Every so often, I go back to my roots. When I was teaching, I learned pretty quickly that being reflective was a great way to look ahead. Even today, I like to revisit the articles, websites and stories that got me into the Learning Technologies in Education field in the first place. People like Marc Prensky, Alan November, David Warlick and Jamie MacKenzie, among others. Many of the messages don’t change, but obviously a lot do.

I also find that looking at citations of people like these takes me to other interesting places too. I’m reminded of how, when Dirk Gently was lost, he would find someone who looked as though they knew where they were going and follow them. This would sometimes get him to his destination, but more often take him somewhere that was far more interesting.



So I was looking for some research material to back up Prensky’s claim that often “students have to power down when they come to school”. This led me to an article by Kathy Fredrickson, who was talking to her students about work and was told “I would prefer to have a job where I can listen to music, instant message and work at the same time.” She goes on to ask how many employers would allow that.



I must admit I found it quite thought-provoking. If the nature of learning has been changed by digital technologies, what about the nature of work? In many ways, the changes in the workplace due to ICT infiltration are more pronounced than in schools. My good friend Leah Vogler tells a great story about her dad. He was a Haulpak engineer. When he was close to retirement he was given a laptop,  as the engine diagnostics interfaced directly onto a computer.



Computers are so prevalent in the workplace now, but their use is generally task-driven and quite specific. Is that what makes them so commonplace? In many cases the computers in our schools seem to be there because someone thought it would be a good idea to have them there. I couldn’t see many businesses buying stacks of hardware and networking gear without a really clear idea of what the benefits would be .... but that’s a post for another day.

In the meantime, what are your views on how the workplace might change as the next generation of workers comes through?

DrJim


Image Citations
Haulpak - http://www.flickr.com/photos/subiyurek/1369200793/
Multitasking - http://www.flickr.com/photos/thomaspurves/361807318/
Dirk Gently - http://www.audioeditions.com/showauthors.cfm?author_tex=Douglas%20Adams