Current and Future Trends in Media and Information

Media and other information providers play a central role in information and communication processes. Nowadays,
media become the common outlet of self-expression and creativity. Its huge influence spreads speedily across the
globe. The connection between technological advances and people’s connectivity created a huge impact on the lives of
today’s generation
1. Massive Open Online Course
Media as one of the fastest means in educating people continue to flourish and innovate. A known example is
the Massive Open Online Course, or MOOC. An online course that offers open access via the Internet for free or at a
low cost. With the continuous growth of media, modernization is anywhere, learning becomes more accessible. In her
work, “What’s A MOOC? History, Principles, and Characteristics”, Amanda Rollins, 2018 emphasized that the technical
pillar of MOOCs is related to distance learning where ideological principal talks about “Education for All”. The first
MOOCs date back to 2008 with online courses by David Wiley, Utah State University and Alex Couros, University of
Regina.
The term Massive Open Online Course was used for the first time by George Siemens” Connectivism and
Connective knowledge”(CCKO8)course. MOOC respects certain technical specifications and four characteristics:
1. Using web formats
2. Collaborative learning
3. Assessing knowledge
4. Time limits

In addition, MOOC offers university-level courses without the need to complete an entire programme of studies,
and are becoming increasingly popular. They offer a large number of students the opportunity to study high-quality
courses online with prestigious universities, often at no cost. They are ideal for independent study and users can select
courses from any institution offering them. MOOCs do not always lead to formal qualifications. There are no entry
requirements.
The following information provided below illustrates how advances in technology affect people’s lives and
interests in the field of education.
 Image Source: https://www.dontwasteyourtime.co.uk/elearning/mooc -infographic/
Moreover, an article by E-Learning Guide on Media and Information Literacy, titled “The Current and Future Trends of
Media and Information” discusses the following.

Massive Open Online Content and its Implications

Massive Open Online Content (MOOC) is defined by Educause as a model for delivering learning content online to any
person who wants to take a course, with no limit on attendance. It can be characterized by the following:
a. A revolutionary approach to education that veers away from the physical to the virtual.
b. A kind of learning that happens online, breaking the norm of traditional schools or universities for higher education.
c. Utilizes information technologies like analytics to help instructors gauge their student’s learning.
d. Emphasis on connectedness.
The Implications
1. By taking learning into virtual space, attendance is no longer a determining factor in one’s education. This
makes MOOC learning a popular alternative for those whose life situations make them unable to attend regular
schools.
2. Managing MOOC is relatively cheaper than running educational institutions. By taking out the experiences of
Universities – which are passed down to students in exorbitant fees- MOOC addresses the high cost of
education.
3. Analytic provides information about the learning process of students. Through the use of data collected through
analytic, MOOC provides a means to improve learning. 4. Since it focuses on connectedness as part of the
learning process, MOOC allows education to take place on a global scale. Connecting learners and instructors
all over the world to one another to maximize education.
Source: https://sites.google.com/view/elearningmil/lessons/the -current-and-future-trends-of-media- and-information

2. Wearable technology is seen to be the up and coming technology of the future. Wearable technologies today are
smart watches. These watches are worn as a typical wristwatch but do more than just tell time. Modern smart
watches perform the same functions as smart phones.

3. Smart watches as a wearable are developed for convenience, but its inability to function as an independent gadget
puts it at a distinct disadvantage.

4. Another example is Fitness tracker. It is derived from smart watches in form and physical design but serves health
applications. Fitness trackers aim to promote health and wellness among its enthusiasts, unfortunately, issues in
their accuracy have been raised in several reviews.

5. Virtual Reality (VR) wearable technology is gradually

growing in popularity among enthusiasts. Oculus, a high-
end VR headsets intended for entertainment has been
released to the public on March 28, 2016. This wearable
technology takes users to computer generated worlds
and let them experience it as if they were actually there.
Oculus have so far received positive reviews among
users. However, concerns were raised about VR
technology’s potential to cause a total disconnect from the physical world.

6. The Concept of 3D Environment

3D or three dimensional in its literal sense refers to anything that has width, height, and depth. The physical
world is an example of a 3D environment. The concept of 3D environment is explored to mimic the physical world in
media.
Films are among the most common media offerings that incorporates 3D. 3D films make objects in their
material appear solid to the audience through the illusion of perception. Earlier 3D motion pictures require audience
to glasses with red and blue lenses.
Another notable development is 3D printing. This technology brings digital data and design to the physical
world literally. The concept of 3D bio-printing or 2D printing, using human materials like tissue ad bones to create
organs or body parts that can be theoretically translated to an actual human body aims to solve that.

7. The Paperless society

The paperless society is a society where communication is done electronically and all forms of printed
communication have become obsolete. It is characterized by the shift from letters to e-mails, newspapers to news web
pages, books to e-books, and so on.
Source: https://sites.google.com/view/elearningmil/lessons/the -current-and-future-trends-of-media- and-information

8. Ubiquitous learning

Ubiquitous learning is common in the age of information. Since the information in the digital age can be
accessed by anyone, at any given time and place, ubiquitous or an ever-present type learning of learning is
possible.

Source: https://sites.google.com/view/elearningmil/lessons/the -current-and-future-trends-of-media- and-information