The Future of Educational Technology and Education 3.0
When one thinks about what education will look like in the next ten years, it becomes apparent that technology is leaving many of our students behind. In terms of innovation and progress, we no longer live in an age where there is visible movement. The age of exponential growth is here. Every day, new and improved technologies appear in every corner of society.
A new educational paradigm is needed to educate the brightest and best in this brave new world. Our future will depend on our ability to stop allowing our educational tools and resources to age in the corners of the classroom. We will continue to be at the bottom of the global workforce for many decades by denying access to large numbers of children.
The New Toolbox
A few years back, I went to an auction and saw some old woodworking tools I could use. I was able, for just a few dollars, to purchase a variety of hand tools that had been around for generations. These tools were used in my shop for many different projects over the next ten years. As my woodworking skills improved, so did my artistry. It was easy to see that improved tools could translate into better craftsmanship. Woodworkers will tell you that new tools require new skills.
Students can mold and shape themselves using woodworking as a metaphor. A sharp tool is the best substitute. You need the best tools to create the best projects. If we don’t improve our tools, we will be very disappointed in the projects we create for the country in the next decade.
This article will attempt to show how technology will impact the education of students over the next ten years. If we are willing to open the doors of opportunity, I will try to show you the incredible possibilities that lie ahead. My goal is to transform the student from a passive participant into a “user.” This may seem confusing. Let me explain.
Consider what it means to be “user”. User is more than someone who uses. A student should be able to use the latest technology freely and independently. This freedom will enable the student to be an active participant in their education, rather than a passive one. This has never been possible before in history.
Being a user in today’s technological society means that you are being tracked. Being tracked has become an integral part of our lives. It is exactly this engine that will drive our education process in the future. Being able to track a student is about being able to tailor education towards their strengths and weaknesses. Since many years, the best educational philosophy has focused on the ability to tailor curriculum to each student. This dream may soon become a reality thanks to the golden age of technological advancement.
The current educational curriculum and individual assessment are arbitrary at best. Modern tracking and database technology are required to accurately assess a student. This is possible because the technology we have at our disposal is already available. This could be the project Congress needs to move forward.
Imagine a world in which every child has access to the App for virtual photographic memory (internet) from their tablet computer. Imagine that all students have access to all knowledge at any time. Imagine a world in which a misspelled word leads to a spelling challenge application, instead of an automatic correction. Imagine a teacher having a database that contains every misspelled word, misunderstood concept and every equation for every student. Imagine a teacher who can personalize the experience for each student with minimum effort. Through an intuitive educational platform, the curriculum can be automatically tailored to each user’s strengths and weaknesses. You get the idea.