The Future of Learning
By MICHAEL HEBRON, PGA Master Professional, CI
________________________________________
The cover story of the October 20, 2001 issue of Newsweek was "The Future of
Learning." For this story Newsweek asked leading teachers, entrepreneurs, and
inventors what they thought learning would be like in the future. The following
are some highlights of the story "The classroom of the future."
*Steve Jobs, CEO Apple* "For the better part of the last century whenever
people read, they also authored. In the past, people not only consumed
information, they also used thinking skills and authored ideas. Today most
people still consume information but no longer think."
"I see things changing in the future. Over the next twenty years the drive will be
to integrate tools so people will author their own ideas in the medium of the day.
We think there is tremendous power it this approach.
"Teachers will be at the epic center, but when students are creating by
themselves, learning is taking place. Anyone who believes differently has never
had a good teacher. I would trade all of my technology for an afternoon with
Socrates."
*Linda Darling Hammond, professor of education, specializing in teaching,
training and school reform. Stanford University * "In the future teachers will be in
more of a coaching role, directing students to the resources they need to solve
problems. A 'Guide on the Side' helping students find answers."
"In the future there will be a natural environment built around the idea that
learning is a natural activity. Teachers will understand how kids learn through
building projects.
*Bill Gates, Microsoft CEO * "In the future there will be a sense of involvement
where there are no boundaries. There will be connected learning in the future,
where parents, teachers, and students are not isolated from each other, the way
we are today."
*John Doerr - High Tech investor * "In the future there will be places to mentor,
to study, to do projects."
"There will be no desks bolted to the floor facing the dispenser of information at
the front of the room."
"There will be some rich interactive medium. Instead of testing kids, we will come
up with a genuine measure of a student's ability to manipulate symbols and
express themselves."
"The final component of learning in the future is to be set to learn on your own.
We will be able to deal with information overload."
A part of the Joy of Learning™ Series by Michael Hebron
________________________________________
________________________________________
© 2006, 2008 Michael Hebron all rights reserved