Future role of Education
The implications for education of the developments in computer and communication technology are significant. Instant access to text, sound, pictures (both stored and real-time) from around the world can provide a rich, new environment for learning. The flow of information makes it very important for teachers and those who handle education to be increasingly selective in choosing information and handling information. It will also be ever more important to improve information handling skills of the individuals, the skills to access, sort and manipulate information. Individuals will in an increasing manner need to be able to sort through advertisements, consumer group evaluations, energy efficiency ratings and environmental impacts, dealing with complex social issues raised by new technologies, a huge challenge even to the most capable (Hutchinson, 1993). The educational system will also be faced with growing pressure for debating what is the best future for all humankind. There is significant support by those of varied political, religious and philosophical views that there is a need to incorporate and teach values within the educational system. The scientific/technological machine is “increasing momentum, free of public scrutiny” (Hutchinson, 1993, p. 93). Examples are the engineering of new life forms and changing the genetic characteristics of human beings.