Technological convergence in learning
Description:
Educational technology such as on-line distance learning is experiencing a wildly application. World-famous universities like Harvard have participated into the process; programs like CyberOne combing the use of WiKi and visual social community like SecondLife become open to student not only from Harvard University but also at a large extent. A multi-user virtual environments interfaces, in which participants’ avatars interact with computer based agents and digital artifacts in virtual contexts become a new trend— Technological convergence in learning.
Enablers:
1. The adverse effects of climate change and global warming
2. Competition for increasingly scarce resources, especially oil
3. International Islamic terrorism
4. Increasing socio-economic divisions and the marginalization of the majority world cause tensions such as West (Judeo-Christian) vs. Islam, China vs. Taiwan, North Korea vs. US, Poor nations (mainly in Africa) vs. wealthy nations, Local tribes and peoples vs. Western private companies using local resources, Russia vs. former Muslim republics
5. Further spread of military technologies and weapons of mass destruction (Chemical, Biological, Atomic)
Inhibitors
1. Replace carbon-based sources with diversified local renewable energy sources; manage energy efficiency, resource recycling.
2. Phase out of WMD worldwide.
3. Adjust global systems of trade, aid and debt to reduce poverty.
4. Use smarter counter-terrorism police operations against violent revolutionary groups and make dialogue with terrorist leaderships.
Paradigms:
Competition for scarce sources such as oil, socio-economic divisions and the marginalization of the majority world are reasons causing insecurity. If governments can move beyond the current narrow national and economic interests, using the energy and resources currently devoted to anti-war into positive efforts to promote peace and security. A more peaceful and secure global order can be established.
Experts:
See sources
Timing:
2008- New leadership in USA and UK
2008-2012- New governments change foreign policy and attitudes towards climate change and energy etc problems.Reform of regional organizations and the United Nations help governments move beyond the current narrow national and economic interests.
2015-2020- Technology improves and new energy without CO2 emission gradually replaces traditional energy.
Reference:
http://www.oxfordresearchgroup.org.uk/publications/briefings/globalthreats.pdf