Future of Information in Education

The Future of Information in Education

Visions 2020: Transforming Education and Training Through Advanced Technologies

Major technological advances are creating more and more opportunities to meet learner’s needs. These advances will boost productivity of learning while lowering costs. They will also provide knowledge and training when and where it is needed. Although these superior technologies will be useful, they also must be reasonably priced and must be translated into affordable tools for learners to use. Successful use of these technologies could have a major effect on American competitiveness and standard of living. In order to be on top of this new knowledge based economy means Americans must have easier access to the knowledge and skills they need to flourish as students in a rapidly advancing world. With more advanced equipment, learners could explore worlds and cultures beyond their own as if they were their own. For example, surgeons could practice life-saving techniques in realistic settings without putting patients at risk. Future technological advances cannot only improve instruction, but also transform what we think of as education. Children will have online and virtual classrooms. Instead of overheads and projectors, children will have multimedia centers right in front of their eyes with display screens that can be viewed from both sides. These advancements will also be a great enabler for the handicapped population. Technology can serve as an extension and enhancer for their missing capabilities. Therefore “no child will be left behind.”

Future Perspective: What issues in educational technology will help shape the next millennium?

This article talks about what type of educational tools will be available through technology in the 21^st century. It is predicted that advances such as cochlear implants and direct brain wave input into computers will be available in the year 2020. This new digital world will equalize educational opportunities for all students. New technologies will provide the means for schools to meet the educational needs of all students, including students with learning disabilities. Also, with all of this new technology, teacher roles will change. Teachers must learn to now only become an aid in the learning of students.

Future Perspective: A Vision of Education for the 21^st Century

This article is based on how technology will reshape the American education system. Due to technological advances, full length courses online are becoming a reality. Courses over the web are a driving force for educational change in the 21^st century. The teaching of traditional academic subjects will be done through online courses. Teachers will be left to provide what technology cannot, such as personal one-on-one tutoring. There will be new and emerging roles for schools. Schools will now provide opportunities for social interaction and to teach skills required for successful interaction with others. Schools will evolve more into a community center. Universities and partners are putting more and more money towards online courses. Eventually, it will be possible to take an entire first year of college in high school and receive college credit.

Sources:

Visions 2020: Transforming Education and Training through Advanced Technologies

Future Perspective: What issues in educational technology will help shape the next millennium?

Authors: Dr. D. Thomas King

Dr. Frank B. Withrow

Dr. Alexander Schure

Dr. Alfred Bork

Future Perspective: A Vision of Education for the 21^st Century

Author: Roger C. Schank

Last updated by Lauren Briggs on Monday, May 08, 2006