Reclaiming education for inclusive, democratic institutions

Misinformation spreads quickly and often hides behind the facade of critical thinking. The U.S. is learning this the hard way. State-sponsored disinformation campaigns, particularly from Russia, have become adept at using skepticism to undermine democratic societies. They exploit the language of doubt to sow confusion and erode trust in institutions. At the same time, we witness disturbing trends within education and society: the banning of books in schools under the guise of protecting children from “controversial” content, attacks on transgender students framed as safeguarding traditional va...

Nov 25, 2024

The challenge: Our current educational systems are often failing to produce active, engaged citizens capable of nurturing inclusive institutions. Mainstream schools focus on rote learning and standardized testing, often neglecting the crucial development of critical thinking and civic engagement. If we continue down this path, we risk raising generations ill-equipped to challenge unjust institutions or to participate meaningfully in democracy.

Oct 14, 2024

El desafío: nuestros sistemas educativos actuales a menudo están fallando en producir ciudadanos activos y comprometidos capaces de nutrir instituciones inclusivas. Las escuelas convencionales se centran en el aprendizaje memorístico y los exámenes estandarizados, a menudo descuidando el desarrollo crucial del pensamiento crítico y la participación cívica. Si continuamos por este camino, corremos el riesgo de criar generaciones mal equipadas para desafiar instituciones injustas o participar significativamente en la democracia.

Oct 14, 2024

Sure, AI can rapidly produce learning materials, but here’s the real question: does this technology truly address the evolving needs of learners?

Sep 30, 2024

In recent talks in Argentina, Spain, and Colombia, I delved into the competencies essential for "knowmads" in the age of artificial intelligence (AI). This transformative era requires a shift in how educators approach teaching and learning, and it’s critical to understand what this means for teachers today.

Let’s start with a fundamental question: If technology is the solution, what was the problem? I've long argued our educational systems are lagging, stuck in "School 1.0" while society moves swiftly towards "Society 4.0." This disconnection means our traditional approaches are increasingly i...

Jun 3, 2024

The reality is, as AI becomes more capable of performing tasks traditionally reserved for STEM professionals, the unique value of purely technical skills may have limited value.

Feb 16, 2024

Developments in artificial intelligence are rapidly advancing, and it begs the question: can we keep up? As technology evolves at an unprecedented pace, it's becoming increasingly difficult to comprehend the new world that's emerging. Are we at risk of being left behind as technology accelerates beyond the capacities of human imagination? How can we adapt and keep pace with this new reality?

Jan 19, 2024

In an AGI-dominated landscape, human-centric skills such as emotional intelligence, ethical judgment, and cross-cultural competence will be critical. Our educational systems must adapt, integrating project-based learning, digital literacy, and a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship. This will transform schools and universities into incubators of creativity, where students learn to leverage technology for problem-solving and innovation.

Dec 6, 2023

After decades of wondering if calculators, phones, or Wikipedia have a place in schools, the next target is obviously generative AI. The entry of ChatGPT into educational spheres has incited a range of reactions among educators, some of whom see it as a powerful tool for engagement and personalized learning, while others view it with skepticism and concerns about its potential to encourage plagiarism and erode critical thinking skills. The duality of these perspectives opens an important dialogue on the role AI should play in the development of learning environments that are both innovative and ethically sound.

Dec 5, 2023

Manifesto 15, conceptualized in 2015, is a forward-thinking document outlining a vision for the future of education. It proposes a shift from traditional, rigid, and standardized educational models to flexible, learner-centered, and experience-driven paradigms that embrace change, encourage lifelong learning, and foster creativity. In an era characterized by rapid technological advancements and societal changes, the document serves as a framework, enabling educators, learners, and policymakers to adapt to and navigate through these transformations, thereby shaping an educational landscape that is inclusive, dynamic, and future-ready. Manifesto 15 was built to help us handle future. Does it hold up today?

Jul 24, 2023

I sat down for a chat with OpenAI's ChatGPT chatbot, which has been receiving much attention for some stunning (and not so stunning) responses to questions based on a large language model. So what does it have to say about the future of education?

Jan 3, 2023

The world approaches 2023 very differently than it did four years ago. We are faced with increasing global challenges: climate catastrophes, pandemics, wars with global repercussions, and the weaponization of false narratives. Our economies and workforces shifted. We no longer feel as global with continued supply chain breakdowns. We work increasingly remotely. We are rethinking the designs of our cities. And we embraced distance learning.

Dec 29, 2022

When we wrote the book, neither Cristóbal nor I had any idea it would be so well-received and have a tremendous impact, particularly in Latin America and Spain. It has been an honor to see it adopted as a text by teacher training universities, used by students throughout the region, and even inspire works by other authors.

Apr 1, 2021

I am pleased to share the revised scope and call for papers for consideration in On the Horizon: The International Journal of Learning Futures. We remain committed to regional, gender, and cultural diversity. We further aim to bring voice to those who are typically marginalized. If you have an idea for a paper you would like to discuss or are interested in joining the editorial board, please get in touch with me!

Mar 2, 2021

On the Horizon explores issues that have been emerging (and have been accelerated by the pandemic), as technology changes the nature of education and learning within and among institutions, and across geo-political boundaries, recognizing learning increasingly takes place outside of the traditional institutional environment.

Jan 21, 2021

From June 1, 2020 until March 1, 2021, I am offering free, online talks to organizations that make a meaningful donation to fight the global COVID-19 crisis.

May 5, 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic is a global crisis, and yet it rips the people of the world apart. Social distancing is practiced in communities and borders are closed—in some cases nearly hermetically. International students are finding themselves isolated and stranded, if not sent back to their homes. In a period driven by fear, the human yearning to explore and build connections has never felt so urgent.

Apr 15, 2020

In the recently released book, Emerging education futures: Experiences and visions from the field, Leona Ungerer looks at how artificial intelligence impacts higher education. She further addresses concerns about incorporating it in higher education contexts, especially in emerging countries such as South Africa, where an ecosystem is forming to support applications of AI in education.

Feb 23, 2020

Bob Kartous issues a warning: If we don’t make serious efforts to invest in and modernize education, we are headed for a future with massive socioeconomic inequity, where citizens will be placated through what he calls “sugars and cybersugars,” and where the fabric of our democracies may be destroyed by disengagement and weaponized postmodernism.

Jan 23, 2020