Already a member?
Sign in
Welcome! Wikis are websites that everyone can build together. It's easy!
Location: Home
Threads
???keywordTags???
???noTags???
Posting...
Note: You can enter up to [REMCHARS] additional characters.
Did you know you can edit the content of this page by clicking EasyEdit?
Did you know you can edit the content of this page by clicking EasyEdit?
| Started By | Thread Subject | Replies | Last Post | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JohnMSmart | Futures Texts (JS for Simeon Spearman) | 6 | Feb 16 2008, 3:08 AM EST by MarcusAnthony | |||
 |
Thread started: Feb 7 2008, 6:03 PM EST
Watch
I may be getting ahead of myself, but I thought I would mention an idea that's been floating around in my head: perhaps we should look into the possibility of creating a futures studies textbook (or curriculum) that could be put under a Creative Commons license so that they could be disseminated, reused, and translated without concern over copyright issues. One candidate project to either become engaged with, or model such a project after, would be the Global Text Project (http://www.globaltext.org). They seem to be focused on business text books and creating some texts on scenario planning, strategic planning, or visionary leadership could help the futures community assist in the Global Text Project and also increase our visibility in developing countries (and get them exposed to futures concepts more quickly).
Another possibility is http://cxn.org, where educators can create education "modules" that can be pieced together to create an entire course. This could be a more granular way of getting futures thinking in front of educators by creating a "Futures of [insert academic subject here]" that could be promoted as a good final module for courses. It would also allow futurists to create "modules" that could later be pieced together for an entire course, instead of trying to create an entire course wholesale. Basically I think that putting more futures content under Creative Commons licenses could make it easier for futures thinking to creep its way into education organically as the futures community organizes to play a greater role in academia/primary education. Thoughts? Simeon Spearman
Show Last Reply
|
|||||
| andersj | Just identifying myself | 2 | Feb 3 2008, 5:39 PM EST by JohnMSmart | |||
|
Thread started: Sep 24 2007, 6:33 PM EDT
Watch
Sorry, I forgot to introduce myself. The last comment - A great idea - was posted by me, Janna Anderson. I'm an assistant professor at Elon University in North Carolina, US, and I also do research on the future of the internet for the Pew Internet Project under a special contract.
Show Last Reply
|
||||||
| lablogga | Program partnering with UC Berkeley? | 2 | Jan 11 2008, 7:50 PM EST by JohnMSmart | |||
 |
Thread started: Oct 23 2007, 10:31 AM EDT
Watch
Dean Tom Campbell of Berkeley's Haas business school may be open to hearing about the program and a potential partnering. I will be looking into this in Jan.; creating a concise pitch for a meeting and obtaining a meeting. Please contact me or post a note here if you would like to participate in creating the proposal.
Show Last Reply
|
|||||
| jaygary | Theory base of futures studies | 0 | Oct 2 2007, 4:14 PM EDT by jaygary | |||
 |
Thread started: Oct 2 2007, 4:14 PM EDT
Watch
John, Gary G, and friends. I have a paper under revision on the unique role of middle range analysis to develop theory in strategic foresight-- ie. how leaders, organizations and collectivities engage the future. I presented on this at WFS 2007, arguing that a research PhD in futures should focus on theory building and theory testing; beyond just applied research. This takes some rigor in quantitative (multivariate data analysis) and at times, some robust capacity in qualitative, depending on the stage of the theory. We need better theory in futures, interlocking with theory from various disciplines. We have philosophy, framework and methods but are missing the 2nd rung up on the ladder--theory. So in our discussions, let's talk about what kind of PhD --Jay Gary, http://www.regent.edu/global
|
|||||
| lablogga | Feedback | 0 | Sep 26 2007, 9:15 AM EDT by lablogga | |||
|
|
Thread started: Sep 26 2007, 9:15 AM EDT
Watch
I would love to see a potential PhD program partnered with or affiliated with a US University if possible, for example UC Berkeley.
Leeds Met's Second Life sim: http://slurl.com/secondlife/LeedsMet%20FAS/147/155/30/ could be used to facilitate the distance learning. I am definitely interested in being a potential enrollee. |
|||||
| garrygolden | Second Look | 0 | Sep 25 2007, 10:04 PM EDT by garrygolden | |||
 |
Thread started: Sep 25 2007, 10:04 PM EDT
Watch
Garry here... just wanted to connect and say that I am on round two of looking through the list of options / proposal outline. I know John well enough - that considerable thought was put into the conclusions/strategies. We are on the path and have excellent questions that can be tested out through conversations. I would just add support to how important it will be to balance all the elements - people (faculty/students/adjuncts/alumni), cost, scheduling for professionals, and quality of academic offerings. I am looking forward to seeing this conversation evolve...
|
|||||
| andersj | A great idea that will work | 0 | Sep 24 2007, 6:30 PM EDT by andersj | |||
|
Thread started: Sep 24 2007, 6:30 PM EDT
Watch
This concept is an excellent one. It is important to make it as inviting as possible initially in regard to required residency and relevant rigor in order to build up momentum the first few years. It takes a while for something like this to take root and grow, and it has to be carefully nurtured. The time commitments and price are the first two things people will address when making a decision.
I completed my master's degree through an online program in which I only spent time on campus to defend my thesis. The program was demanding; I learned a great deal; it advanced me, providing a launching pad for a new career. It was something I could never have done if I hadn't had the flexibility offered by online components. If the Leeds program is developed and launched, it will make a significant difference in the world. We need more professionals with a depth of knowledge in futures studies; we can't get enough of them! |
||||||
| NRKellogg | A Reflective Moment | 0 | Sep 24 2007, 2:00 PM EDT by NRKellogg | |||
|
Thread started: Sep 24 2007, 2:00 PM EDT
Watch
Hello, This is Nelson R. (Buzz) Kellogg, and I was also invited by John to join in. I think the proposal is fine. However, I am a bit inspired by, both Jen Watkins comment, as well as by Peter Bishop's admonition to contribute to the cohesion and growth of future studies. My comment may seem a rather strong tonic, but here goes anyway.
Virtually every field of endeavor has cadres who purport to study the future, and write those prognostications for their patrons. To avoid the entire concept of future-studies becoming just a guild, who rents out its capacity for tasked research-and-report (with error-bars), one might ask what it is that both generalists and interdsiciplinarians can offer, that is different from a contract forecast which an agency might purchase from RAND or SRI. I do not have a magical answer, although what I would suggest does perhaps share some qualities with the proverbial "philosopher's stone." As a trained historian, who thinks much about the future, it seems that one quality that is not currently being offered is actually a thing of the past. The style in science writing, when it was known as "natural philosophy," and which was epitomized in the work of Charles Darwin, is PERSUASIVE, LYRICAL exposition, which flowed directly from the naturalists' own journals. It seems that any program in futures studies that intends to offer something COMPELLING, that is not available from others who "think and write about the future, as a commodity," needs to include an up-to-date and appropriate version, of a grand tradition, sorely missed.\ Thanks, Buzz |
||||||
| bobareann | Overview suggestions | 0 | Sep 24 2007, 12:20 PM EDT by bobareann | |||
|
Thread started: Sep 24 2007, 12:20 PM EDT
Watch
Hi guys. This is Jen Watkins. I was invited by John Smart to join this wiki.
This project sounds very exciting. The enumeration of things that students would get from the program in the overview section are all worthy, but I suggest also focusing on the need for futurism in the world. Futurism is a boon to businesses, policy, and global-sized problems. It can no longer be relegated to merely support of other disciplines but encompasses a toolset and philosophy that is worthy of academic pursuit in and of itself. The eLearning aspect is a perfect complement to the program. Many schools are jumping of the eLearning boat because it is a good way to up enrollment and for a program like this that may initially have low interest within a single geographic location it is great for linking practitioners around the world. In addition, eLearning is certainly a good way to practice what you preach in terms of fully utilizing the available technology. I am in a "low-residency" course right now and find the practice what you preach aspect one of the most appealing. |
||||||
