http://education.guardian.co.uk/cof/story/0,13893,1047449,00.html
If computational power continues to grow in an approximation of Moore's Law, then, as this article indicates, we will have the power of a human brain on a computer before the middle of the decade [if one accepts with the Itanium and similar 64-bit chips that we now have the power of an ant brain on a computer -- itself no mean feat -- then the progression seems inevitable].
Well, perhaps not -- there are no lead pipe cinches in this arena. But should it come to pass, and the thing this article makes worth thinking about, our educational systems will have to change, not only in terms of methodology, but also in terms of product. If technological developments also allow more reliable output measures to be applied [something which is already ongoing] then the radical nature of this set of challenges to the current education system is impossible to overstate.
Again, apocalyptic prognostigations of radical change usually don't pan out...but the current spate of IT offshore outsourcing is a minor indication of the kinds of change in educational goals which technology demands, suggesting we cannot ignore this projection either.
Creative answers here are going to be so valuable that the nation or institution first coming up with them can have a major competitive advantage if such answers can be implemented institutionally. This of course begs the question that existing institutions can implement these answers....
Posted by jho at October 8, 2003 11:09 AM