Three years of writing about education’s future

FTTE logoIt’s hard to believe that, as of this month’s report, FTTE has run for three years.

Three years ago I shared the first issue of Future Trends in Technology and Education.  Back then it was just called Future Trends, and was published as a membership benefit for the National Institute for Technology in Liberal Education (NITLE).  Its mission was the same as now: to scan the horizon for significant trends that could shape the future of education.

Over the months then years that followed categories and rubrics appeared: higher education in context, the higher ed bubble.  Each additional month added to the pile of references and pointers, growing a longitudinal way of analyzing new events.

Now we can look back and see which forces loomed largest over time.

FTTE word cloud 2012-2015

I’ll say more about those trends in forthcoming posts, talks, and… other venues.

Initially there were several dozen subscribers, then over a hundred, then several hundred.  When I transitioned away from NITLE and set up FTTE as my own project, open to anyone, subscriptions trickled in, then poured.  People from around the world and all parts of education signed up.  As of this morning 1261 readers receive FTTE.

When I say “reader”, that’s partly a misnomer, since so many FTTE subscribers contribute content.  Nearly every day someone contacts me with a story of idea via email, Twitter, Facebook, Google+, LinkedIn, or even in person.  Subscribers steadily fact- and reality-check my reports.  FTTE owes a great deal to these people, and I’m deeply thankful.

This report has also fed into my other work.  I blog about future trends here, of course.  I also use FTTE details in my talks, presentations, and consulting.  It’s enormously useful as a research tool.

So what next?

FTTE keeps going.  I’m working on learning how to create infographics for key themes.  I’m still mulling over a podcast or video complement.  And hope still more people sign up.

Thank you for a fine three years, friends.  Thanks to NITLE for the start, to George Lorenzo and others for generous assistance, and to my wife for all kinds of help. Here’s to many more years of the future, in the future.

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3 Responses to Three years of writing about education’s future

  1. Prof. Zahid H Khan says:

    Dear Bryan,

    My hearty congratulations to you for completing three years of FTTE. Your services for the cause of promoting technology in admirable and I am continuously benefitting from your writings.

    With best wishes and regards,

    Zahid H. Khan

    TTYSent from my iPad

    >

  2. Reblogged this on Lifting the Learning and commented:
    Bryan Alexander will share his insights on the future of education at the 7th Annual Teaching & Learning Colloquium & Educational Technologies Expo, Friday, April 17, 2015 | 8:30am to 3:00pm. Stony Brook looks forward to welcoming Bryan to campus and invites others to attend what is sure to be an inspirational and stimulating day of sharing and conversation. See http://facultycenter.stonybrook.edu/2015_Colloquium for registration information.

  3. Congrats! Looking forward to having you join us for a stimulating day of presentation and inspiration at Stony Brook University on Friday, April 17.

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