2 Chapter Innovative technologies as Pedagogy

BROADBAND. One trend we are already seeing to some degree is the use of broadband that allows the visual and moving data to be transmitted at speeds that are sufficiently fast for people to feel comfortable. However, the rollout of broadband has not been without difficulties. The potential for more flexible multimedia delivery of language instruction will rely on broadband. Without it, we can't have streaming video, and even the audio files and highly intensive graphical interfaces take too long to download. New media is the ability to have realia "just-in-time", that is when the learner or teacher need it.

CONVERGENCE. For many of us, digital technologies are difficult for our lives because of the overwhelming number of new devices that need shlef and table space in our homes or offices: we have a fax machine for sending copies of print materials; we have a mobile phone to receive or send messages while travelling; we have a TV to receive a free-to-air, or pay-per-view entertainment; we have a CD or DVD to listen our favourite music: children have a game machine to play computer games;

WIRELESS COMMUNICATION. One of the constraints of current computer technologies for email, net surfing, word processing and so on, is that even with laptops, batteries have a short life, and to be connected to network, oneneeds either a direct connection or a connection over a telephone line. This has restricted use in countries where electrical power, and telephones are either scarce and unreliable, it means anytime, anywhere communication is still not possible. The use of Wireless technology has been available for several years.

MINIATURISATION. A complementary technology is the handheld that now can be used for almost all functions of desktop computer. These devices augment physical space, leverage topological space, and create " more distributed systems peer-to-peer network topology.

DISCUSSION SUPPORT SOFTWARE. There have been several attempts at using computers to organize discussions, but most have floundered because humans have preferred to interact with a little technical mediation as possible. Some recent systems in current research and development may hold out more hope for such software. IBM is experimenting with two systems. One, called Babble, displays a window in which dots within a circle show who is in the current conversation. The closeness of the dots th the center of the circle indicates how recently person has contributed to the discussion. There is another window where participants can nominate and prioritize discussion topics. A typescript from the discussion indicates both what was "said" and the time lapses between contributions. The second more recently developed system expandes on Babble and includes the ability to post "Post it" notes and provides information about the physical location of participants.