Futures Pedagogical Resources
The WFSF is aware of the complex, critical, accelerating and inter-dependent nature of rapid change across the planet and recognises the value for all planetary citizens in understanding the forces that shape the future, as well as our individual and communal roles in shaping our possible futures.
In this light the WFSF Online Centre for Pedagogical Resources in Futures Studies takes a broad view of futures pedagogy. It intends to integrate a wide range of pedagogical resources for teaching and learning about futures studies. The resources being created within this project can be utilised in manifold ways by diverse communities of practice depending on their particular needs.
What is Futures Pedagogy?
From this broad perspective futures pedagogy can include several meanings.
- The teaching and learning of futures studies concepts and methods at university level for the purpose of furthering the academic research within the futures field;
- The teaching and learning of futures studies concepts and methods at university level for the purpose of professional development of foresight practitioners;
- The teaching and learning of futures studies concepts and methods at university level for the purpose of introducing futures perspectives into all courses of study;
- The teaching and learning of futures studies concepts and methods at university level for the purpose of teacher education to assist educators to introduce futures thinking into school education;
- The teaching and learning of futures studies concepts and methods within school education in ways appropriate to children’s development;
- The broader notion of futures of education, including futures of universities and futures of schooling;
- The broader notion of cultural pedagogical practice (Giroux), which includes the influence on the enculturation of young people through the wider cultural milieu, including the mass media;
- The broader notion of professional lifelong learning whereby futures researchers, teachers and practitioners can self-direct their ongoing professional development through open access teaching commons;
- The broader notion of open access teaching commons whereby all planetary citizens can potentially access resources to assist them in understanding the forces that shape our possible futures;
- The broader notion of democratisation of knowledge in which potentially all planetary citizens can understand and have a role in shaping planetary futures through open access teaching commons
Initial Categories for Futures Pedagogy Resources and Exemplars
The following catagories are under development and represent a kind of proto-taxonomy based on the first influx of futures pedagogical material that has come to us from our own WFSF members. As more material is contributed to the database, we will be able increase the categories and refine the taxonomy. The highlighted items listed under the following categories can be downloaded directly but will eventually be entered into the MERLOT database. Over time as the OCPR grows, and many more materials are actually entered into the MERLOT database these categories will become potential search categories along with additional keywords.
Listed underneath in "Additional Proposed Categories still awaiting Exemplars", are additional suggested categories for which we do not yet have submitted material. If you have futures pedagogical material that could be classified under any of these categories please refer to "Community of Practice" for information on how to contribute resources to this project via the database.
If you wish to suggest other categories, please contact the Project Coordinator and your suggestions will be considered to create new categories.
Agriculture and Food
Children and Youth
Economics, wealth distribution, business
Hughe's International Futures syllabus
University of Houston-Clear Lake's Strategic Planning syllabus
Varnagy's Syllabus II (Hungarian)
Education, Teaching and Learning
Milojevic's 2005 Syllabus1 ( subcategories: "educational futures" and "future of education")
Milojevic's 2005 Syllabus2 (subcategories: "future of education")
Gidley's Educational Futures publications ("future of education")
University of Houston-Clear Lake's Intro to Future Studies syllabus
Energy
Environment and Natural Resources
Future Studies (General Discipline, incl. History, Classics of Futures Thinking)
University of Houston-Clear Lake's Intro to Future Studies syllabus
University of Houston-Clear Lake's Futures Research Framework syllabus
Varnagy's Syllabus (Hungarian)
Global Issues and Globalization
Hughe's International Futures syllabus
Health (Including Mental Health) and Medicine
Integrative (Integral/Holistic) Theories and Paradigms
Local (National, Regional, Ethnic) Futures
Methodologies
Cole's Global Issues and Futures Studies Paper ("issues" and "tools")
Gidley's Educational Futures publications ("tools" and "issues")
Hayward's Strategic Foresight Monograph
Hughe's Art of Forecasting syllabus
Hughe's International Futures syllabus
Miller's 2005 Reform vs. Strategy ("tools")
University of Houston-Clear Lake's Learning Outcome Definitions
University of Houston-Clear Lake's Futures Research Syllabus ("tools", "research")
University of Houston-Clear Lake's Futures Research Framework syllabus("tools", "research")
University of Houston-Clear Lake's Strategic Planning syllabus
Varnagy's Syllabus (Hungarian)
Varnagy's Syllabus II (Hungarian)
Morals (Ethics), Values, and Culture
Personal Futures (Enhancement of Futures Related Personal Capacities)
Lombardo's Marriage, Evolution, and the Future Article
Psychology and Consciousness
Religion and Spirituality
Social Issues (including relationships, marriage, family)
Work
Additional Proposed Categories still awaiting Exemplars
Aesthetics, Art, Media, Music, Entertainment
Cities and Urbanization
Communication
Gender
Leadership, politics and governance
Peace and Conflict (including crime and war)
Philosophy
Rural
Science and Technology
Science Fiction
Transportation
Broader Research Related to Futures Pedagogical Practice
As we collaboratively develop this Online Centre, we will also be gathering additional (not necessarily pedagogical) research related to the above categories.
This broader research will be accessible under Leading Edge Research.
Futures Education Wiki
We would like to create a Futures Education Wiki but this requires the work of a Community of Practice. Please request to join from the site and help us to create this planetary collaborative project.
