It is always difficult and a bit dangerous to try to predict the future of ICT in education, nevertheless, I believe that at the recent Handheld Learning Conference, we might have had a glimpse of that future. Let me try to explain what I mean.

It does not take great insight to see the timeline progression from Desktop to Laptop to Handheld device (in this timeline I’d see the netbook as a stopgap device between laptop and handheld in that it retains much of the functionality of a laptop but does not quite fit in your pocket). This would appear to suggest that the future lies in handheld devices.

I am yet to be convinced, however, that current mobile phones or gaming consoles such as the Nintendo DS or Sony PSP devices represent in any way the handheld computing devices of the future.

What is not so readily evident is the learning environment behind the devices. Originally we used standalone machines that required content to be loaded on to them before they could be used to support learning. Then the environment moved to networked machines that meant that content stored centrally within an institution could be utilised by any or all devices. With the advent of networking, came the ability to share and collaborate with other users. In time, the networks expanded and connected with other networks with the advent of the internet, thus these devices could access a vast array of information. Also at this time, we saw the learner being able to access the information from almost any device; not just those in an institution but also devices at home.

In recent years we have seen the arrival of devices that allow a user to access content while on the move. Initially, these devices were fairly limted in what they could access but the technology has been developed rapidly and the facilities of such mobile tools have expanded rapidly. The approach of the iphone with its apps store has been followed by other manufacturers and so a new type of mobile computing device has been born; one that can access and manipulate content from almost any location.

So the question must be asked, why have a device at home, a device at school and a device in your pocket that can all do the same thing? Would not just one device, which you can use anywhere, be a more sensible approach?

I know, I know… that one device does not yet fully exist; which is why I say we had a ‘glimpse’ at the Handheld Learning Conference. It was a tantalising glimpse and an exciting one and I am sure I am not the first to have had such a glimpse.

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