Transcript Ransey Analysis of Three Decades for Toffler`s Threex

AN ANALYSIS OF THREE DECADES FOR
TOFFLER’S THREE WAVE THEORY
INCLUDING THE PROJECTED FOURTH
WAVE
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STUDENT # A00310854
[email protected]
NOVEMBER 20, 2011
EDS IN EDUCATION
SPECIALIZATION: EDUCATIONAL
TECHNOLOGY
Submitted to: Dr. Abbie Brown
Educ 7100
Evolution of Education Technology
INTRODUCTION
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Decades to be analyzed: 1970’s – 1990’s
I chose the decades because I was born in the late 1970’s.
The decades will cover the first twenty two years of my life.
I enjoy reflecting on the technology improvements and
economic ups and downs of these decades.
Technological Advances:
Optical Fiber (1970), Barcode (1974),
Microsoft(1975), Super Computer (1976), Apple II (1977), Space Shuttle
(1981), Artificial Heart (1982), Personal Computer (1983), Apple launch
the MAC (1984), IBM released PC Jr (1984) Genetic Engineering (1985),
Graphic User Interface (1988), World Wide Web, HTTP, and HTML
(1990), Digital Answering Machine (1991), Pentium Processor (1993),
Java computer language (1995), DVD (1995), Web TV (1996), gas powered
fuel cell (1997).
1970 - 1979
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Toffler’s first two waves were complete. We were in the Information Age during this
time.
The technology advances consisted of the Optical Fiber (1970), Barcode (1974),
Microsoft(1975), Super Computer (1976), and Apple II (1977). These advances
changed the way people communicated and performed business operations. The
technology also influenced our educational systems. Many tasks could be completed
faster using technology. Differentiated instruction could take place using computers.
The nature of work: Collaborative teamwork, flexible work hours and locations.
More people working from home. “It comes as no surprise that one of the fastestspreading innovations in industry during the 1970’s was “flextime” (Toffler, 1980, pg
246). Also part-time work became popular during this time.
Educational Theories: Instructional Design was popular at the time. Individually
Prescribed Instruction (IPI), Programs for Learning in Accordance with Needs
(PLAN), and Individually Guided Education (IGE) are systems that began strong
then faded. Technology allowed students to have computer assisted instruction. The
University of Illinois PLATO system was an influential source of CAI (Reiser, 1987,
U.S. Department of Education, 2001).
Nature of Society and culture: The U.S. experienced some major changes during
this decade. People were divided by the Vietnam War. The Paris Peace Accords
ended the U.S. participation in the war in January 1973. Roe V. Wade legalized
abortion. There was an increase in crime. Immigration increased after the
Immigration Act of 1965 was passed. There were other movements involving
farmers, women in politics, and equal rights for minorities.
Economics – The U.S. dealt inflation, recession, and high unemployment. There
were many highly publicized labor disputes.
1980 - 1989
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Toffler’s first two waves were complete and the Information Age continued
during this time.
The technology advances consisted of Space Shuttle (1981), Artificial
Heart (1982), Personal Computer (1983), Apple launch the MAC (1984),
IBM released PC Jr (1984) Genetic Engineering (1985), Graphic User
Interface (1988), These advances changed the way people begin to think
and live. Being able to explore Space was a big technology
accomplishment. Having the ability to save a life using technology was a
milestone for health care. Also, the PC enabled people to make work,
school, and home activities mobile. Technology software became more user
friendly with the invention of GUI.
The nature of work: Collaborative teamwork, flexible work hours and
locations. More people working from home. The service industry began to
increase. Technology allowed some labor intense jobs to be converted to
automatic procedures. There was a decline in the use of labor unions.
Educational Theories: Computers were more accessible in schools.
There was interest in the application of cognitive psychology principles
during the instructional design process. The advancement of technology
called for new models of ID. Computers began to be used “as tools to
automate some instructional design tasks” (Merrill & Li, 1989). Reiser
(1987) reported that “Due to its interactive capabilities, the computer can
be programmed to adapt instruction to the needs of the individual
learners” (Ying Wang, Chadha, and Dixon, 2006).
1980 – 1989 CONT.
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Nature of Society and culture: Families changes continued from the
60’s and 70’s more divorces, more single parents, and more unmarried
people living together. Two income families were more common. More
women earned college and advance degrees. These women had fewer
children. Medicare was created with the help of the late Senator Ted
Kennedy. (Whitley, P. 2008).
Economics – The U.S. experienced a deep recession throughout 1982.
Farmers were affected, as agricultural exports declined, crop prices fell,
and interest rates rose. By 1983, inflation had eased, the economy had
rebounded, and the U. S. began a sustained period of economic growth
(U.S. Department of State, 2011 About.com)
1990 - 1999
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Toffler’s first two waves are complete we were in the Information Age
heading into the fourth projected wave the Communication Age.
The technology advances: World Wide Web, HTTP, and HTML (1990),
Digital Answering Machine (1991), Pentium Processor (1993), Java
computer language (1995), DVD (1995), Web TV (1996), gas powered fuel
cell (1997). The advancements in technology made the 90’s the digital or
electronic age. The internet enhance the way we communicated. Cell
phones gave us greater accessibility to our family, friends, and co-workers.
Information became easier to access also using the internet. Computers
became even smaller making them even easier to transport. Online
education became more popular during this time also.
The nature of work: Collaborative teamwork, flexible work hours and
locations. More people working from home. Internet businesses were
created. Global collaboration using technology.
Educational Theories: Enrollment in distance learning facilities for
higher education increased. Educational technology became one of the six
top issues in schools (Roberts, 1996), the National Educational Association
emphasized the importance of preparing new teachers to use technology,
and the Office of Educational Research and Improvement awarded five
grants for Regional Technology Centers to provide technical assistance to
schools (Ying Wang, Chadha, and Dixon, 2006). The ERIC went online
during this time.
1990 – 1999 CONT.
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Nature of Society and culture: Society as a whole was more diversified.
The increased diversity will continue into the next decade. The U.S. begin
to police or protect other countries. Sometimes the U. S. would act alone or
with our alliances. The Gulf War began during this time and some people
were for the wars while others were against them. Our troops became
involved in many situations involving other countries. The U.S. attempted
to play peace keeper, enforcer, and arbitrator throughout the world
(Whitley, P., Bradley, B., Sutton, B., and Goodwin, S. 2011).
Economics –Unemployment was low because of the booming economy.
Minimum wage was increased to $5.15 The stock market was high and
individuals learned how to use the internet to buy and trade stock.
CONCLUSION
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During these three decades the technological advances
influenced or society in many ways. The work environment
was changed through increased productivity, flexibility,
and collaboration. The health and science field were
changed because some of the inventions made healthcare
easier to manage. Education changed drastically because
the technology supported different types of teaching
strategies. Communication evolved into email, text, instant
messaging, cell phones, and internet chats, etc. Information
went for being something we had to seek to find to
something that is right at our fingertips. As we continue to
move into the Communication Age I hope we don’t lose
sight of the foundation of face-to-face communication. I
think there is still a need for this no matter how tech savvy
we get. IPhones have a “face time” features which is proof
that some people would like to see who they are talking to
sometimes.
REFERENCES
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Saettler, P. (2004). The evolution of american educational technology.
Greenwich, CT: Information Age Publishing
Gillis, C. "1970-1979." (2010) American Cultural History. Lone Star CollegeKingwood Library,
Kingwood, TX. Retrieved from
http://wwwappskc.lonestar.edu/popculture/decade70.html
Whitley, P. (2008). 1980-1989. American Cultural History. Lone Star CollegeKingwood Library, Kingwood, TX. Retrieved from http://wwwappskc.lonestar.edu/
popculture/decade80.html
Whitley, P., Bradley, B., Sutton, B., and Goodwin, S. (2011). 1990-1999. American
Cultural History. Lone Star College-Kingwood Library, Kingwood, TX. Retrieved
from http://wwwappskc.lonestar.edu/
popculture/decade90.html
Ying Wang, Chadha, and Dixon, (2006). Major Developments in Instructional
Technology: During the 20th Century. Retrieved from
http://www.indiana.edu/~idt/shortpapers/documents/ITduring20.html
Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2008). Evolution of educational
technology in society, education, and the workplace. Baltimore: Author.
Toffler, A. (1980). The third wave. New York: Bantam.