Examination of the Impact of Emerging Technologies on eLearning

Abstract

eLearning has, to date, mostly been a matter of content being displayed on PCs running Windows, Linux, or MAC OS. Emerging technologies have recently, however, expanded the capabilities and scope of portable and mobile devices to such a degree that it is possible to use them as eLearning media much more effectively than it was even a year ago. Devices such as PDAs with high resolution screens, phones with higher bandwidth for image and video exchange, iPod and other portable video players, and built-in WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity have significantly altered the eLearning system designer¿s job and responsibilities. New interface ideas, taking into account the need for engaging and multi- modal access to eLearning content, have added to the possibilities for eLearning systems. This paper describes the approaches we are taking in the eLearning project at our institute to address the impact these technologies have and will have in the future. Specifically, the paper will examine work we are undertaking on new interface paradigms and on emerging devices such as the Sony Reader and Nokia 770 WIFI enabled web tablet.