In 5-10 years I fear there may no longer be a classroom. Teachers will be able to teach without actually being present by using technologies such as video chat and blogging.
There are a few universities/classrooms in which students are actually being taught through second life. This allows students/teachers to be whoever they want to be and participate when they may not have otherwise. It also opens up the opportunity for 'field trips' to far away places, for example China when learning about the Chinese new year. It is interesting to think about. It is also a great way to get a more qualified teacher for certain topics. Say you want to learn french, you would be able to take a french class from a teacher who lives in France! You also gain access to people all over the world. Because it is a virtual classroom you will be in a class with students from all over the world from all different age groups and backgrounds. This provides an amazing opportunity for students to learn multiples perspectives
(http://campustechnology.com/articles/2009/02/18/real-life-teaching-in-a-virtual-world.aspx)
While I worry we may be heading down this road, considering I could end up out of a job, I think these professors are on to something. We are presenting students with broader information that we may have otherwise not be able to provide. We are opening a world to them that they may never get to experience. THIS is the kind of learning we need to incorporate into the everyday classroom!
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