The Original Tool For "Anytime, Anywhere" Learning

The laptop computer is probably the first modern technological tool that has been touted as a tool that can be used by people to learn "anytime, anywhere." If the person who desires to learn from anywhere and at anytime he or she chooses to do so, needs to consult or use resources available on the Internet, then "anytime" becomes limited to those times (servers do go down now and then) when, and to those locations where Internet connectivity is available. As of today, there are many more people who do not have access to the Internet than those who do have such access. I am sure that the same is true for geographic locations in the world - there are probably many more places in the world from which people cannot access the Internet than places from which people can access it. I am confident that this situation will change over the next decade or two as more and more countries invest their scarce resources to develop their digital communications infrastructures.

 

A few years ago, hand-held electronic devices performed specialized functions. For example, an electronic organizer helped people keep their personal and professional information organized. A cell phone allowed people to make and receive calls. A digital camcorder enabled someone to shoot video footage of those precious occasions that one wishes to cherish over a period to time, such as birthdays, weddings, etc.

 

The capabilities and functions of various hand-held devices have converged over the years and now we can use a single device to shoot digital video footage and edit them, surf the Web, store and retrieve personal and professional records and information, and communicate verbally and in writing. As these hand-held devices become more popular and powerful, they will slowly but surely subsume all the functions of the currently much larger computer laptops as well. These devices are being considered as having the potential to meet the needs of those who wish to learn "on the go."

 

Long before these newer and more sophisticated devices entered the marketplace there were audiotapes, videotapes and CD-Roms. Learners could listen to class lectures while they were commuting in buses, cars, or other forms of transportation. They could also view videotapes that taught them content in various disciplines, at different locations since there used to be a large installed base of VCRs in many parts of the developed world. In spite of all the sophisticated circuitry that must surely go into making these devices function the way that they do, they will cease to function when the juice in the batteries which power them runs out. Yes, these devices can be plugged into electric outlets and powered up, but such tethering of the devices limits the mobility of the users.

 

However, my still favorite tool for learning on my own terms does not require any Internet connectivity. I do not have to pay any monthly service charges. There is no need to log into some system or the other as well. I do not need any cables or batteries to use this tool. I do not even need any source of power other than the light of the Sun or the glow that emanates from light bulbs that are available all over the world and even in most remote parts of developing countries, to be able to learn anywhere or anytime with this somewhat ancient product of technology. But I can take one or more versions of this tool anywhere and anytime and I often do take a few with me when I travel. I call this "anytime, anywhere" learning tool the "book."