Learning: Million Futures

At Million Futures (part of the Beyond Current Horizons project by Futurelab and the DCSF), virtual paper planes invite anyone to add their views and replies to questions on the future of learning (though originally intended for the UK, questions apply to learning in general and are food for thought for educators and learners around the globe. However, it’d be great if an idea like this were implemented for Europe, on a wider scale).

These are the 5 questions:

It’s definitely an original (eye candy) way of consulting the public on the biggest challenges faced by education in the (and for the) 21st century. Select the question and then click on a paper plane, it’ll open and then you can leave your own answer (anonymously):

A lesson plan for the classroom is also included, to raise learners’ aspirations to influence and change their own future.

I already replied to one of their questions: “What of today’s education do you want to see in 2025?” Learners, i.e. you and me.

I do encourage you to leave your thoughts and engage in the conversation.

[Beyond Current Horizons via Education Futures]

Via Twine, knowmad Giorgio Bertini sent me a must read report called “School’s Over: Learning Spaces in Europe in 2020: An Imagining Exercise on the Future of Learning”. People have a lot to say regarding alternative ways to current traditional educational systems, as they conclude:

“it is important to anchor this kind of policy effort in a participatory policy formation process. A process that involves as a first step making specific assumptions - including people’s current values, expectations, and anticipatory models - more explicit and problematical. Then the next step is to use people’s imaginations to rigorously reconsider the potential of the present as a way to be more effective at questioning the assumptions that underpin choice.”

Million Futures is an instance of the participatory process they claim. Thus, shouldn’t we seize the chance?