Tech Trends You(th) Should Watch

The question that seems to be on everyone’s mind in 2011—how do you transfer online engagement into offline action?  The answer to this question may very well unlock the next level of potential, success and reach for both online programs and social networks across every sector.

Last week at the DoSomething.org annual meeting the organization’s CEO, Nancy Lublin, highlighted this question as one that will shape the organization in 2011. The nonprofit, which strives to empower and engage today’s young people in order to create social change is hoping that it can use technology to not only drive people to action, but also to change their behavior. As stated on the DoSomething.org website—they are “using the power of online to get teens to do good stuff offline.”

With the organization’s focus on young people, many who were born into a world filled with devices and focused on technology (aka Digital Natives), it will be interesting to see whether or not this army of young DoSomething.org activists can cross this digital to real world divide. 

We must note here that DoSomething.org is not alone in its quest. Many are watching anxiously to see how this challenge develops across all generations and sectors. Turning to experts in the tech field, DoSomething.org recently brought together a panel featuring Raj Kapoor of the Mayfield Fund; Adam Ostrow of Mashable; and Ami Dar of Idealist to discuss technology trends that may ultimately may hold the answer to sparking that sought after offline engagement. Here are several of their insights from the day:

2011 Tech Trends

Mobile, Mobile and More Mobile—Mobile commerce is hitting all the right notes right now for both consumers and retailers. Instead of the normal “cha-ching” on a cash register, consumers are turning to their smartphones to pay for items. Ostrow raised the example of how Starbucks is leading the charge in terms of real world use by accepting payments through mobile phones. Coffee lovers rejoiced when they learned that they could now pay for their purchases simply by entering a registered card number into their phone, which would then display a barcode that any Starbucks cashier could scan to complete a transaction. 

This trend is particularly interesting for Social Citizens since mobile technology is becoming increasingly popular among younger generations. According to Pew Research, “the age at which one receives their first cell phone is dropping rapidly and now stands at about 9 or 10. Currently nearly six of every ten 12-year olds have their own cell phone, a figure that increases to 83% by age 17. On average, 75% of all 13 to 17 year olds have a mobile phone, 93% go online (76% with broadband).” As we move forward, smartphones and 4G networks will likely drive the adoptions of mobile technology further, faster.

Tablets Everywhere—The panelists started this discussion by noting that Apple sold more than 15 million iPads in 2010… far surpassing anyone’s projections. The wildly successful sale of the device spurred the creation of dozens of new tablets from competitors vying for a share of the market. For Dar, the revelation is in how tablets will drastically change the field of education for the younger generation. He reflects that, “teachers will become facilitators and moderators, not just sharers of information” as they use the tablets to connect students around the world to share experiences and information like never before.

One real world example took place this past fall at the University of Notre Dame. A class experimented by going totally paperless, in essence replacing traditional textbooks with Apple’s iPad. Students used the iPad to conduct research, access Wiki discussion groups and manage real world projects. One does not have to make too far of a leap to see how this practice could be integrated into schools around the world.

Hide and Seek—Kapoor noted that location-based technology is not really popular among teens and young people. He explained a number of contributing factors including privacy issues for those in this age range, and the simple fact that most people don’t really want to others to know where they are every moment of every day. The truth is (which made many in the audience cringe), “most people lead boring lives.” He cited an example itinerary that consisted solely of school, McDonald’s, home; school, McDonald’s, home; school, McDonald’s, home… you get the picture.

While an exaggeration of course, Kapoor makes a valid point. He sees the future of location-based technology in the creation of “fantasy locations.” Once there, individuals can check-in, meet with others and depart from their “boring” lives for something a little more exciting.

The Games People Play—The panel saw the next step in gaming as that which will combine online game play with real world action… much like DoSomething.org’s mantra for 2011. The name of the game here is finding a way to harness online engagement with offline action. However, no one has come close to cracking the code yet.

Dar reminded the audience of the popular book, “Who Moved My Cheese?” to explain why he thinks it’s so difficult to transfer online action into offline action. His point, and that of the book’s, is that you can’t just say you’re going to do something, photoshop it or simply think about doing it – in order to “do” something you actually must make the effort to go to the proverbial “cheese” and move it.

So there you have it. Do you agree with the panelists’ list of top trends? What impact do you think these trends will have across the social sector and what will they mean for the dynamic of online engagement and offline action?