Jane Harper

LIS 450LTL

September 26, 2000

Learning Technologies Timeline

New technology has overcome some of the compromises that had to be made for jumbo-sized electronic images. Now a large map (or other image) can be seam-free, flat-paneled, and have very high image resolution.

Developed by Sarnoff Corp. in response to a U.S. military request for the ability to create large military maps, this technology will allow for sizes as large as 3 x 6 feet. Sarnoff estimates that ultimately the display resolution will be 30 million pixels. To get an idea of the quality of that image, contrast it to today's high-resolution televisions, which produce an image made up of approximately 2 million pixels.

A new type of e-book was announced today that is designed to help new readers improve their skills and connect with literature. The book will actually offer audio prompts in response to the child's voice as he or she reads the book aloud. The prompt feature can be turned off or on, and can be modified according to personal preference. Studies are underway by several groups to see if this type of technology is beneficial, or if it could actually be detrimental to successful reading development.