Future Learning – Listen to the Kids David Davenport Computer Eng. Dept., Bilkent University Derya Davenport BUPS, Bilkent, Ankara &

Education Today Institutional education seen as universal right Key to personal & national property Idea of school ingrained in our culture Provocative – make people think. Want kids who think, but –Don’t listen to what they say, or –Punish them for criticizing system We should practice what we preach!

Education Today Six “real” lessons of school –you are always being watched, –stay in class where you belong, –learn to turn on and off like a light switch, –surrender yourself to a predestined chain of command, –study what I tell you & –accept that your self-respect depends on an observer’s measure of your worth. John Gatto

Education Today Education for the industrial age –Need few scientists & engineers –Workers for mass production lines! Information Technology –Seen as offering solution & can help… in school admin, in classroom, distance education, etc. –But, unlikely to cure real ills –& may aggravate situation More to learn Changing world…

The World of Tomorrow Computers & Internet changing the world! Information Age education –Less manual labour, more high-tech & service –Deal with info. & people, Multi-tasking! Self-motivated & lifelong independent learning. –Contract work, part-time, tele-working. –Openness & sharing, collaboration not competition.

Learning Alternatives How should education change? Listen to the kids… –Boring & irrelevant, too much to learn, too much emphasis of grades. Hate homework, teachers & school! Justify subjects rearrange around questions? MTV generation – in tune? Overloaded – ability to acquire & apply?

Learning Alternatives No grades –Grades and exams integral part of system Fixed time – variable outcome –Alternative? Fixed outcome – variable time Mastery learning –Pilots with ‘c’ grade –Doctoral dissertations Concentrate of process, not result

Learning Alternatives No classes –Classes organise students Force everyone to march in step! –Alternative? Everyone is different Age is a very crude measure Allow learners to progress at their own pace

Learning Alternatives No teachers –Teachers control class & teach Transmit knowledge to blank minds –Alternative? Recognise learners build own knowledge structures IT handles transfer to learner Facilitators or mentors

Learning Alternatives No school –12 year “jail sentence” before life Not a proper person until graduation –Alternative? Lifelong learners No distinctions!

Learning Alternatives No classrooms –Collect & organise students To keep track of them To “teach” them To allow them to interact –Alternative? Virtual classrooms Ubiquitous just-in-time learning

Learning Alternatives No teachers No classrooms No classes No homework No students? No grades Learn collaboration, not competition No school

Shaping the Future Technology is changing the world Education must respond Restructuring to meet demands & solve ills Suggested radical alternatives Must act to avoid disenfranchising youth

Shaping the Future Technology may help… –By getting teachers together & helping each other –By getting students to work together Software Quest, TYWC, this paper! Through collaboration & sharing we all get richer

Shaping the Future The Information Age is here Opportunity to –Instill non-materialistic ideals, –Sharing & openness, –Value people & nature, above consumerism. World may shape education –But education can shape tomorrow. Listen to the kids, »they are customer & future!

Some graphics courtesy Discovery Channel