Transition in the making. The images of the future in education and decision-making

The purpose of this article is, first, to discuss how images of the future are created and which elements they are built from. Then three main factors of the images - general knowledge, social knowledge and individual identity - are drawn from all of the elements and analysed in detail. Finally a method for constructing a mind map based on these elements The Future Image Index Map - is described and further tested with empirical material from two groups. The first group consists of 36 Finnish second- and third-level teachers, who wrote personal descriptions, or scenarios, of their ideas about the future of education. The second group is composed of taped thematic interviews made with 24 young Finns. In this article, an image of the future is regarded as a mental tool that deals with possible future states. Furthermore it is seen as being composed of a mixture of concepts, beliefs and desires that affect human choices and guide decision-making and action. Orientation towards the future is seen as the attempt Cowards making these images part of reality and directing action and decision-making accordingly. In the study, there are nine index items. The Future Image Index Map can be used with very different kinds of data. In addition to written and taped material, an analysis can also be based on the tested indicators of every index item. Another route for collecting and analysing data is based on the respondents' own estimates about each of the items. The model is under continuous development and can be tested in the network environment at the Internet address http://metodix.com/futureimages. The model is available in three languages: English, Swedish and Finnish. Into the future marches a new model of who teaches, who learns, how this is accomplished and through what medium, and what organisational structures (Sohail Inayatullah). (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.