source: www.theguardian.com

Let’s face it folks, the future is here.

There is no one out there that can predict the future, and that is why we need to be process-centered about the future of educational technology. In just a few short years, the following innovations will be knocking on your classroom door…. will you be ready?

The interesting aspect of these “future” innovations is that they are already here!

• Seasteading – Floating cities seeking to revolutionize governments and communities
• Downloaded consciousness – You mean in the future we won’t just be downloading the newest version of Angry Birds? According to research, scientists are working on developing an artificial brain.
• Increased city population/living – City schools will be the norm, but will they look similar to today? Chances are they won’t.
• Artificial hearing and seeing – The blind will be able to see and the deaf will be able to hear through Artificial Intelligence.
• A new, better language – Researchers and scientists are currently exploring language. What is going to be the language of the future? Is there something better for computer interface and development?
• Brainwave reading technology – Is there an algorithm that can understand, and interpret the human mind?
• Holograms – Why not interact with something you would normally see in the computer?
• Robotic organs – A working body with artificial parts.
• Magic Leap – In the future, everything will be a game. This augmented reality is being funded by Google.
• Exoskeleton suits – The ability to boost your running, jumping and medical advances can turn you into real life Iron-person.
• Oculus Rift – A head mount display that can take you into another universe.
• Robots – Life like robots that will be difficult to identify from humans.

source: bgr.com

Seem like science-fiction? Can these innovations really knock at your 10th grade biology or second grade Math class? Maybe not tomorrow, but for schools we need to consider how these innovations will impact us.

Consider these questions as you look around your classroom, school, or district:

• How much longer will we have textbooks?
• How much longer will be have laptops?
• What will we do with Robot teachers?
• What will we do with brick and mortar school buildings?
• How will we teach?
• How will we learn?

These may seem like far-out questions, but the important part of all this is our ability to be prepared to understand the impact on learning. Working collaboratively with other schools, states and countries will be the key to solving problems we didn’t know we had.

What do you think? Are you ready for the future?