Futurelab known for developing prototypes of possible future practice – showcases of what might be done with digital technologies in education – each of them developed to think about how a particular aspect of education might be achieved through the development and use of technologies. From supporting positive physical activity through the use of sensor technology From linking to wider networks of experts and peers through mobile technology To supporting links between parents, young people and teacher through networked technologies Or through supporting collaboration through games technology – much of our work has been developing new approaches to teaching and learning by looking existing areas of challenge in education and then looking at the affordances of digital technology, then finding creative solutions to those challenges.
Over the last 2.5 years though, FL has been leading a programme of work called ‘Beyond Current Horizons’ – the Department’s long term education futures programme. and I’d like to spend just a few minutes looking at this work to look at the wider context for your discussions today – to help unpack the question of ‘potential for what?’
Set up to look at this aim Not just looking at tech changes but socio-tech changes. 100 academics 60+ papers Plus engagement with 130 organisations and people, plus 500 members of the public etc
Probable, possible and preferable futures Not to predict, but to (a) help us consider and prepare for a range of futures that may come about But also to support us in making the decisions that can attempt to bring about the preferable futures we want to see 2025 – useful timeframe Also a step from ‘how improve current approaches’ – to what would we need by then? Essentially then, it’s been looking at the wider context in which our futures-focussed activity is working.
Look at some of the socio-technological trends that we can expect to see: to paint a picture of the sorts of environments our education policies need to prepare for, respond to and shape.
Moore’s Law and uses of tech How access/choose to access resources MIT/Open Uni/schoolofeverything -are youth workers better at supporting young people within their own environments – what about within their digital envioronments? Role of teacher – networked? Within or between institutions?
Digitally literate What does it mean to digitally participate, as well as participate in geographic communities Moves beyond how do these trends affect pedagogy – to questions of curriculum
So -some of the things that excite me at the moment in response to those sorts of challenges
Support teachers to be more aware of their current PLNs and how they might develop them
User led innovation – meeting insight with invention Also a recognition that inno happens at the intersection of disciplines and PLNS go beyond ‘groups’ of people to look at networks of shared interest.
Education Eye (Map of Innovations) The aim is to provide an inspiring, easy-to-use online resource that gives access to useful, relevant and interesting innovations across educations varied communities.
Lots of exciting things that I’m sure the ICT register can lead the way in address – we’ve many challenges to look at for the year and year’s to come but I’m excited that groups like this are leading the way. I’ll leave with a short video that presents some challenges from future trends – but one particular challenge in particular: How are you going to help create the future that you want to see?
![Educational Futures: Challenges and Opportunities SSAT ICT Register Showcase: Achieving Learning Potential Dan Sutch [email_address] @Dannno](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/ssatictregisterkeynoteds-100319052421-phpapp02/85/SSAT-ICT-Register-Keynote-1-320.jpg)
