Looking into the future for outcome-based learning?

Let us give a small taste of what you might expect from the new ICOPER report.

The context

To come up with context scenarios the project has come up with a matrix (see figure below).

This matrix allows us to describe outcome-based learning as a re-skilling enterprise; as professional development; as an activity of developing corporate competences; or as a more domain specific activity led by the institution addressing individual needs, e.g., developing a new master’s within a university. The report elaborate on these scenarios and provide examples.

Weak signals

Weak signals are emergent changes that might, in the end, surprise us and help or hinder our future journey. These signals might manifest themselves on a political, economical, social, technological, legal or environmental level; and here just your fantasy sets the limit. In the report, the one of the more striking proposal was that “guild societies are returning, professional associations are increasing in power, and the universities are loosing their accreditation monopoly”.

The weak signals part of the report would serve as a “sobering exercise” when we get too excited about the future of outcome-based learning, and as a background for constructing desired future state scenarios.

Future state scenarios

The desired future scenarios are developed by both ICOPER partners and external groups, and some of the titles might stir up some interest. Judging from the names of the scenario persons described, we will face a very feminine future. Computers will support cooperative work and course design & delivery, but also “lean production” in SMS clusters, work-focused learning, continuing education and life-long learning within pervasive and personal learning environments.

Download the report and read for yourself!