Additional Reflections for RCS497 Edgewood

I came across an article today from BBC News Technology.

                  Third of adults 'use smartphone' says Ofcom report (1)

This ties in well with the reflection questions and the readings Kathleen has assigned. We have seen so many technological booms in our lifetime, and have become even more aware since becoming IT professionals. It fascinates me how differently technology is used and viewed by varying age groups.

In looking at the 3rd of the adult UK population using smartphones, it broke down the percent of usages between adults and teen agers. Not surprisingly, adults tended to use their smartphones for more practical uses – Primarily for email, web access and Social networking. Then in smaller quantities - GPS, News and sports. Teens on the other hand, massively out weighed the adult use. Their big three were Social Networking, music, and games. Followed by email, taking photos/video, internet, instant messaging.

This general overview gives us a good glimpse into how each new “technological generation” embraces technology differently. Expectations and needs are quite different. Granted, adults will always tend to be more pragmatic than teenagers when using these devices. It the “Tool vs. Toy” mentality (which I struggle with ALL the time – having an internal age MUCH younger than my physical one). But even considering that factor, younger users are savvy, and quick to pick up on many of the new applications available.

The article also looked at “regular’ internet use –and how it’s use is changing. As more and more of the population becomes “I grew up with that technology”, more demand for smaller, faster, less complicated interfaces will be expected. The mouse was a wonderful invention, it allowed for a much better computing experience. Now, however, touch screens on portable devices is the trend. I see in the future devices that will follow finger/hand movement with no physical contact with the device. Already we have cameras that follow where your eye is looking in the viewfinder. This same technology could be added to smart devices, even “SmartGlass” perhaps.

In any event, mass amounts of viable applications, and ease of use will drive the market and the technology we will shortly see coming our way. As the Baby Boomers move out of the main focus for product sales, it will be interesting to see what the new trends will bring – marketing to a whole generation who have always had video games, computers, and for most of their lives – the internet. The 2020 Super Bowel commercials will certainly be interesting to say the least.

(1) http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-14397101

Classes at Edgewood are almost complete

In the summer of 2006 I started a new journey for me.  College.  Edgewood College -  Madison WI to be exact.  I was in the RAAD program – Returning Adults.  It’s been quite the ride.  I did take off for about a year when my wife became very ill, so it’s taken a little longer to get my Bachelors.

For anyone considering going back to school, or just want to attend a great local college, look at Edgewood.  The faculty is outstanding.  I have had Professors and instructors that were wonderful.  New doors have been opened to me.  I have met great people who have tolerated my oddities, and have been a pleasure to work with on group projects.  This has been a long run, I am looking forward to the finish line, and many things yet to come. 

Edgewood RCS497 Reflective Question - 6

In what ways has approaches to learning to use technology changed in the past 5 years?  What are the ways it remains the same?

Looking at the product changes that have occurred in the last 5 years have affected what we perceive as the norm in expectations of said products.  I think that this has had a great influence on how the general public has learned to use new technology.

For example,  large change that has taken place recently was with the introduction of the iPhone. The iPhone took the smart phone / digital phone to a whole new level.  Not only did it perfect the touch pad, add new features unavailable on other phones,  but it also encouraged others to create new apps.  In fact it was the introduction of these new apps made it so powerful and a marketing dynamo.  The public now had a small portable technology that was far more than just a cell phone.  New applications could be down loaded quickly and start functioning within minutes.  Learning to use the iphone was very simple, as it followed simple touch logic.  Apple has taken technology and tried to make the interface simple and intuitive.  The iphone came out in 2007, just look at the advances in the smart / digital phones who have emulated Apple.

Blogging has certainly taken off in  trying to help others understand technologies.  Again it is often product or type driven ( ipod, iPad, Droid, Windows 7, and GPS systems for example).  Social networking sites, Twitter, forums – these have all blossomed with advice on what to do, how to upgrade, how to hack or root your systems.  I have a feeling that more and more people are just Googling to find answers on how to.

YouTube has also exploded in great video that visually step you through the process.  Online information and help has, I feel, become the norm for most people.  It has a flood of advice (both good and bad) that can be extremely useful. 

Still, there is always the: hey I’ll buy it, or install it, and just play with it till I figure it out.  There is still the guy on late night TV that is offering courses on CD that walk a person though how to use Office, or Ebay, or Google.  Everything comes with instruction manuals and 800 numbers to contact about their product.  FAQ’s, Manufactures web sites, friends, family, and co-workers still stand the test of time for asking about new technology.