Prepare ye!

Who knows what the future will bring in 50, 10, or even 5 years?  During the first few decades of formalized education systems, "the future" likely seemed more certain; change happened at a slower rate then -- what the "jobs of the future" looked like was more realistically predictable.  If it is our job, as educators today, to best prepare today's students for their uncertain futures, then it's easy to understand why many teachers don't know where or how (or, possibly, why) to begin.  The only thing we can be sure about is what we've always done in the past.

Even though we are not certain about the specifics of the futures of our students, there are some general assertions that, I'd argue, are hard to refute.  Chief among these are, that, as a result of currently available (not to mention future!) technology, social networking as a function / necessity of employment will become more prominent, and the read/write web will change what "work" looks like for an even larger number of people.

As a result, web 2.0 education is increasingly important to the futures of our students.  Despite this, the fact remains that changing curricula and training teachers to deliver such an education would take at least a little time and a lot of money.  Can we afford it?  Can we afford not to?  I've made a chart to help sort it out in my mind.  Here it is!

What is the greatest possible tragedy?  I'd say not teaching Web 2.0 skills in a world where they continue to become more important.  What do you think?...