Six Teaching Ideas for Integrating the Tomorrow Project into Curriculum

July 2018 Update: Please note that Intel’s Tomorrow Project is no longer available online.

How can teachers use Intel’s The Tomorrow Project to motivate students? Have your students either watch a video or read a science fiction short story from The Tomorrow Project. Afterwards, lead a classroom discussion to spark students’ interest and imaginations, and then assign a task based on the ideas produced.

Emerging Technology — Encourage your students to consider how emerging technologies will improve life in the future.

The assignment can take the form of a written reflection, short story, blog or diary entry, debate, report, script, screenplay, advertisement, movie, or presentation. If you want to have students learn more about emerging technologies they can follow the hyperlinks at the end of each story, watch videos on the Intel YouTube Channel or visit the MIT Technology Review website. Below are some teaching ideas you can use to frame the discussion or focus an assignment:

Provide Scenarios: Provide students with situations to inspire them to reflect on the future and consider how technology can improve our lives.
- You have traveled 20 years into the future in a time machine. Describe a new technology you encounter. How have people benefited from this invention?
- Select a gadget you use every day, such as a cell phone, music player, video game device, computer, or television. What do you wish that it could do? Imagine how your life will change when the technology is invented that will make your dream a reality.
- Transportation in the future will likely be highly computerized. Describe how you will get around in the future based on emerging technologies.
- You are a futuristic teenager. What items do you have in your room based on emerging technologies? How do they shape how you communicate, have fun, complete school work, or do other activities?

Assume a Role: Have students select a role, design a technological device based on emerging technologies, and then explain how it will improve life in the future.
- You are a scientist. What new product have you invented? How will it help people?
- You are a doctor. What new futuristic technology have you tested? How will it help sick people?
- You are a businessman. What technology have you introduced in the workplace? How will it improve productivity?
- You are an environmentalist. What new technology have you implemented? How will it help the planet?
- You are an athlete. What new advancement helps your training? How will it transform the sport?
- You are a teenager. What new gadget do you use daily? How will it change your life?

Highlight Security and Privacy Issues: Have students consider the importance of security in technology and what can happen if data is not safe.
- In the highly computerized world of the future, it will be more important than ever that networks, financial transactions, and information are secure. What kind of devices would ensure security? What would they look like? How would they work?
- Air traffic control must be secure and safe. What could happen if aviation security was breached due to human error, software glitches, or intentional sabotage? What safeguards could prevent any malfunctions?
- The health care sector will rely heavily on digitized information in the future. Medical equipment and information must be protected from accidental or deliberate damage. What could happen if computers malfunction? What medical devices that human life depends on could be compromised? How can hospitals safeguard against disruption to their technology systems?

Create the School of the Future: Ask students to envision the school building, curriculum, and learning processes of the future.
- What do you think schools will look like 20 years from now?
- What subjects will still exist? What subjects will have been eliminated?
- What skills will be most important to prepare students for the workplace?
- How will instruction occur? Will there still be teachers?
- What technology devices will be used to promote learning?
- What kind of assignment will students complete? How will work be assessed?
- How will people communicate and share ideas?

Design an Advertising Campaign: Have students promote a new product based on an emerging technology.
- What is the product?
- Who is the target audience for the advertising campaign?
- What benefits does the product provide?
- What catchphrase or slogan will you use to promote the product?
- What selling techniques will you use to attract attention to the advertisement?
- What form of media, such as print, radio, television, or Internet, will you use to launch your advertising campaign?

Promote Responsible and Ethical Use: Have students consider how the intentional misuse of technology is a problem which may grow as our dependence on computers increases.

What qualities make a good digital citizen?
What consequences should occur if a person uses technology to cause harm, invade privacy, or disrespect the rights of others?
Do you think limits should be placed upon the people inventing new technologies?
What concerns do you have about emerging technologies and the future?

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