In Module 5, we consider the future. The future for education and the future for humanity in general. They are tied together and both offer equal amount of hope and despair. Speculation is a powerful methodology for imagining (and creating) the future that we want. It combines creativity with critical theory and interdisciplinary knowledge to create space and possibilities for imaginative policy, practice and innovation. The Digital Centre for Research in Innovation at Edinburgh University is offering a session focused on Exploring Speculative Approaches to Digital Education Futures.

This session is being hosted online on Thursday, December 1st at 8:00 AM Pacific Time. Click here to register for the session. Registration is free.

This event will launch Jen Ross’ new book, ‘Digital Futures for Learning’ (Routledge, 2022), with a discussion about how speculative methods and pedagogies can allow digital education researchers, educators and students to engage creatively with the sociotechnical imaginaries that underpin policy, practice and innovation in our field. Speculative research and teaching approaches work with the future as a space of uncertainty, and use that uncertainty creatively in the present. They can generate playful, imaginative, glitchy and strange encounters that respect complexity while taking seriously a responsibility to act ethically towards the future.

In this seminar, Jen will introduce some of the key themes and messages from the book, and will be joined by Ylva Lindberg (Jönköping University) and George Veletsianos (Royal Roads University), who will share their own perspectives on using speculative methods in their work. Daniel Schwartz will contribute some remarks on behalf of Routledge, and the session will close with a discussion and Q&A, chaired by Siân Bayne.

For this activity, you will attend the session, participate in the conversation (if you would like), and reflect on Speculation as a Design Methodology. In your Learning Portfolio entry, please include the following:

1.) Provide a summary of the information shared in the session.

2.) Reflect on the idea of Speculative Fiction. What does this mean? How is it (or is it not) a useful tool for designing for the future?

3.) Choose one key idea from the session that sparked interest for you. Explain the idea. Why did it peak your interest? How does it change how you think about digital education and/or the future of education?

Post your summary and reflection in your Learning Portfolio. Make sure to also include a short self-reflection on why you chose this activity, how it aligned with your learning goals, and what you learned through your critical review of the experience.