Running Future Workshops to Improve and Enhance
Education Practice

Urban Nulden

Department of Informatics, Goteborg University, Sweden

Abstract:

This paper presents a theoretical and practical framework for Informatics research in the area of education. The context for this research is Sweden where schools often have an advanced infrastructure of computers and networks but the use, by teachers, of the technology, is very limited. The reason for this is two highly interrelated issues, first, teachers do not know what to do with the technology, second, many of the teachers are sceptic to the technology as well as conservative and reluctant to change their current practice. This paper presents an alternative where both these issues are governed.

1.Motivation
A new society is emerging and there are many notions of what this society is: post-industrial society, information society, learning society, digital society, etc. However, despite different notions, proponents agree that computing technology (CT) is an important part in this new society. The importance of CT is of course recognized in the education system. Community leaders, school boards, legislators, parents, etc., proclaim the value of this technology. Therefore, a large number of schools have an advancedinfrastructure of computers and networks due to a 'push'. By this, schools ensure that students are exposed to computing technology as it will be a major part of their future lives. However, in this push, most teachers had no chance to assimilate and explore the technology on their own terms, and as a result of this, combined with a conservative attitude, their use of CT is very limited and this is a problem.
This paper discuss three issues related to this problem. First, adapting CT as a natural element in their work involves considerable change to most teachers. Second, the use of CT in schools, by teachers, must be more innovative and creative than currently. Third, institutions training teachers will benefit from an arena where educational aspects of CT is explored and discussed before they enter their profession.
In this paper, an Informatics perspective is put forward. The practical departure to the three specific issues are through future workshops (FW). This is a technique for approaching a problematic situation, generating visions about the future, and discussing how the visions can be implemented. FW is a means to utilize the power and competence that appear when people experience that they have common interests, needs and problems. Groups of teachers, or education students, are here guided by a facilitator who ensures active and equal participation, and makes the participants aware of current CT trends and development. Users possess the practical understanding necessary as the basis for the design, but to support their