Considering learning futures: educating educators for tomorrow

Abstract

The concept of Learning Futures has far-reaching implications for lifelong learning as a field of practice. In particular, the challenges of Learning Futures underscore the need for professional educators to update their knowledge and skills so that they may be better equipped for their pivotal role in their students' learning and development. This paper considers the problem of educating educators about Learning Futures. It focuses on the design, development and implementation of a postgraduate course in Learning Futures. Considering the challenges posed by globalisation, technological evolution and forces of change, and building upon fundamental work in the area of Learning Futures, this paper examines the strategies used in teaching and learning about theories for Learning Futures. In particular, the paper highlights strategies used to operationalise a variety of learning theories within a single course in order to provide participants with situated experience with these approaches and identifies key questions which indicate shortcomings in the course