Corning just released their second video “A Day Made of Glass 2″ which I’ve embedded below. If you haven’t seen the first one it’s worth a watch as well.
What are your thoughts on this future of education? Or our future as a society?
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They are working on some really cool ideas. It reminds me of the Microsoft video that has been out for a bit. Here’s a link to see that video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Ff7SzP4gfg In Microsoft’s video, they’ve labeled it for the year 2019. It’s hard to believe that is only 7 years away, but if you think 7 years back technology has made a lot of changes since 2004. So, I suppose, anything is possible!
A student shared the first Corning video with me last year. It is all very slick and seductive, but I am starting to think more about the environmental and labor consequences of the planned obsolescence and increasing demand inherent in rapid development of digital technology. The scarcity and control of rare earth metals and minerals required to produce much of this technology will certainly lead to unforeseen future problems. My MacBook Pro is four years (very) old. My wife’s iPhone 4S will be old in a year. It would be great to see more sustainable machines that can be upgraded rather than discarded.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/12/20/apple-blast-pegatron-plant-china_n_1160208.html
I agree about needing technology to be more sustainable. I was just thinking about this on my way to work this morning and about how so many people buy the latest and newest just because it is there. What happens to the old devices? Since they are obsolete, do we just toss them? In some ways, new technology is becoming very consumer driven.
With regards to the actual video, it does seem very futuristic, but perhaps music on an Ipod is as futuristic if we look back to cassettes and CDs, etc. What we can do with this new technology in the classroom is amazing as long as we know how to use it.
One thing we talk about often is how the tech field is the one subject in which students are just naturally going to know more or be more natural since they are growing up with it and adults are having to learn it (whatever that it is). As important as sustainable technology is sustainable knowledge. In order to most effectively use the technology, we need to create time to learn it and play with it.
It’s funny our futuristic this stuff looks but all of the glass part is already in production and the software/technology piece isn’t that far behind.
Here’s my question: What are the skills students need if this is their world? What role does content play? And what is more important skills or content?
Don’t worry this will be a recurring theme throughout the program.
I think people are just going to have to face the fact that content will lose its importance. Skills are what matter. I keep asking myself as I put in countless hours studying Chinese whether it is really even worth it. I can pretty much already speak into my phone in English and it will speak back to me in Mandarin. No matter how hard I study, I will likely never be able to translate better than it can. I will get better, but so will it!
I hear plenty of moaning and groaning about how our children can’t stay focused or don’t want to memorize things. I don’t necessarily see either of those as a negative. Knowledge will be ubiquitous and available anywhere, so learning how to process and apply that information is what our students are going to need.
I have to say I agree about the memorization aspect of learning. In education we sometimes focus so much on learning facts verses how to find facts and what to do with them.
I think we have to need to shift from memorization, to acquisition of information and application.
Wow!
Makes me want to leave teaching and work for these guys, then go back to teaching with the toys.
That people are truly looking at the future, not only for financial gain, but trying to incorporate smaller footprints, seamless integration, aesthetics and above all, making more possibilities for learning and collaborating with others. That, to me, is exciting. The question I have is how do we get ideas like this or minds developing this to invest in those in need. Access (like the computer in the wall) is the key just like the first books out of the monasteries were centuries ago.
The idea of this classroom is exciting and futuristic; however, I can’t help but think about the impact of the speed of technological advances on students in remote places. My students don’t have access to high level technology, and they could actually afford it. Yet I fear their continual lack of access is widening the gap between them and other international students. How can we help them to compete on a global level when they are unable to keep up with the ever changing face of technology? What consequences are there for all students who lack the means to access even the simplest of technologies?
Ben brought up a issue that had not crossed my mind, that of environmental impact on ever increasing tech toys. I have an OLD PC (8 yrs.), a 6 yr old MacBook that is on its last legs, and a new MacBook & iPad. Disposing of older tech is a concern.
Sarah’s point about a widening gap hit a mark for me. I taught for many years where bandwith and the ability to have tech hardware was available. Students certainly couldn’t (and still can’t) afford it and the school district is eeking by with bare minimum. How far behind will they get.
Corning has presented some challenges for us. I like the idea of a whole wall as a screen in the room along with desks being tied in. The small pads will allow us to organize better, to connect easily, and with cloud storage always able to communicate across the world. Experts don’t need to visit us, we can go to them.
I don’t want a computer on my bathroom mirror reminding me of things.
My previous comment should have said, “where bandwith and the ability to have tech hardware was NOT available.”
I finally had a chance to watch this video….wow! I like the idea that it will “break down barriers” at work, school, and home. To have everything in one place and to be able to share that information so easily just boggles my mind. I think about everything I have in order to keep my life straight…three computers, calendar, iPhone….the list goes on and on. At the same time I worry about the same things Ben Thompson mentioned in his comment regarding the impact on the environment and its resources. Is there a better way to develop machines so instead of the old being disgarded, they can be upgraded?
Ok, it’s the teacher in me….I don’t like to misspell words. In the last line, the word “disgarded” should be spelled “discarded”.
Now I feel better!
To think 20 some years ago I was introduced to an Apple computer that looked like a big square brick, did a couple of things and I thought it was amazing. Now look where we are and where we are headed. Life, teaching and the way our students will learn is going to be mind blowing.
What are the skills students need if this is their world? The ability to be fearless and embrace the technology? But I to worry about will it be affordable for all and accessible.
Love your question:
I show this video at presentations and then ask people the same question. It’s a good one to ponde. Worse thing about the vide. Kids still in desks, still in rows, teacher still in the front of the room. Why can we not shake that image of education?
I wonder if children in the future will have to have hugely different skills than the students we teach today. In their young lives they are always learning, and always adapting to these new learnings. The difference is, that they will simply have so many more opportunities to help their learning than the children today have. I look at my own children (4 and 5 years). The often used phrase “Digital Natives” is alive and well in our household. They use Ipods, computers, video consoles etc without a second thought. I imagine that if the AMAZING products in this video are truly a part of their education, they will adapt accordingly.
Being a bit of a clean freak, I do question how completely pristine a world of glass can be kept though. And what if it breaks? In saying that, the video was mind boggling and I certainly hope that I get a good chance to play with all these gadgets in my lifetime.
Think of all the fingerprints!