Learning Futures: Education, Technology and Social Change

by Keri Facer

In the twenty-first century, educators around the world are being told that they need to transform education systems to adapt young people for the challenges of a global digital knowledge economy. Too rarely, however, do we ask whether this future vision is robust, achievable or even desirable, whether alternative futures might be in development, and what other possible futures might demand of education.Drawing on ten years of research into educational innovation and socio-technical change, working with educators, researchers, digital industries, students and policy-makers, this book questions taken-for-granted assumptions about the future of education. Arguing that we have been working with too narrow a vision of the future, Keri Facer makes a case for recognizing the challenges that the next two decades may bring, ?the emergence of new relationships between humans and technologythe opportunities and challenges of aging populationsthe development of new forms of knowledge and democracythe challenges of climate warming and environmental disruptionthe potential for radical economic and social inequalities.This book describes the potential for these developments to impact critical aspects of education including adult-child relationships, social justice, curriculum design, community relationships and learning ecologies. Packed with examples from around the world and utilising vital research undertaken by the author while Research Director at the UK s Futurelab, the book helps to bring into focus the risks and opportunities for schools, students and societies over the coming two decades. It makes a powerful case for rethinking the relationship between education and social and technological change, and presents a set of key strategies for creating schools better able to meet the emerging needs of their students and communities.?An important contribution to the debates surrounding educational futures, this book is compelling reading for all of those, including educators, researchers, policy-makers and students, who are asking the question 'how can education help us to build desirable futures for everyone in the context of social and technological change?'

182 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 30, 2011

Reviews

[Tara Brabazon · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fine book. This is a book with something to say - a view to offer - an argument to make. Professor Facer explores how digitization is transforming 'the project' of education, with attendant discussions of the institutions of learning such as schools and universities. There is attention to sustainability, the ageing population and how teaching and learning will transform.

I am particularly impressed by her questioning of the relationship between schools, universities and the workforce. She counterbalances discussions of vocationalism against the importance of building democracy.

The book commences with a quotation from Henry Giroux. Professor Facer continues and applies his passion, power and commitment.

[Lindsay · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall this book was pretty decent. The vision of the 2035 school made it all kind of fall apart for me.