Futurama in 2015

Looking towards the future as depicted by the iN2015 video, Second Life and the COTF, there were both doubts and excitement regarding it. Ok, First up, the bad stuff and then followed by the good ones.

Doubts
Being a technological idiot, i wonder if i'm able to keep pace with the rapid changes in technology. After all, all i know is to use Microsoft office, email, facebook, msn and surf the Net. And i'm already having trouble following all this! how am i gonna keep pace with the rapid developments in technology? Worse still, how am i gonna check up with the digital natives that i will be teaching?

Second, even though the video showed everyone being happy and all cheerful, how would the invasion of technology into our lives affect the way how we connect? Would my students chose to live their lives (literally) in Second Life as opposed to making friends and developing their social skills in the real world?

Lastly, with regards to the COTF, would i as the teacher be so reliant on technology that i lose focus?

Possibilities / Excitement
The iN2015 video does show tremendous possibilities! i mean, wow if technology would be at such a level in 7 years, i'll be hugely impressed. The ability to seamlessly network and use technology in our daily lives would greatly add to our level of convenience!

Theres also huge potential for education in Second Life. Instead of having to learn the traditional way, a learning quest could be design for students, making it enjoyable yet educational for them. We need to come up with ways that suit how the Digital natives learn and the traditional methods wouldn't work. Integrating education with what they are already using i.e. Second Life, would aid in enabling them to have self directed learning

With the COTF, the shift from a teacher centred to a student centred mode of learning is central to the theme of future learning. I like the way how the emphasize is on the student and best part is that he can learn at his own pace.


What is learning like in the COTF? What might learning be like in Singapore in 2015?
As mentioned previously, learning is the COTF is largely a student centred and the student is able to learn at his/her own pace. The teacher acts more like a facilitator and guide rather than a central figure to learning. I think the using of educational games is a great tool to enable the digital natives to learn and absorb knowledge in a fun and non-threatening way


How is NIE preparing you for such environments? How might you prepare yourself as a teacher?
With the ICT course that i am currently undergoing, i am being exposed to new trends and shifts in education. The course has expose me to how technology is being integrated into the classroom and how education is being transformed.

Well as the old saying goes "if you can't beat them, join them", what better way to prepare than to use the technology that the children will be using. Being expose to commonly used software like MSN, video games, networking sites like Facebook, would help me to understand the mindset of the students.