Back to the Future

The videos below were produced over 30 years ago as an imagining of technology in the "classroom of the future." In many ways, this seems like self-fulfilled prophecy. Certainly, many works of science fiction have inspired innovators to attempt to make real what was once merely an idea. I was born in the 1980's, so I can't be sure what kind of technology existed at that time. I have vague recollections of what computers could do when I was young child. What I can say with confidence is that many of these predictions are spot-on. Video conferencing and readily available home technology are now commonplace. The ability to research any topic at home via a computer is a reality. The technology to display information to a class using a screen rather than a chalkboard is commonplace as well.

Some differences exist, as well. For instance, our technology is more lightweight in design and more portable. Instead of installing actual computer screens into classroom walls, we use projector screens that can be rolled up, or smart boards that (sometimes) can be moved. Instead of clunky screens that are voice activated, tablets are smaller, portable, and touch-activated. I doubt the filmmaker could have seen that coming. Our voice technology is slightly more advanced than portrayed as well; for instance, Siri can seem very conversational, and can follow some pretty complex instructions and commands.

The biggest difference is the internet. For the most part, we don't need to access special libraries and databases to do high school research papers. All of the information that the students researched could easily be found on the internet today. That being said, it doesn't mean that special archives and libraries don't exist today; as a college student, I needed to use the library to access some specialized information. In cases like those, the search functions we use today are not so simple as portrayed. We cannot use simple voice commands to access special databases. Rather, we use passcodes and typed search functions to access and sift through information. In fact, I'd say we have too much information to navigate, compared to the direct and streamlined portrayal in the videos. We don't have a computer to sift through it for us and spoon feed us the exact information we're looking for.


Classroom of the Future (Part 1) by donaldtheduckie

Classroom of the Future (Part 2) by donaldtheduckie

Classroom of the Future (Part 3) by donaldtheduckie