Media and Information: Trends & Tech Impact

Media and Information Literacy - Current and Future Trends in Media and Information

• Media and information providers play a pivotal role in information dissemination and communication.
• Media has become a commonplace medium for self-expression and creativity.
• Media's widespread influence is largely because of technological advancements and global connectivity.

Technology: Opportunities and Challenges

• Technology presents both opportunities and challenges to humanity.
• While the internet offers new ways of empowerment and convenience it can also be a conduit for digital divide and fraud.
• Media serves several functions across sectors like politics, business, economy, personal and social life, and education.

Massive Open Online Course (MOOC)

• Massive Open Online Courses (MOOC) are online courses that provide open access via the internet for free or at a low cost.
• Learning is becoming increasingly accessible through the continuous growth of media and modernization.
• Amanda Rollins highlights that a technical pillar of MOOCs is distance learning.
• A pillar of MOOCs involves "Education for All".
• The initial MOOCs can be traced back to 2008 with online courses by David Wiley (Utah State University) and Alex Couros (University of Regina).
• George Siemens first used the term Massive Open Online Course, in reference to "Connectivism and Connective knowledge" (CCKO8) course.
• MOOCs adhere to specific technical specifications and four characteristics:
  • Using web formats
  • Collaborative learning
  • Assessing knowledge
  • Time limits
• MOOCs have become progressively common, offering university-level courses without requiring a full program completion.
• MOOCs provide numerous students the opportunity to study high-quality courses online with prestigious universities, often without any cost.
• They are suited for independent study, enabling users to choose courses from any offering institution.
• MOOCs may not always result in formal qualifications and have no entry requirements.

MOOC Benefits

• Many MOOCs are free.
• MOOCs are accessible to anyone interested, unless some accreditation form is involved.
• Learning occurs informally at the pace of the participant.
• All that is required is a computer and an internet connection.
• Participants do not need to enroll in the MOOC’s host institution, which may have costly fees.
• Work can be shared, viewed, and critiqued by all participants.
• Outstanding professors and industry leaders can reach more students worldwide.

MOOC Issues

• MOOC providers can currently offer courses at no cost.
• MOOC providers cannot guarantee courses indefinitely for free.
• Students are unable to socialize or engage in real-world experiences.
• Technical difficulties with a participant's computer or internet connection can impede learning.
• Students may be used to, or simply prefer the structure a traditional college course offers.
• Academic dishonesty may occur due to lack of supervision.
• Students need to become responsible for their own learning.

MOOC Implications

• Educause defines Massive Open Online Content (MOOC) as a model for delivering online learning content to anyone interested in a course regardless of attendance.
• MOOC can be characterized by:
  • Revolutionary approach to education, moving aways form physical to the virtual.
  • Kind of learning that occurs online, breaking from traditional schools or universities for higher education.
  • Utilization of information technologies like analytics to help instructors gauge their students’ learning.
  • Emphasis on connectedness.
• The implications of using virtual spaces means attendance is no longer a determining factor in education.
• MOOC learning is a popular alternative for individuals unable to attend regular schools.
• Managing MOOC is relatively cheaper than running educational institutions.
• MOOC addresses the high cost of education.
• Analytics offer insights into the student learning process.
• MOOCs provide a way to improve learning through the use of data collected through analytics.
• MOOC focuses on connectedness allowing educational access to occur on a global scale.
• MOOCS connect instructors to learners all over the world to maximize education.

Wearable Technology

• Wearable technology is expected to become a prevalent technology.
• Smart watches are an example of wearable technologies.
• Smart watches are worn on the wrist and perform the same functions as a smartphone.
• Smart watches are developed for convenience but its inability to function independently is a drawback.

Wellness and Fitness Trackers

• Fitness trackers are another example, derived from smart watches, but serving specific health applications.
• Fitness trackers promote health and wellness, but there are issues with the accuracy of their reviews.

Virtual Reality (VR)

• Virtual Reality is gradually gaining popularity.
• Oculus is a high-end VR headset intended for entertainment, released to the public on March 28, 2016.
• VR technology transports users to the computer generated world and makes it feel like they are actually there.
• Oculus has received positive reviews from users so far.
• Concerns were raised about VR technology causing a total disconnect from the physical world.

3D Environment

• 3D, or three-dimensional has the literal sense referring to anything that has width, height, and depth.
• The physical world is an example of 3D environments.
• The concept of 3D environment explores the possibility of mimicking the physical world in media.
• Films are among the most common media offerings that incorporates 3D.
• 3D films make objects in their material appear solid through the illusion of perception.
• Earlier 3D motion pictures required audiences to wear glasses with red and blue lenses.
• Another notable development is 3D printing.
• This technology brings digital data and design to the physical world.
• 3D bio-printing or 2D printing using human materials to create organs or body parts to solve human ailments.

Paperless Society

• The paperless society is where communication is done electronically, and all forms of printed communication have become obsolete.
• Paperless societies shift:
  • Letters become e-mails.
  • Newspapers move to news web pages.
  • Books transform into e-books.

Ubiquitous Learning

• Ubiquitous learning is common in the age of information.
• Information in the digital age can be accessed at any given time and place.
• Ubiquitous learning is an ever-present type of learning.