Towards sustainable learning

Abstract

Significant changes are transforming the mass production system that has dominated many economies for most of the 20th century. These changes lead in the direction of what may be called a 'sustainable production system'. Some of the principal outcomes of the new production system lead to outputs of goods and services that are potentially available at 'anywhere, 'anytime, 'any kind', with 'no matter' and at 'no charge'. As the mass production system is transformed we shall also see corresponding changes in the traditional learning institutions and practices. This paper examines learning possibilities and processes in the context of the evolution towards a 'sustainable production system'. It suggests that the transition opens possibilities for more widely accessible, flexible, affordable, effective and sustainable learning systems. The challenges are, first, to be able to visualise the possibilities and, subsequently, to be effective in transforming possibilities into reality.