future learning – listen to the kids david davenport computer eng. dept., bilkent university...
Post on 21-Dec-2015
219 views
TRANSCRIPT
Future Learning – Listen to the Kids
David DavenportComputer Eng. Dept.,
Bilkent Universityemail:
Derya DavenportBUPS,
Bilkent, Ankaraemail:
&
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 classroomsNo 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
& sharingwe 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