Learning Virtually or Virtually Distracted? The Impact of Emerging Internet Technologies on Pedagogical Practice

Technological innovation is a very normal and anticipated part of social and organizational life and a critical ingredient in safeguarding societal and organizational progression. Certain types of ‘sustained’ innovation go relatively undetected; they are gradual and incremental in nature, as small extensions or developments are made to an existing product or service, building on and reinforcing existing technologies. These small changes strengthen the value of technology either by making the product easier to use or by reducing the cost. For instance, if an innovation has reached the maturity stage of the product life cycle, then perhaps its functionality will be developed to provide a ‘bolt-on’, with the core of the innovation remaining essentially the same. A classic example of a sustained innovation is the mobile phone, where functionality is increased by adding on extra capabilities, such as video, Internet access, GPS tracking systems, music, and email. In contrast, a radical innovation has a more profound effect on existing industries, business practices, and society as it often renders existing products, industries, or practices obsolete. Radical innovations destroy the value of an existing technology by providing an alternative that is markedly different and to which existing technologies cannot be adapted to. In recent years, the most radical technological innovation that we have seen is undoubtedly the Internet.