PREPARING FOR THE FUTURE:
An introduction for educators
Description
Futures education or 'futures in education' is the shorthand term used internationally by educators who believe that one of the main tasks of education is to prepare young people for a future that will necessarily be very different from today. This teaching unit will introduce you to the crucial need for a futures perspective in education and the ways in which this can be used to enhance pupils' learning. It will look at how young people feel about the future, locally and globally, and ways in which images of the future affect what we feel is worth doing in the present. It will explore the nature of both probable and preferable futures in the early 21st century and encourage you to think more critically and creatively about your own personal and professional futures.
Outline programme
THINKING ABOUT THE FUTURE
1. Facing the future
2. Images of the future
3. Understanding futures studies
4. Whose futures?
FUTURES IN EDUCATION
5. Ideology and education
6. Teaching about the future
7. Futures in primary school
8. Secondary and youth futures
CHANGING THE FUTURE
9. A sustainable future
10. Climate change
11. Education for sustainability
12. Envisioning preferable futures
Learning outcomes
By the end of this unit you should be able to:
- Understand the need for a futures perspective in the curriculum
- Think critically and creatively about futures related issues
- Develop educational activities that encourage futures-orientated thinking
Using this unit
This teaching unit is aimed primarily at teachers, student teachers and tutors in teacher training. It will also be of interest to anyone wanting to know more about ways of thinking critically and creatively about the future whether in a personal or professional context. Earlier versions of this unit were originally taught as an undergraduate module on an Education Studies degree at a UK university. This unit draws primarily on two academic fields, Education and Futures Studies, and represents an amalgam of the two initially designed for the professional development of primary teachers
There are various ways in which the unit might be used: i) as the basis for a new Education module for students interested in teaching; ii) as the basis of a CPD (Continuing Professional Development) course for teachers; iii) selected sessions can be adapted to match the needs of other modules and courses; iv) to browse and explore for one's own personal or professional development.
A word is needed about the original context of this module. It is largely based and draws on the education system in England and Wales (although as shorthand I use the term UK). Whilst to some this might feel a limitation it is offered as a springboard to develop your own futures thinking and the thinking of those you may teach. It can, of course, be adapted to meet both varying cultural needs and other educational contexts.
If you use or adapt any of this material please credit the author and cite www.teaching4abetterworld.co.uk as your source.
Session format
Each of the unit's twelve sessions are set out in the same format: i) a summary of the session including key reading; ii) a set of lecture notes outlining the main substance of the session; iii) a further reading list; iv) discussion questions.
Summary
Each session is prefaced by a one-page summary which outlines the content of the lecture notes, identifies a key reading, gives discussion questions and subsequent learning outcomes.
Lecture notes
These are just that, notes rather than an in-depth analysis or discussion of the topic in question. The notes are intended to set the scene, provide food for thought and raise relevant questions. They are not sufficient on their own to give you a full grasp of the subject matter.
Key texts
The core text is Lessons for the Future: The missing dimension in education available at £10.00 from enquiries@teaching4abetterworld.co.uk or from Trafford Publishing at £11.95 from www.trafford.com/06-0130. In the further reading I have tried to offer a mix of books, articles and websites. If you have access to a library books and articles may be available through an inter-library loan service. In as many cases as possible the Key Reading listed on the initial summary page will be available as a Download or a website to be accessed.
NB. Libraries
If you are a student or tutor do make sure your university or college library has copies of the four key sources below – the first two are on futures and education the latter two on futures thinking more widely.
- Hicks, D. (2006) Lessons for the Future: The missing dimension in education, Victoria BC: Trafford Publishing
- Gidley, J. and Inayatullah, S. (eds) (2002) Youth Futures: Comparative research and transformative visions, Westport, CT: Praeger
- Bell, W. (1997) Foundations of Futures Studies, 2 vols. London/New York: Transaction Publishers
- Slaughter, R, (ed) (2005) Knowledge Base of Futures Studies, Professional Edition, CD-ROM, Brisbane: Foresight International
References & key reading
Please note this section contains most of the references given in the Lecture Notes and also highlights with an asterisk (*) the most important sources that you need to read.
Discussion
In order to achieve any of the Learning Outcomes it is important to carry out as much further reading as you can and, ideally, this should involve discussion with others. This could be in the form of a 'conversation' with oneself, it could be with interested friends or a more formal small group, it could be with colleagues.
Whatever the context it is always useful prior to such discussion to start with five minutes of personal reflection and jotting in relation to the questions. This will help you clarify what you are thinking/feeling before sharing it with others. Whoever the 'others' are it is important to be as succinct as you can and also to really listen to what others are saying. You will find the Discussion skills in groups useful here.
The sequence for each session, therefore, is: i) lecture notes; ii) key reading; iii) further reading; iv) discussion and résumé of learning.