Education (learning)

Tomorrow Now: Envisioning the Next 50 Years

Tomorrow Now book coverBruce Sterling has written three non-fiction books. This is his second and was published in 2003. It's a multilayered work, with seven stages (chapters) based on William Shakespeare's As You Like It, in which Jaques's monologue outlines the seven ages of man as infant, schoolboy, lover, soldier, justice, and at the end of life. Through each stage, Sterling looks at current (at the time) research and runs it out 50 years, to the middle of our century, attempting to paint a picture of how our lives will change.

Artifact from the future: Species Design Symposium

Subway view of artifact contentAnother great artifact from Institute for the Future. This time focusing on the use of genetics to create predator species capable of limiting the growth of problem species - ocean species in this scene.

It raises some good questions and brings together a few current trends: genetic engineering, failure of ecosystems as important species are wiped out to provide food (whether they are the food species or depend on disappearing habitat), and using prize money to crowd-source innovations.

Eradicating Global Poverty

Poor under a tarpJanuary is being celebrated as Poverty Awareness Month. Several articles on the state of poverty have been written, but two of the more interesting ones I've read come from two very different viewpoints. The first is Bill Gates' annual letter, outlinging his concern and attempt to update "3 myths that block progress for the poor." The second is an article by Dale Hanson Bourke, "Why Am I Not Poor?", on Christianity Today where she reflects and contrasts her context and experiences with individuals living in poverty who she has met around the world.

Ideas for dealing with rising ocean levels

Floating school plan for NigeriaUsually, lists of interesting pictures do little more than stoke the imagination. That's great, but it's so much better when you can see some interesting ideas that could actually solve real issues. An article on Discovery.com provides a dozen ideas for dealing with rising ocean levels and also creating energy (I assume because land-based energy sources will use too much important above-water property).

 

Increasingly inexpensive telepresence aims at the home

Beam+ telepresence device with two childrenSuitable Technologies has announced a telepresence robot, the Beam+, for just under $2000 (pre-order for $995). The device offers a 10-inch screen using two cameras and 4 microphones for video teleconferencing, which is build onto a stalk and moved about by a three wheeled based controlled by the "visitor" through an application on the their end.

 

Childlike learning at any age

Takai Hensch, a Harvard professor of molecular and cellular biology, is researching valproic acid* to enhance learning. VPA is used to treat several conditions (see below*), but Hensch is researching the chemical's ability to provide adult brains with the plasticity children experience when it comes to learning new skills and to absorb new information.

In his research (via PubMed.gov), Hensch is focused on teaching adults perfect pitch. But the applications could enable learning in nearly any field. The expectation is an increase in how well adults can take in information in order to speed their learning of new material. When you consider how long it takes to master some specialties, this could help learners increase the speed through which they can cover material and provide extra years of work at higher levels. It would be a major breakthrough for increasing the efficiency of preparing humans for nearly all types of work.

Zero-G: Training

“Keene and Ploski.”

Gabe righted himself, rotating to press his feet against the pads and pressing against his hold on the tether.  Releasing the tether, he launched towards the red start position.  It was smooth sailing across the 15 meters or so, gliding to the platform over the heads of his fellow trainees.

Zero-G: Training

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“Keene and Ploski.”

Gabe righted himself, rotating to press his feet against the pads and pressing against his hold on the tether.  Releasing the tether, he launched towards the red start position.  It was smooth sailing across the 15 meters or so, gliding to the platform over the heads of his fellow trainees.

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Home sick, but learning

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“Guess what, class?”  Mrs. Higglemeister waved everyone to silence.  “I’d like us to welcome Katie back today. She’s able to join us from home until she can return to school and you can see she’s in her desk as if she was here.”

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