPC.com, Home Computers

MicronPC.com: Micron U "Save thousands of dollars on computer training with Micron U. Micron U gives individuals and companies access to hundreds of online classes, tutorials and seminars, all designed to provide you with the tools you need to win in today's new economy. You can take as many classes or tutorials as you want, plus you can set your own training schedule so it doesn't interfere with your day-to-day operations.

Sign up for as many classes as you'd like. Topics include everything from building your first Web site to programming in C++ and Visual Basic, from honing your Internet search techniques to maintaining your own PC.

Tell us your typical online training needs and we'll calculate your savings.

•Course Catagory Calculator •Savings Worksheet

Micron U, a unique joint project between Micron, Microsoft and Ziff-Davis (the leader in online training and publisher of PC Week and PC Magazine), covers the hottest topics in computing and business today."

Free PCs, Net access tempt schools "Dec. 6 — It sounds too good to be true: a computer lab decked out with 15 high-end PCs, Net access and plenty of software — all free to any school signing up with a company called ZapMe! Corp. The offer is bona fide, but it also requires that students get to the Web via an ad-based browser and that their marketing habits are tracked by companies anxious to sell to them."

Electronic School: E-Wire: January 1999 "ZapMe! has been testing its program in about a dozen San Francisco Bay Area schools and is now taking it national. At press time, it was planning to connect as many as 500 schools by the end of 1998 and had received inquiries from more than 8,000."

"The company's package includes a high-speed satellite connection on the school's rooftop, a lab with 15 personal computers, and a server and laser printer. In addition, ZapMe! provides training for students and teachers and support for installation, maintenance, and upgrades. "

UPDATE

(9/3/99) The Chronicle: Information Technology: September 3, 1999 Colleges Get Free Web Pages, but With a Catch: Advertising by GOLDIE BLUMENSTYK. Companies offer sites with on-line schedules and e-mail to send marketing pitches to students

Have fun. Build (and protect) the future.

*Most of the hyperlinks given in this article along with related links can be found at the CALT Web site.

RealNetworks - The Home of Streaming Media	(CALT/ElectronicPublishing/ Streaming Media)*
CALT: Streaming Media Examples	(CALT/Examples/Streaming Media)
CALT: Flash movies	(CALT/Examples/Flash Movies)

Students:	More can afford access, more with Web experience -------> increasing fraction of students will take distributed learning courses
Student expectations:	Based on Web experience they will expect increasingly sophisticated Web courses that include chat, white board, group conferencing, interactive multimedia, video conferencing, streaming media (audio, video,images, text), etc.
Teaching and Learning:	Extensive evaluation of the relative effectiveness of various methods of using the new technology will be needed.
Supplier:	Traditional educational organizations will face increased competition from commercial organizations and other educational institutions. Geography no longer creates monopoly status.

California Virtual University	Western Governors University	(CALT/Learning)
Electronic Campus of Virginia		(CALT/Learning)
Real Education	IntraLearn	(CALT/Learning)
Corporate University Xchange	Pangaea Network	(CALT/Trends)
NETFUTURE		(CALT/Trends)

Questions:	Will a "value shift" occur in education similar to the "value shifts" that have occurred in other fields?
	Will the economic value of distributed education courses benefit from the "network effect"?
	Will a future Physics 111 student study from a Web page that has an underarm deodorant commercial blinking at her from the middle of the page?
	If a corporation offers to teach Web based courses at $30 a credit hour, will State officials accept the offer? The corporation will expect to provide advertising on instructional Web pages and to acquire student profiles as part of the deal.