By Stephen Downes - Stephen's Web. The Educational Testing Service reports: * substantial disparities in skill levels (reading and math) * seismic economic changes (widening wage gaps) * sweeping demographic shifts (less education, lower skills). And it seems to me that what we are seeing is one attempt at education reform after another as a substitute for addressing the persistent and pervasive problem standing in the way of achievement in society: the ever widening gap in socio-economic status and opportunity. More...

By Stephen Downes - Stephen's Web. On "The Perils of Stargazing" and the NMC Horizon Report
Scott Leslie (who has just switched from Movable Type to WordPress and so now has comments working) defends the NMC Horizon Report predictions listed here yesterday, calling them "that actually seem to bear some resemblance to conceivable futures, not 'wished for' futures..." Well, maybe, but as I said yesterday, the NMC list isn't a list of 'futures', conceivable or otherwise, it's a list of vague fads or trends everyone felt safe predicting, without regard to whether it had already happened or whether it was just some corporate hype. For the record, I do prefer Leslie's list: automatic translation, intelligent tutoring, and distributed identity. If you want more ideas, you could look at the KnowledgeWorks Foundation's Education map of the decade. More...

By Stephen Downes - Stephen's Web. Various authors[Edit][Delete]: First National Report on Post-Secondary Education Paints Worrisome Picture for Canada's Future, Canadian Council on Learning [Edit][Delete] December 11, 2006
What are the goals and objectives of the post-secondary system in Canada? According to a report just released by the Canadian Council on Learning, they are as follows:

1. A skilled and adaptable workforce to meet the human resource needs of the country
2. Capacity for innovation, knowledge creation, and knowledge transfer
3. Active, healthy citizenry
4. Quality PSE and training
5. Access for all Canadians
6. Participation and success of under-represented groups
7. Lifelong learning
8. Affordable and sustainable PSE and training

As an observer I find it remarkable that 'workforce' and 'human resource needs' are so high on the list, though I do note that they mention 'access' and 'health' - no mention of fulfillment and happiness, though. More...