MODULE 1: THE FUTURE OF EDUCATION

Section 1: Reading

BEFORE READING
a) Do you think it is important to adapt to the new ICTs? Why? Why
not?

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

b) Relate some of these expressions to the pictures. Can you

explain what these expressions mean? In what contexts can
they be used? Do you have experience in using these
technologies?

interactive desks – interactive walls – holograms

3D printers – augmented reality – virtual reality

(a) (b)

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(c) (d)

(e) (f)

WHILE READING
a) While reading this article, complete the missing subheadings
with the vocabulary in the previous activity. There is one extra
expression.

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 The Classroom of the Future
“2026 might sound like a long way
away, but technology is evolving rapidly,”
says Simon Nutt from Hope Education.
Here are a few examples of the
things we can expect to see in learning
environments in the next decade.
1)…………………….
When we were at school, chalk
boards were the norm, but times have
changed. Because of the rise of tablets
and smartphones, old-fashioned boards will
soon be replaced with something more
similar to touch-screen technology.
An interactive LCD wall will deliver
learning points and allow for multiple
learners to touch the screen at once. This
facilitates 'active learning', which
encourages a positive and proactive
attitude towards education.
In fact, these interactive walls could
be operated by learners not only in their
classroom, but by learners from classrooms
all over the world with similar technology
installed.
2)…………………….
Besides, students of the future will
benefit from touch-screen technology at
their own desks. Individual interactive desks
mean that no single student will
‘monopolise’ the interactive wall.
Interactive desks ensure “fair and equal
access” to learning so that learners can
complete the tasks set by their tutors.
3)…………………….
Our children are likely to benefit
from the advancements in holography and
learning from 3D images beamed into the
centre of their classrooms. In fact, some
people believe that the next step for
holography in education will be
holographic telepresence.
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4)…………………….
Another technology that children of
the future are going to experience is the
use of 3D printers in their classrooms. Tutors
will be able to use 3D printers to literally
bring theoretical, abstract ideas to life in
tangible form.
3D printers are also going to allow
our future professionals to create
prototypes of their work. This is an exciting
prospect for learners studying art or
engineering as they can have a real
understanding of whether or not their ideas
are achievable.
5)………………………….
The use of virtual reality in the
classroom can be the most exciting
innovation. Virtual reality is often used to
teach pilots how to fly planes, or to prepare
soldiers for combat; by 2026, it's thought
that it will be used to deliver lots of learning
materials to students.
Moreover, virtual reality can be a
great tool to keep students engaged. For
example, learning about 'best practices' in
a science laboratory, or visiting faraway
places in a Geography lesson is infinitely
more engaging when students can work
their way around a virtual lab.
Therefore, in ten years' time, don't
be surprised if your child comes home to tell
you that they've spent the day in an
archaeological site in Egypt while wearing
a headset, or learnt about the climate of
the Himalayas by walking around a
hologram projection of a mountain range.
After lunch, they might run between their
interactive walls and desks, 3D printers and
hologram machines to learn times tables
using the very latest tools.
Adapted from:
https://www.theschoolrun.com/classroom-of-the-future
AFTER READING
a) Answer the following questions.

1. Which of the technologies above are you familiar with?

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
2. To your knowledge, which technology is not available in Argentine
universities?
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
b) Complete the sentences by using the following connectors and, so,
because, but or if.

1. Old-fashioned boards ..................................................................

2. The use of holography .................................................................
3. Students of the future .................................................................
4. Virtual reality .............................................................................

c) Let’s focus on this idea from the text: “Times have changed.” What
is your opinion? Is it positive or negative?

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

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 POSSIBLE ANWERS

Dado que el estudiante debe interactuar con el texto de la Sección 1, muchas

de las respuestas son de inferencia y/u opinión. Por lo tanto, la gran mayoría
de respuestas que se presentan a continuación son a modo de ejemplo.

BEFORE READING
a.
Do you think it is important to adapt to the new ICTs? Why? Why not?
I think/ believe/ have the opinion that/ I would say that… (for more useful
expressions, revise Level 1) it is (not) important to adapt to the new ICTs
because… (Reasons may vary)

b.
Relate some of these expressions to the pictures.
Picture A: Virtual Reality
Picture B: 3D printers
Picture C: Interactive Walls
Picture D: Holograms
Picture F: Augmented Reality
Picture G: Interactive Desks
(Tiene disponible el audio del artículo completo en el archivo MP4 publicado en
la Semana 1.)

Can you explain what these expressions mean?

In picture A, there’s a man wearing headsets. Yes! I suppose this picture
shows the use of Virtual Reality.

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In what contexts can they be used?
I believe VR can be also used in Educational settings…

Do you have experience in using these technologies?

I have plenty of experience in using…/I don’t have much experience in using….

WHILE READING
1. Interactive walls
2. Interactive desks
3. Holograms
4. 3D printers
5. Virtual Reality

AFTER READING
a.1. Which of the technologies above are you familiar with?
I’m familiar with holograms and 3d printers. (Answers may vary.)
a.2. To your knowledge, which technology is not available in Argentine
universities?
I think/suppose that interactive walls are not available in Argentine
universities. (Answers may vary.)

b. Las oraciones que se formen en este ejercicio dependerán de su

conocimiento de los conectores y de la información que se decida
extraer del texto.

1. Old-fashioned boards will disappear because they will be replaced

with something more similar to touch screen technology.
2. The use of holography will benefit children, but teachers need to
train to use it effectively.
3. Students of the future will learn better if these new technologies are
implemented.

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 4. Virtual reality is often used to teach pilots to fly or to prepare
soldiers for combat.

c.
To my mind, it is positive. Changes are beneficial for our society!
I don’t think it is positive. If people don’t have access to technology, what will
they do?
(Answers may vary.)

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