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Imaginary Interview with Diane Sawyer

Diane Sawyer, "In the year 2050, when web connectivity is ubiquitous, will the systems of teaching and learning be vastly different from the current systems, and will the new systems be better than the current systems in terms of effectiveness, relevance, appropriateness, equity, accountability, and efficiency?"

My Reply:  "Yes, most definitely!  The systems of teaching/learning in the future will be profoundly different from the current systems.  I would also say that they will be better in much every way, although it will be hard to measure against earlier antiquated learning systems because so much change will take place in the next 50-years.  Subjectivity will be the predominate learning method supplanting hierarchical objectivity.  Tests that ask right and wrong answers (according to the test maker) will be supplanted by more thought-provoking questions which stimulates deeper subjective thinking appropriate for the then current times.

"The new teaching/learning systems will be democratic, and the educational institutions will no longer be in control of the students’ academic learning and performance.  In fact, educational institutions will be a part of the free enterprise system, competing for students just like businesses compete to attract buyers for their product(s) and services.  At that time, any educational institution which is not maximizing technology, effectiveness, and accountability will be out of business.

"The time will come when parents and educators will realize that every child’s psychological disposition is unique, which means every child learns differently and in their own way.  Just like a business has to hone in on who they are (identity), and who/what their customers are, students will have to hone in on who they are, and how they can best contribute to society in their future work place.

As a result, Individualized Educational Plans (IEP) for every student will be drafted, developed, and refined over their lifetime.  This IEP plan will be specific to the gifts and abilities as well as the deficiencies of each student. Individual strengths will be maximized, and weaknesses will be understood and dealt with, though not negatively.  Internalized verbal/written articulation will be a huge focus over the early learning years.  Penetrating questions will be the focus of learning.

"World-wide, two-way, real time communication will make a colossal impact upon future teaching/learning systems.  Instead of being employed by schools, many of the better teachers will choose to be accredited educational entrepreneurs, individually contracting themselves to the private sector.  They may choose to live in a chateau in southern France, and instruct (coach) individual students learning in the privacy of their own homes (or specialized rooms at parent’s place of employment); or these facilitators may teach and train groups of students gathered in various classrooms around the globe.

"Live communication between teacher/coach/guide and students would be easily accomplished using video walls, capable of displaying every student, class, and instructor "on a wall" symmetrically or asymmetrically.  In real time, the instructor could take students on learning tours through time and space.  Parents of students could give live demonstrations to the class of what they do at their job.  The parents could monitor their child’s progress instantly, even viewing their behavior and participation live from their video source at work. Or the teacher/facilitator could guide the students in creating future working environments using virtual reality.  The teaching/learning possibilities will seem to be limitless.

"Diane, do you think students would enjoy this kind of learning environment over what they experience today?  Exposure to knowledge in the future will be vastly greater, and students would be made to "feel a part of" their learning environment, "as though they were there."

"Textbooks and lectures will easily be antiquated, and constructivism (where students "construct" their own knowledge based upon their own interests) will go hand-in-hand with technology.  By the time students make the literal transition into the workplace, the only thing which will change for them is they will get paid for their thinking and active participation in the global market place.  The company they gain employment could be located on any continent or island in the world, but more than likely their employer will be ubiquitous.

"That is just a little of what the future educational environment will look like.  Exciting?  Without question!"

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