We are publishing writings on our website from the Visio 2040 – When Things in Finland Were Done Boldly and Without Prejudice essay collection. The founder of GraphoGame, Mervi Palander, envisions Finland being capable of addressing many future challenges in the field of educational technology.
By 2040, Finland will likely face multiple challenges stemming from climate change, geopolitical shifts, and various societal threats that we cannot yet imagine. If we play our cards right, the future could look significantly better and more equal than it does now. In the following, I will focus on the future from the perspective of education, as other societal issues will certainly be highlighted in other writings.
Teachers’ work changed in 2040. By 2024, AI had already been recognized as a transformative force in education, challenging traditional teaching methods and curriculum design. The need for teachers to navigate this change became more prominent year by year. Some teachers were left behind because they could not find a balance between adopting new methods and preserving essential teaching knowledge. Schools fell into a crisis for years, and it became the new “health and social services”.
So, what happened? The importance of AI and automation in supporting continuous learning gradually grew: AI and automation in modeling the learning process were widely integrated into all learning, personalizing individual learning experiences and simultaneously freeing up teachers’ time for guidance. Well-being data also supports and optimizes the timeliness of learning, and cognitive well-being is monitored using advanced applications and devices.
Achieving growth and well-being for everyone: With the support of technology, high-quality and personalized learning became physically and financially accessible to all people worldwide, promoting economic and sustainable growth and reducing many phenomena that had long been obstacles to equal and sustainable living.
A sustainable future and responsibility integrated into all learning / Sustainable by Design: Best practices for sustainable development and broad environmental awareness have become an integral part of every learning path, helping people adapt to the continuous and unpredictable changes in our environment. By 2040, EdTech solutions were no longer “disruptive products sold by private companies” but seamlessly integrated into the education system.
EdTech solutions became “everyday tools” alongside more traditional teaching methods. Through technology, flexible and personalized learning experiences are offered, enabling new ways of learning and improving the quality of learning through interactive and engaging experiences.
EdTech supports the personalization of learning, enables the use of global resources, and promotes collaboration among learners. Additionally, technology helps teachers monitor and assess learning in real time, allowing for the identification and support of students’ individual learning needs.
Finland will once again be the number one country in education by 2040, boldly embracing and utilizing new technologies. We are also a leader in educational exports, and we are widely recognized around the world.
Mervi Palander, Graphogame
(Picture: Vision 2040 launch event 19.8.2024.)