Future of Education?

I think so! See Sal Khan's TED talk:

http://www.ted.com/talks/salman_khan_let_s_use_video_to_reinvent_education.html

and

http://www.khanacademy.org/

In a nutshell he is suggesting that internet technology can be used to make good quality lectures and tests available for everyone. Anyone, even those without educational opportunities -- he gives the example of a child laborer from Calcutta -- can come home and go through these at his/her leisure. He points that a lot of kids cannot keep up with the pace of the traditional classroom and lag behind as a result, and if the basics are not strong rest of the material will just go over the top. Online learning can help students master the basics at their own pace and then only after they are comfortable (which the online tests are very good at measuring) are the advised to advanced to the next level.

The role of a teacher is not diminished in this setting. Since it is straightforward to track the learning of students -- thanks to the software tools -- the teacher can spend time with their students on their weaknesses. The advanced students can tutor their friends stuck at topics they have mastered. The whole classroom experience becomes much more productive than the traditional way. The learning experience becomes much more collaborative, as it is in the real world. e.g., if someone wants to open a business he/she does not just read books on this and take tests. He/she talks to friends who are business-owners, he/she surveys the web, and so on. Why shouldn't we aim for education that helps everyone in a real sense! The negative impact of grades, classes, exams, etc. are much less deleterious in this system and they learn what they should in a productive way.

I hope teachers -- especially those from areas with limited access to good quality teachers -- try these online resources to make the learning experience more rewarding and productive.