Predictions for the future

[Suzan Stamper]

Post a prediction for the CALL-IS or for the use of computers in ESL/EFL.

In five years (2014) . . .
In ten years (2019) . . .
In twenty years (2029) . . .
In twenty-five years (2034) . . .
or ???

(These predictions will be added to a time capsule in Denver at TESOL 2009.)

[Elizabeth Hanson-Smith]

2014 - total convergence. My grand-daughter holds up the cell phone for her caller and says "Look!" That's more like what it will be. (Of course, then we will have to get out those masks to wear when on our computer and we're not quite dressed yet... see Infinite Jest)

[Susan Gaer]

In five years, all schools will have Internet access easily and seamlessly
In 10 years, cell phones will no longer be banned from most classrooms

[Vance Stevens]

I always liked Elizabeth Hanson-Smith's prediction "There will always be MORE technology". How true.

Apart from that, http://wp.nmc.org/horizon2009/

Vance

[Sandy Wagner]

I agree with Elizabeth on total convergence. Those applications that are "add-ons" will become the standard.

In five years, webcams will be a standard of all computer systems and we will become truly transparent (scary, isnt it?)
In five years, a new technology culture will emerge, embracing its own language and communication conventions
In ten years, all teachers will be required to be computer literate

[Christine Bauer-Ramazani]

5 years -- TESOL will finally be adding a virtual strand to its conventions, like EUROCALL, CALICO, IATEFL have been doing.
10 years -- We'll be carrying around wireless devices doing social networking and professional work via voice all on one machine.
25 years -- Another generation ... I'd hate to think of what will have this new generation hooked that further reduces real communication among people.

[Tom Robb]

In five years (2014) CALL-IS will be renamed the TIE-IS (Technology in Education Interest Section)
In ten years (2019) much energy will be focused on the use of handhelds in the classroom.

[Deborah Healey]

On the down side:
In five years, we'll be spammed in every conceivable way, including social networking sites and virtual worlds. Legislation will be introduced to deal with virtual crimes - for example, virtual rape will be considered a crime as significant as physical rape. There will be disputes over ownership of anything and everything on the Internet - content aggregators will be the prime offenders, laying claim to anything on or through their portals, but those sites that offer online collaboration spaces (think Google docs) won't be far behind. The heirs of Tim Berners-Lee will be suing for the right to royalties on use of the Web (okay, so maybe they won't have any way to do that, and Tim may still be alive).

In ten years, we will may have figured out how to use a virtual wax seal to show ownership, may have ceded all individual intellectual property claims, or may be living with draconian constraints on creation and distribution of online information. And schools may let students use handheld communication devices anytime, anywhere.

Well, somebody needed to give the unrosy view!

--Deborah

[Suzan Stamper]

After talking with Deborah Healey about influential CALL books, I suggested predicting future books.

Thanks to Deborah for dreaming up these titles!

Tips for staying sane in an overconnected world
Will you be my (social networking) friend? A modern-day Mr. Rogers
Enough, already: Reducing unwanted texting in class (maybe better as an article)
Creative phishing as a language learning device