Here is a cross post from Lindy on the QLD GIL list. Although she mentioned it in relation to Second Life, it may be of interest to year 11 teachers covering IT issues or eLearning coordinators trying to see beyond the hyperbole that often engulfs new technologies or educational initiatives.
<br><br><a href="http://www.gartner.com/pages/story.php.id.8795.s.8.jsp">http://www.gartner.co</a><a href="http://www.gartner.com/pages/story.php.id.8795.s.8.jsp">m/pages/story.php.id.8795.s.8.j</a><a href="http://www.gartner.com/pages/story.php.id.8795.s.8.jsp">
sp</a><br><br>Regards Roland<br><br>---------- Forwarded message ----------<br><br>Hype Cycles: What is a Hype Cycle?<br><br> A Hype Cycle is a graphic representation of the maturity, adoption and<br>business application of specific technologies.
<br><br>Since 1995, Gartner has used Hype Cycles to characterize the over-enthusiasm<br>or "hype" and subsequent disappointment that typically happens with the<br>introduction of new technologies (see Understanding Gartner's Hype Cycles)
<br>for an introduction to the Hype Cycle concepts). Hype Cycles also show how<br>and when technologies move beyond the hype, offer practical benefits and<br>become widely accepted.<a href="http://www.gartner.com/pages/story.php.id.8795.s.8.jsp">
<br></a><br>What are the 5 phases of a Hype Cycle?<br><br><span style="font-weight: bold;"> 1. "Technology Trigger"</span><br style="font-weight: bold;">The first phase of a Hype Cycle is the "technology trigger" or breakthrough,
<br>product launch or other event that generates significant press and interest.<br><br><span style="font-weight: bold;">2. "Peak of Inflated Expectations"</span><br style="font-weight: bold;">In the next phase, a frenzy of publicity typically generates over-enthusiasm
<br>and unrealistic expectations. There may be some successful applications of a<br>technology, but there are typically more failures.<br><br><span style="font-weight: bold;">3. "Trough of Disillusionment"</span>
<br style="font-weight: bold;">Technologies enter the "trough of disillusionment" because they fail to meet<br>expectations and quickly become unfashionable. Consequently, the press<br>usually abandons the topic and the technology.
<br><br><span style="font-weight: bold;">4. "Slope of Enlightenment"</span><br style="font-weight: bold;">Although the press may have stopped covering the technology, some businesses<br>continue through the "slope of enlightenment" and experiment to understand
<br>the benefits and practical application of the technology.<br><br><span style="font-weight: bold;">5. "Plateau of Productivity"</span><br style="font-weight: bold;">A technology reaches the "plateau of productivity" as the benefits of it
<br>become widely demonstrated and accepted. The technology becomes increasingly<br>stable and evolves in second and third generations. The final height of the<br>plateau varies according to whether the technology is broadly applicable or
<br>benefits only a niche market.<br><br><br>-- <br>Roland Gesthuizen - ICT Coordinator - Westall Secondary College<br><a href="http://www.westallsc.vic.edu.au">http://www.westallsc.vic.edu.au</a><br><br>"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed it is the only thing that ever has." --Margaret Mead
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