In modern society, the educational system has been called
upon to engage in teaching, learning, and research in the name of “progress.”
Toward this end, in the United States, the federal and state governments have
taken an interest in education at all levels with dramatically different
arrangements across the basic levels: while assuming primary responsibility for
elementary and secondary education.
Applications of technology for higher education must be seen
in light of broader societal transformations in the past two decades.
Technology—and more specifically, information and telecommunications
technology—has already become well entrenched in everyday life, so much so that
we often overlook the range of functions served.
An Historical Perspective on the Impact on Education
Although this could easily be a current quote from an Apple
or Microsoft executive about the future of computers, it is, in fact, Thomas
Edison speaking 75 years ago about the motion picture. History demonstrates two
certainties with respect to the impact of technology on education: first,
prognosticators will herald the radical rebirth or inevitable demise of the
educational system; and second, more often than not, their predictions are
wrong. The educational timeline for adoption of technology is dotted with
unexpected failures and unexpected successes.
Conclusion
When considering how technology will affect higher
education, we must also keep in mind that there is no single answer. Since
differentiation has long been the hallmark of higher education in the U.S.,
technological investments and applications are likely to show great variation
across campuses, with dramatically different opportunities available across
different populations of students and faculty. Although we advocate proceeding
with caution, we also believe that it is not useful to react defensively. The
massive technological changes of the new era cannot be resisted; if they are
going to happen, they will happen in spite of defenses.
