“This is an exciting time of change for education in British Columbia” (B.C. Education Plan). The abundance of online technology tools have transformed the very nature of knowledge acquisition at an increasingly rapid pace. I envision that as a result of the ever-changing technological world, the very foundation of education will be altered and potentially abandoned forever. Over time, the traditional learning model will be gradually replaced with technological supported activities (along with a teacher) to support personalized learning environments—students will have the potential to customize their own education to fit their needs. Technology will give rise to seeing education as it should be done: a venue that allows students to specialize and focus their education, such that they are able to follow their interests and passions.
There are many advantages to Web 2.0 and the rise of digital technologies, and the Internet is an effective and potent information system, but ultimately its greatest asset is about connection. The future of education seems to be heading towards a connected and collaborative pursuit. To learn online is to connect with people, tools and information in a way that has never been seen before in education. This is not new for today’s students, as social media and instant messaging have already had a profound effect on the delivery of information and how we communicate with each other. New communication tools have the potential to open new directions for teachers; I foresee that online learning will mark the end to the traditional one-way lecture model of communication, to one that teaches students that everything is about two-way communication, and supporting collaboration and participation in real world communities. Author and teacher, Seth Godin (2012), aptly conveys his thinking on education, stating that the future of education lies in a connected world, one that “…scarcity is replaced by abundance—an abundance of information, networks, and interactions.”
There are many advantages to Web 2.0 and the rise of digital technologies, and the Internet is an effective and potent information system, but ultimately its greatest asset is about connection. The future of education seems to be heading towards a connected and collaborative pursuit. To learn online is to connect with people, tools and information in a way that has never been seen before in education. This is not new for today’s students, as social media and instant messaging have already had a profound effect on the delivery of information and how we communicate with each other. New communication tools have the potential to open new directions for teachers; I foresee that online learning will mark the end to the traditional one-way lecture model of communication, to one that teaches students that everything is about two-way communication, and supporting collaboration and participation in real world communities. Author and teacher, Seth Godin (2012), aptly conveys his thinking on education, stating that the future of education lies in a connected world, one that “…scarcity is replaced by abundance—an abundance of information, networks, and interactions.”