Keeping up with (the latest) technology

Greetings CrazyEngineers!

I have a topic that I would like to discuss with you all: keeping up with the latest technology.

We all know that technology is no longer developing at snail's pace. Personally, I always think that it is good to know how to use a technology before I actually need to use it. For example, it is good to know how to use a scanner before the university wants me to scan my photograph for the student ID card. I am trying to give an example that is similar to the chase: reading ahead for the lecture (read chapter one before the first day of lecture and keep the same rhythm); it is, most of the time, proven to be effective.

I am pretty sure that everyone agrees with that idea. But, what if I get a technology that I haven't mastered yet only to explore it and hoping that when the time comes--when I actually need the technology--I am already familiar with what I need to do?

What do you think? I hope you can understand what I am getting at. 😀

(I apologize if this is not the right section for this topic.)