Eating Dust

You know, it took institutional education about 10 years to finally deal with on a limited use basis the possibilities that exist with new technology.  So, now the schools have labs for computers.  But classrooms still don't have enough computers for every student.  Therefore, the instruction is not using technology except on a rather random, haphazard appointment schedule.  How far behind is a student who can't access the internet for a subject?  Let's just say really far because computers have been available for a really long time (20 years) for commercial use.

Then came cell phones and apps.  Well, the forward thinkers among us have figured out how to use the phone apps for instruction... an app for the particular types of math, apps for literature and grammar, apps for various facets of science, and apps for instruction on anything under the sun, including how to make an app.  Online schools know how to use cell phone technology, adapting some of their online courses to cell phone use starting 2 years ago.  Public schools?  They still take up cell phones in some places, but even if not, the phones are to be pocketed and silenced till break times.  Laughable.

Use of social media has been around for 8-10 years, depending on what you see as the roots of social media.  What a great tool, especially for literature classes, language classes, computer classes, film classes, art classes.  What a great way for anybody, including young people to share knowledge through pictures both still and moving.  Embedded videos into formats like Instagram is something easily done.  Oh yeah, these sites are barred, blocked, and otherwise discouraged for use during school hours for both teachers and students in many places.  Wow!

So, on the announcement by Google of their newest device called Google Glasses, how do you think that will impact education?  It should have an immediate impact.  But, given the history of how long it takes public education to figure out the legitimacy of new technologies, and to work it into actual use for the benefit of the students (remember, computers are in classrooms and schools, just not for every student yet, 20 years after their commercial use), I say another 10-15 years.  By then, holographic applications of the virtual and real worlds will exist and Google glasses will have already become less helpful and useful.  Bizarre if you think about it!

Oh?  Never heard of Google Glasses.  Watch this for 3 1/2 minutes.

The world accelerates to a new height, a new level.  I think now you can understand how much of a quantum leap ahead students will be if they educate themselves through home education associations or through business sponsored schools, through online schools, or through MOOCs, or through just educating themselves.  In a year or two, smart schools will be giving Google Glasses to new enrollees.  That won't put their students just a little bit ahead of public education.  Can you spell Q-U-A-N-T-U-M   L-E-A-P.  A voice command computer lens in front of the eye is something that leaves those who don't have it in the dust.

If I were a dinosaur, and someone told me a huge meteorite was about to smash into the Yucatan Peninsula...