Unit 10

Current and Future Trends of Media and

Information
Imagine you are scheduled for a surgery. However, your doctor will not be physically
present on that day so instead a “licensed” robot doctor will perform the surgery. Will
you entrust your life to a robot rather than a real doctor?

Fig. 1. A patient treated by a robot doctor

In China, a robot named ‘Xiao Yi’ passed the National Medical Licensing Examination
with flying colors. Some predict that robots will take over the jobs of people. However,
some forms of technology cannot replace humans because we are more capable of
empathic thinking and contemplative reasoning.

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 Lesson 1: Current Trends of Media and
Information
Technology changes the way people think and act. If your teacher assigns you to create
a book report about William Shakespeare’s “Hamlet” due next week, how and where
will you get a copy of the required material? You can buy a published book from the
bookstore, borrow a copy from the library, or acquire a copy online. Given the same
choices/circumstances , what will you do and why?

Jump Start
Which do you prefer? Explain your reasons why.
● Composing handwritten letters or sending electronic mails (e-mails)?
● Acquiring news and updates from a newspaper or an online news website?
● Reading stories from published books or electronic books (e-books)?
● Sketching on a paper or an electronic tablet?
● Answering a paper and pen test or an online quiz?

Learn about It!

Technological advancements come in many forms. If you are not feeling well, you can
search the symptoms online although it is still best to consult a doctor. If you want to
learn a missed lesson because you were absent in class, you can watch educational
videos from credible learning websites online. Even a funeral wake of a dearly
departed have something called e-burol (a wordplay of “electronic” and “burol”). It
refers to an online viewing service offered by funeral homes via Internet Protocol (IP)
cameras.

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Some emerging technologies and trends include haptic technology, contextual
awareness, intelligent routing to devices, eye tracking technology, and internet glasses.

Fig. 3. A doctor conducting an ultrasound to a pregnant woman

Haptic technology requires realistic visual touching to

perform a specific function. An example of early haptic
technology is the vibration of your cell phone when
someone is calling you. Another example is the use of
ultrasound by gynecologists for pregnant women. Sound
waves help visualize the baby inside the mother’s womb.
Also, morse code modulated haptics enable the deaf-blind to
access the web. Recent smartphone technology already
removed the physical buttons because of the built-in haptic
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feedback.

Contextual awareness refers to a device system's ability to collect information based on

the user's environment combined with algorithmic preferences. Some people use
navigation apps like Waze to find directions for a specific location. Smartphones also
have a feature where a user enters only a few letters, and an accurate contact
selection is flashed on-screen. In addition to these, it follows the user's locations and
travels, and notifies him/her of his/her upcoming appointments. Another example is
when you watch videos from online streaming websites or apps like Youtube or Netflix,
video suggestions and channel preferences are then presented based on the previous
videos you watched.

Voice and tone recognition is the ability of devices to identify a particular person. Speech
recognition only detects spoken words. This feature is helpful for biometrics and
security purposes. Some banks already offer voice ID authentication services. However,
stronger measures must be done to protect one’s identity because voice recognition
security may still be breached.

Fig. 4. A user using a navigation app to find directions

Intelligent routing to devices collects information on a certain location, particularly about an

issue. For example, drivers using navigation apps can take a photo of a specific area to
warn other drivers about a road block, a police officer in sight, or a road accident. In
turn, other drivers with the same app can be notified with these reports.

Fig. 5. A gamer using virtual reality (VR) headsets to play

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Eye tracking technology measures eye activity. Applications of such technology are
evident in the medical, marketing, and education industry. Tobii Pro Glasses are used
for research to assess visual reading strategies, and understand human behavior.
Billboards can also install eye-tracking devices to measure its effectiveness.

Internet glasses are wearable computer glasses that can display information similar to
a smartphone. Some examples include Google Glass and Oculus Rift. Other wearable
devices provide a virtual reality experience for gaming, medical training, or watching
videos. Most wearable models are also capable of tracking physical fitness activities,
taking calls, sending messages, and presenting calendar events.

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 Lesson 2: Future Trends of Media and
Information
Inventions once started as someone’s brainchild. Others are discovered through
serendipity. For example, the penicillin invented by Alexander Fleming was a eureka
moment that led to other medical innovations as well. If you want to invent or
reinvent, what would it be? Why would you want to invent or reinvent it? How would
your prototype look like?

Jump Start
Find a partner. List down ten inventions that you predict might come up in the next ten
years. For example, flying cars will finally be invented to reduce traffic. Be as creative
as possible. Share your list to the class.

Learn about It!

If you have an idea in your head and you wish to concretize it, you must first have a
prototype. It is a physical representation similar to a model. You must also know how
to develop and manufacture your prototype.

According to Cherie Nelson, there are four steps to build

your product’s first prototype.

First, create a concept sketch. Visualize. Draw your ideas on a

piece of paper. You may also use a drawing software
however, it is still best to put your ideas on paper.

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Second, develop a virtual prototype. You can use digital design tools like AutoCAD.
Create 2D and 3D renderings of your design. A virtual sketch gives you an idea on how
your prototype will look once it is physically built.

Fig. 10. AutoCAD and 3D printing

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Third, build a physical prototype. You can try to build one or seek a professional
prototype designer. Your prototype requires evaluation and refinement. Sometimes, this
is the longest phase because you need to modify and make multiple adjustments
before manufacturing it.

The last step is to locate a manufacturer. This is also the time to apply for a patent.

According to the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines, a patent is an exclusive

right granted for a product, process, or an improvement of a product or process which
is new, inventive, and useful. This exclusive right gives the inventor the right to exclude
others from making, using, or selling the product of his invention during the life of the
patent.

Be financially wise when looking for a manufacturer. An alternative is to find

manufacturers that offer free or cheap 3D printing services.

Smartphones and computers started as prototypes before they became a reality. Grab
your papers and pens, and start conceptualizing. Who knows? Your idea might be the
next big thing!

Wrap Up
● Technology changed the lives of people; how they learn, live, and work. For
example, smartphone apps help users grow their knowledge, enhance their
productivity, and elevate entertainment.
● The teaching-learning process is not only limited to lectures and discussions
nowadays. Teachers and instructors have the option to use MOOCs to deliver
content to students.
● People should adapt to changes to remain relevant.
● One can achieve creative and critical thinking skills if he/she can identify a solution
to a given problem using the resources available to him/her.

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 Glossary
Contextual awareness - This is the system's ability to collect information based from the
user's environment combined with algorithmic preferences
Courses - This is the C in the acronym of MOOC. These refer to the different disciplines
or subjects available
Eye tracking technology - This measures eye activity
Haptic technology - This requires realistic visual touching to perform a specific function
Internet glasses - These are wearable computer glasses that can display information
similar to a smartphone
Massive - This is the M in the acronym of MOOC. This means that many people may join
MOOCs
Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) - This is an interactive model for delivering content to
interested users through online means
Online - This is the second O in the acronym of MOOC. This means that you are required
to have a good internet connection to access a MOOC
Open - This is the first O in the acronym of MOOC. This means that anyone can join
MOOCs regardless of academic achievement, industry experience, or other factors
Patent - This is an exclusive right granted for a product, process or an improvement of a
product or process which is new, inventive and useful
Prototype - This is a physical representation similar to a model
Voice and tone recognition - This is the ability of devices to identify a particular person

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