The Future of Education

[tltrude]

Just had a thought about the future of education. Of course this is all fictional but, in light of recent events, could happen.

Lets say that, in the near future, the tragedy at Verginia Tech happens three or more times in the space of a year. A dozen teachers and over a hunderd students are killed. Teachers, parents, and politicians are frantic to find some kind of solution. In steps Bill Gates, or maybe Al Gore, And a system of "Vertual Education" is quickly set up.

Children of wealthy parents no longer need to attend real schools (this is already possible). But, it doesn't take long for the classes to become totally computer generated -- CGI teachers controlled by interactive software. Educational corporations pop up everywhere (not just at the empty college campuses) to create and administer thousands of customized teaching programs.

Poor children will still have to attend communal "Vercs" (Vertual Educational Rally Centers). The students call them "Vercities", but they no longer ressemble schools. They're run solely by security firms and there are guards in every room, armed with tazers. Students must ware tight fitting (orange) jump suits. They are not allowed to carry anything in, or out, of a center, except a single flash drive which holds their personal ID and interactive software.

The quality of Education (software) will be low at Vercs because public money will dry up when the wealthy kids leave. It will all be funded, and regulated, by the Federal Government.

I could go on and on, but what do you think?

[hogleg]

I can see it becoming a police state, where our rights don't exist any more. You can be searched for no reason at any time.

Bottom line is that guns are to accessable, kids don't fully understand the devastation that can be brought by them.

(edited for risky content)

I think the only way to curve this trend is to outlaw guns! Get them out of homes, maybe you could own one but it must be locked up at a shooting range.

As far as Colleges collapsing...I can't really see that but they will turn into a police state. But the wealthy may turn to other means of educating their children via pc.

Interesting concept

[lizardkid]

Yes, take away our rights, that keeps us from being a police state and lowers gun crimes. Of course, why aren't we doing that?! We should all follow Britains' example.

The shooter got all his guns legally and even faked through every psychiatric test; they rated him high on awareness and coherancy. Putting more laws isn't going to stop anyone; it just makes them get them illegally.

People can kill with their bare hands, but we haven't outlawed those. It doesn't matter what's in their hand when they kill, it's still the person killing. Better parenting/education is the key.

Speaking of which i sort of like the idea Tom, but software can't provide kids with a teacher quite as well as a person can. I think hybrid classes are great, especially for colleges, but for k-12 i can't see anyone trusting a computer more than a teacher; no matter how bad either one is.

[tltrude]

I read that Intel is working on an "80" core processor for home use. It wont be long before CGI and reality merge! Corprate learning centers are here now (with real teathers). A good example would be Sylvan Learning Centers. "Sylvan offers the convenience of in-center or live, online tutoring at home."

If the demand for "online" teachers goes up, because of safty issues, AI teachers can't be far off. I agree that shooting spit wads at an artificial teacher is not as much fun, but it may come to that.

[*GCC*Nigel]

Guns don't kill people, People kill people. If guns kill people, then pencils make mistakes and spoons make Oprah fat.