Some more predictions for 2012

The collection of "predictions for educational technology in 2012" that are crossing my inbox grows...  this collection from ZDNet points to a few things that I agree are coming and coming fast-- the question is how long the too-deeply entrenched practices will be able to keep these at bay:

1) Given the interest in data-driven decision-making, then the prediction that the algorithms used to make business decision will make it into education decision-making is probably a good one. I do not, however, think that it will necessarily result in "better education" for students. Important cognitive functions like being flexible and creative are not easily made into algorithms (not yet at least). If we develop powerful tools to analyze education data, we will have the illusion of education, but not the reality.

2) Tablets-- yup they are coming and we had better be ready for it!

3) BYOD is coming-- yup-- students have powerful computers in their pockets and we need to use them.

4) Khan Academy-- yup-- those lessons are good and making many teachers irrelevant.

5) Goodbye libraries-- no, I think libraries and the guidance good librarians give in finding and using good information sources are going to be more important as we move forward.