Activity: The Changing Roles of Students Robert Kozma and Patricia Schank describe a scenario in which students participate in learning activities that are timely and relevant. The students use a variety of technologies and skills that allow them to work in real-world environments, create their own understanding, and collaborate with other students as well as experts in multiple fields. Their vision extends the use of educational technology beyond that of most schools currently, but they do not propose technology that is not possible within the very near future—with much of it available today. Reading their chapter from the 1998 ASCD Yearbook will introduce you to a variety of technologies and skills that may seem a world away from most current classrooms but are actually possible with current technology. In this scenario, you may better understand how technology is changing the role of students by connecting learning to the home and family connecting learning to the workplace and community managing the complexities of project-based learning supporting scaffolding to promote higher-order skills creating simulations and virtual learning environments and scenarios supporting collaboration promoting equity and greater access How realistic is this scenario? How much of this technology do you already use? Is it available and used in your school? Click the "Discussion" button on the top menu bar to view your response and the responses from other participants to this activity. Meet the Expert Dr. Robert Kozma and Dr. Patricia Schank are affiliated with the Center for Technology in Learning at SRI in Menlo Park, California. They have extensive experience in educational technology research and theory and are prolific authors on topics in these areas.