In response to: @suifaijohnmak: Tell me more about this beginning of the instructional technology universe. Do you mean MOOCs or something more?
I definitely think that we are seeing only the tip of the iceberg in the area of instructional technology. MOOCs are solid and dynamic new paradigms; but in the near future, the possibilities in this area are so enormous that we cannot predict what this ocean of possibilities will be able to offer us. This area will become more accessible, and even more massive and affordable. This technology will not replace teachers but will enhance their performance. We will need more in depth theorization and research not only in the tools but specifically in the domain of instructional technology virtualization.
In the future, we will have platforms that are/have:
- faster
- capable of hosting an enormous amount of data and interaction
- improved SEO (Search Engine Optimization)
- more mobile-friendly
- equipped with powerful syndication technologies
- massive meta-courses that will replace the concept of MOOCs
- user centered platforms instead of teacher centered
- better accessibility: http://www.resource.com/2012/09/better-accessibility-better-seo/ (including support for monolingual people – accurate and dynamic translation)
- more SOE (Standard Operating Environment)
- more relaxed audio-visual integration
- equipped with better authentication tools to offer personalized support and clear interaction
and then…
- intelligent software: like automated agents you can interrelate with using NLP and AI
Furthermore, the improvements will come from the physical classroom technologies projecting the physical classroom into virtual space. Many of our classrooms are already equipped with HD cameras connected to the network and have friendly Wi-Fi interaction with multiple devices. All this technologies will become better and cheaper at an exponential rate.
Moreover, the real revolutionary explosion of new possibilities will arise when the instructors, not the theorists or developers, have the possibility of manipulating these technologies. We are getting there.