An educator’s challenge:
“Work with us for disruptive change”
John Moravec predicts a revolution, and is calling on
During his presentation to Consult Minnesota Thursday, Aug. 19 at 6 p.m. in the Walnut Room of Axel’s Char House at the Roseville Radisson Hotel, Moravec, a faculty member in Innovation Studies and coordinator of the Leapfrog Institutes at the University of Minnesota, will call on his Consult Minnesota audience to use their technological skills in helping bring about new approaches to infuse creativity and innovation into education.
“As changes in society pressure enormous transformations in education, we need to consider that education at all levels will change so radically that we won’t recognize it,” states Moravec. “Standardized learning – the lecture – is giving way to hands-on, individualized learning at each student’s own pace. Although change will be disruptive, it has many potential benefits.”
Among the advantages of the new educational paradigm are:
- More effective use of scarce assets to meet a rising demand. At the same time, students can access a wider selection of high-quality course offerings and teachers.
- Fewer time constraints. Advanced students no longer have to choose between waiting for others to catch up versus leaving them behind.
- New combinations of tacit and explicit knowledge creation, or invisible learning. As the focus switches away from rote learning merely for higher test scores, students build capacities for continuous learning, unlearning, and relearning – not WHAT to think, but HOW to solve problems.
- New priorities. Says Moravec, “In the age of YouTube lectures, universities need not worry about their bubbles bursting, but rather, what they should be doing in the classrooms instead of lecturing.”
Admission to the August 19th meeting is free. Dinner and beverages are optional at regular prices. All present will be eligible for a free drawing for door prizes including USB flash drives from General Nanosystems and carwashes from Downtowner Express Lube.
Consult Minnesota is a voluntary association of Minnesotans with a shared interest in facilitating Information Technology support to community and non-profit organizations. The group meets bimonthly. Further information is available at www.consult-mn.org or (612) 568-3243.
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EDITORS: These individuals are available for phone and in-person interviews:
John W. Moravec,