How we educate has, and will, change dramatically as well as exponentially in the years to come. If we are to “keep up,” we will need to think, technically and globally. We as teachers and parents must learn along with integrate ourselves into this technological world we live in, if we are to understand how to interface and educate in the 21st century. However, we face many hurdles such as basic understanding in regards to the use of technology such as computers, software, the Internet, as well as emerging technologies within our classrooms. Additionally, we must reevaluate our definition of teaching and classroom, and the meaning of the the words “teacher” and “classroom.” It’s outdated use and meaning will change whether or not we like it and we must be willing to nurture this change.
There are many key elements involved with FutureED which must be considered:
– “Teacher’s” excitement and willingness to learn/understand technology in education
– Administrators understanding and ability to promote technology change in education
– Training
– Development, by educators for educators
– Thinking Globally
– Web 2.0
– and many many others…
One of my favorite videos, “Web 2.0… The Machine is US/ing Us” provides insight regarding changes in the way we communicate, learn, collaborate as well as how we are linking to one another, breaking borders and living globally.
We have an exciting road ahead of us and I am tieing up my shoes, dusting off my hat and am ready to go!
FutureED 
2 comments
Comments feed for this article
August 31, 2008 at 9:19 pm
Vanna
You bring up some interesting points – the video is a great one (we’ll be seeing it later in class, too!). What is the responsibility of the educator given these ideas. How do we use the machine? And not let it use us …
September 3, 2008 at 8:53 am
Mike
The first time I saw this video, I was so impressed at how the “history”, development and impact the Internet has had on global communication was presented. The evolution of how we have come to communicate with each other is amazing and scary all at the same time.
As I watched the video, I began to feel just how small the world is becoming, so to speak, and how connected we all can be… Web 2.0 can and has truly made and impact on education, allowing teachers to provide much needed blended learning, immediate feedback, unlimited research capability, social impact and versatile communication with students and parents.
However, with “great power comes great responsibility.” I think many many teachers feel very intimidated by not only technology but the expansive amount of tools that are available to them. Along with the “scaryness” of just learning technology, how to integrate it is an even bigger one. “Ok, I have all of these tools, software, hardware, what do I do with it all, who will show me how to use them?” I see this all the time at UIC. It may not be actually said, but I can see it on the professors faces. At the university level, we have so much technology available, so much support and open avenues to try new software and hardware within our education environment. I know that at the K-12 level, teachers have similar problems but don’t have as much support and open avenues for experimentation and believe it is much more of an issue at the K-12 level.
UIC has recently opened, UIC Prep which is a High School ran by the university. I think this is where we need to go, the universities need to really involve themselves within the K-12 school districts to help develop and support technology, we have the resources, we need to use them.
On a last note, is the “machine us/ing us?” I would say yes and I would not consider it a bad thing, at this point. As it says the “machine is us” we develop bigger and better ways to go global, educate, communicate, etc, etc ,etc. We are creating for ourselves…
Mike