The Emergent Technological and Theoretical Paradigms in Education: The Interrelations of Cloud Computing (CC), Connectivism and Internet of Things (IoT)

Abstract

With the rapid development and increase in Internet speed in network technology, communication and interaction with others, even with objects, as well as sharing and creation of knowledge is supported and facilitated more effectively than ever before. The characteristics of society are in an incessant change towards a more social, networked, and connected one. The education sector is also in a constant state of evolution, naturally as a result of emerging technologies and theories. Based on this fact, educational institutions, inevitably, have to transform their existing frameworks to promote learning and teaching in the 21st Century. This paper introduces background and fundamentals about emerging technology paradigms - Cloud Computing (CC) and Internet of Things (IoT), and an emerging learning theory - Connectivism. The relationships between these three are investigated to provide insights and raise awareness on their rich potentials for and impacts on learning experiences.