This chapter is from the book
This chapter is from the book
This chapter is from the book
Technological innovation
Advancement in technology has a huge impact on our daily lives. In our professional lives we’ve come to depend on the speed and convenience of online communication and collaboration.
The tools we use, such as smartphones, tablets, and laptops, allow us to move around and do our jobs basically anywhere we like (FIGURE 2.2). Just imagine not being able to use online services for a month. It would be a challenge, that’s for sure.
Our private lives have also changed profoundly. Our social interaction often takes place on social networks and via messenger services on our phones. We live our lives both in the real world and in the virtual world. Online videos and (mobile) games are an important source of entertainment. Basically, you could center your life around the devices you use.
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FIGURE 2.2: Tablets then and now.
For some reason, the impact of technology on education is limited. Yes, there is e-learning, but that’s mostly for corporate learning. And when you look at the level of innovation in e-learning, it is quite limited. A lot of e-learning is similar in its design and often based on traditional instruction in a digital environment. You rarely hear people get excited over the prospect of doing an e-learning course.
As the world is changing dramatically, our schools seem to be falling behind. The adaptation of new technology is quite limited in our classrooms. Yes, you will find some laptops, iPads, and a Digi board, but the way students are educated hasn’t changed much overall.
There seems to be hesitation or even fear among educators to invite new technologies into their classrooms. In fact, when I did some research about the use of computers in schools, there was a teacher who strongly resisted any form of modern technology for her students. This teacher may be an exception to the rule, but education has never been known for its progressive and innovative culture.
Don’t fear change, embrace it
At the same time, there’s a growing number of teachers and other learning professionals who are ready for change. They see new possibilities in new technologies, and they want to embrace these possibilities to find new ways of learning and enhance the quality of the learning experiences they offer.
More and more people want to see the way we live and work reflected in the way we learn to get students and professionals ready for today’s and tomorrow’s challenges. And I’m pretty sure you feel the same way. The need for change is a common reason people get into LXD.
Using an approach like LXD can help you to break free from tradition and explore new ways to teach, support, and guide learners in a relevant and contemporary way.
To be clear, LXD is not necessarily about new technology. Technology can play an important role in offering a high-quality learning experience. Obviously, you need to choose and use technology in a way that enables the learner to reach certain goals. It really doesn’t matter if you are using ancient technology or state-of-the-art technology, as long as it gets the job done.