Dear Rhea, I agree, but I don't think that the next generation of students will do life-long learning in the same way it has been done in the past. I certainly hope that books will still be a part of that process, but I suspect that, for better or worse, the future of life-long learning will be technology based. As instructional technologies become increasingly complex, I think that learning to understand how the various technologies work will be a prerequisite for effective adult learning. The tools are not very useful unless you understand how to use them most effectively. For example, I am not totally sold on MOOCs, but I wouldn't be surprised if they are a key player in the future of adult education. Cordially, Harry Harry E. Pence SUNY Distinguished Teaching Professor Emeritus SUNY Oneonta ________________________________ From: Teaching Breakfast List [[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Nowak, Rhea Sent: Wednesday, October 31, 2012 8:18 AM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: Liberal Arts and Technology I thought education already was cradle to grave. I understand it that one of our main purposes was to help students learn how to learn and develop/keep/ inspire the curiosity and self motivation to keep learning. Rhea Nowak Assistant Professor of Art SUNY College at Oneonta Oneonta, NY (607) 436-2827 From: <Pence>, Harry <[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>> Reply-To: Teaching Breakfast List <[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>> Date: Wednesday, October 31, 2012 8:05 AM To: "[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>" <[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>> Subject: Liberal Arts and Technology Here's an interesting take on the current state of liberal arts. Can you have a true liberal arts education in a technological society without including information on the basic technical skills that are fundamental to modern society? http://www.techrepublic.com/blog/cio-insights/tech-skills-is-it-getting-harder-to-keep-up/39749543?tag=nl.e099&s_cid=e099 Harry Harry E. Pence SUNY Distinguished Teaching Professor Emeritus SUNY Oneonta ________________________________ From: Teaching Breakfast List [[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>] On Behalf Of Greenberg, Jim Sent: Thursday, October 25, 2012 11:06 AM To: [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]> Subject: Pew Study on Reading Trends and Library Use Interesting study... http://libraries.pewinternet.org/2012/10/23/younger-americans-reading-and-library-habits/