Identify an Emerged Technology

• Identify a current technology that has emerged in the last few years that shapes learning or productivity in your industry.

Dr. David Thornburg (2009a) provides so many wonderful examples of emerging technologies that it is hard to follow up with a future technology that rivals. Looking outside the box at newer items that have become well known within the past few years, I keep coming back to the E-Reader. Whatever an individual’s preference; Kindle, Sony, IPad, Samsung, etc… E-Readers are taking textbooks and novels to a new level that was not previously available.

• What problems or challenges have been associated with this technology?
I think there are several reasons why the E-Reader still has improvements that are needed before it replaces, dare I say it, the textbook. Elyse Andrews (2010) discusses cost as a negative factor. E-Readers still carry a price tag that is surmountable versus the cost of a book plus once the unit is purchased, the materials (books, magazines, journals, etc..) are an additional cost. Another factor to consider is that some individuals like the touch, feel, and smell of a book, as odd as that sounds. Andrews (2010) says that it takes her from her library, which doesn’t cost anything. The last piece is that publishers cannot make a decision on what format to use. This leaves the customer wondering which product will support the book he/she likes to read the most.

• What societal need does it meet, and what are its benefits?

Although E-Readers have their issues, as does any technology/innovation, there are factors that will allow the product to stay around. One important factor is convenience. We live in a society where individuals want to be self indulged right now. Most E-Readers allow individuals to download the book in real time for their reading pleasure. Additionally, an individual can hold hundreds of books on one E-Reader and not have to lug around a bag full of books. One last piece of information, E-Readers can benefit educational institutions that are seeing a continual rise in the cost of the texts they purchase for the students. These costs are then passed onto the student through tuition, taxes, or through other various organizations willing to foot the bill. The cost for publishers to produce the electronic version of a book is minimal compared to the cost of publishing.

• What would make this technology even better, avoiding the pitfalls you identified?

In order for this technology to completely change the way we view books, cost will have to come down to what consumers feel is an acceptable level. Kindle, which is manufactured by Amazon, has decreased the cost of its E-Readers as new versions of the product have become available. Additionally, I believe that a consistent software/technology platform is needed.

The following link provides insight into E-Readers including Q&A, Products, Articles and more:

http://www.ereaders.net/

References:

Andrews, E. (2010). Problems and solutions for e-readers. Retrieved September 16, 2010 from http://www.cabot.net/Issues/CWA/Archives/2010/01/Problems-Solutions-E-Readers.aspx

Thornburg, D. D. (2009a). Current trends in educational technology. Lake Barrington, IL: Thornburg Center for Space Exploration.