ERIC Number: EJ1005249
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2013
Pages: 10
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0158-7919
EISSN: N/A
When Prophecy Fails
Baggaley, Jon
Distance Education, v34 n1 p119-128 2013
Inaccurate predictions about educational technology are discussed, and the tendency for them to go unchallenged. Their global generalizability is questionable when the expertise underlying them is restricted to local contexts or is unknown. The limitations of futuristic studies need to be stressed to prevent their conclusions from being applied out of context. Problems arise when studies inaccurately claiming to represent developing-world needs and conditions are used for educational planning in those nations. The article analyzes the predictions made by the annual Horizon Reports and the One Laptop Per Child project. It suggests that these projects are currently responding to criticism in a manner similar to that described in the classic study "When Prophecy Fails". (Contains 1 table and 2 notes.)
Descriptors: Prediction, Educational Technology, Technological Advancement, Adoption (Ideas), Futures (of Society), Expertise, Research, Educational Planning, Context Effect, Delphi Technique, Politics of Education, Educational Finance, Failure, Advisory Committees, Global Approach, Theory Practice Relationship, Criticism, Reliability
Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 325 Chestnut Street Suite 800, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Fax: 215-625-2940; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Evaluative
Education Level: Elementary Secondary Education; Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A