I like the way Karim succintly sums up his vision in the quote :
"Stop teaching and transferring knowledge.
Start producing information and creating thoughts."
I agree with him that education in the future should be more process
rather than product orientated. I think this approach applies equally well
at all levels from K-12 to higher education.
On Lisa's Vision:
I echo Lisa's views that the role of schools will slowly evolve but
school as in "actual meeting places" will not be omitted. I too envision
the future school to enhance social interactions with better communication
modes. Just like her, I believe that with the use of technologies, changing
pedagogies are needed. Pupils should be encouraged to work collaboratively
and function as teams.
On Norma's Vision:
Norma gives a very detailed overview of the changing trends in the use of technology over time. While embracing technology in the classroom, we must not get too carried away. We must always remember that technology is just a tool and its effectiveness depends on the workman. Norma sums it up beautifully when she says "Even when we agree that good tools do not make good teachers, but good teachers make good use of tools". Ultimately, it all boils down to good teaching and educational beliefs.
However, I beg to differ on two points. One is that " Teachers as well as trainers in business or other corporations will become Web Based Trainers, and their role will be that of providing the clues, the guide and the environment to encourage collaborative learning between the students in the world wide web." I think the role of the teachers is more than just a Web Based Trainer. Though I agree that the Web will be an important teaching tool, I think there will be other emerging technologies. Besides, it may be more fruitful to focus on generic pedagogical principles rather than let the technology governs pedagogy? Norma also mentions that home life will absolutely change by the next century as more pople will be working from homes. I would like to share something that I read in the business magazine, INC. Reports show that there is a reversal of trends. Examples were given of entrepreneurs who used to work at homes moving back to offices. They wanted to have a clearer divide between work and home as office work intruded into their family and private lives. As technology becomes more intertwined with our lives, I guess the socio-pyschological impact of technology also have to be carefully looked into.