I’ve noticed
something interesting about educational institutions over the years. Usually,
once they have researched, procured, and installed
a
showcase 3D or VR environment,
that’s the last you will hear about it. That’s
explains why I often pursue a long-term reporting strategy. Simply stated, I
like to follow up. I am curious to see what has happened, to see if a project
has evolved or quietly vanished into educational anonymity. Take the 3D
visualization initiative at Nevada State College, for example. After I penned
my first piece, Nevada State College Flies High, I wrote a follow-up piece,
Unparalleled Learning. That explains why
I returned to the outskirts of Las Vegas to visit Nevada State for a third
time.
In the past two years, Nevada State College has experienced a building and enrollment boom. But with their venerable 3D instructional infrastructure in place, and new construction becoming the new major emphasis, did 3D visualization and display technology take a back seat? Stay tuned for next week’s post on what I saw on my third trip. It's all about the long view...
Dear Len,
ReplyDeleteI'll wait for your next post :)
Do you mean these technologies or the content are becoming obsolete? or teachers not (enough) trained? TY for your study. Regards, Nicolas Mahe - IRDNA (connected on Linkedin 1st)
Yes, the answer will be revealed in the next two posts. No, the technologies/content are not necessarily growing so desperately obsolete. But here is a preview of what actually CAN BE occurring:
ReplyDeleteEducational settings are both complex and idiosyncratic; there is no single explanation for why a technology may seem to disappear. Here are a few cases i have seen:
- the technology may morph
- the technology may undergo a name change, a platform change, a technical change
- the teachers involved may retire or move elsewhere
- the administrators overseeing the initiative move on to other priorities, leaving this in place, but focusing all attention on "the next big thing."
- Reporters, journals and conference session gatekeepers have also moved on in terms of dedicated print space to "the next big thing."
- Educational institutions are not facile at shouting their own successes.