Cloud 9 : Learning in the Information Age

Education is the harbinger of change; technological learning in the Information Age is at the cusp of that change, bringing new technologies, enhanced interfaces, dialogue, mobile learning and networked resources that shape content, sharing and distribution of information. These aspects influence the people and society of the "climate century". The Information Age follows the production of data in previously unheard quantities. In the early days of widespread computer usage, we had a plethora of theories with only a paucity of data. Now, the data we produce is so large that it requires new analytics and new patterns of interpretative meaning. New methods of storage and analysis are needed in order to quantify big data.'' But we live in uncertain times, in which even the climatelike financial markets is more volatile than it was in the pre-industrial second millennium, making technological adaptation ever more critical. This technological adaptation needs to occur in conjunction with an attitude which fosters a caring curiosity'' for the biosphere which sustains us. Education is about gaining qualifications, but it is also about intrinsically dispelling uncertainty in the quest for knowledge and techniques to enhance the experience of life and living. Cloud 9: Learning in the Information Age explores some of the methods and learning techniques and technologies that help us to do this.