By: Sophia Browne on: Fri 25 of Sep, 2009

Technology such as mobile internet devices and virtual realities will have a profound impact on educational institutions over the next three years, according to a report released at a Griffith University symposium today (September 25).
The findings form part of the Horizon Report: 2009 Australia-New Zealand Edition1, which identifies and describes emerging technologies that will be influential for teaching, learning, and creative expression in the near future.

The report was launched at a one-day symposium hosted by Griffith University's Southbank campus. The symposium explored the educational possibilities of emerging technologies and the National Broadband Network.

Keynote speaker for the event was Dr Larry Johnson, chief executive officer of New Media Consortium - the international body that publishes the Horizon reports.

The Horizon Report identifies that the swift uptake of new mobile phone models with the capacity for educational applications, combined with wider availability of mobile broadband, has catapulted mobiles into the educational realm in Australia and New Zealand, Dr Johnson said.

The report also recognises that virtual, augmented, and alternate realities will be more prominent tools for education in the next two to three years.

Griffith Pro Vice Chancellor (Information Services) Linda O'Brien, who was chair of the Horizon advisory board for this edition, said information and communication technologies had advanced to a point where educational transformation was possible across all sectors of education.

The National Broadband Network provides the much needed infrastructure to realise these opportunities. Ms O'Brien said.

She said the Horizon Report would be available online and the outcomes of the symposium would also be freely available - providing a valuable set of ideas for government agencies, educational institutions and educators.

Source: http://www3.griffith.edu.au/03/ertiki/tiki-read_article.php?articleId=21902

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