By 2015 virtual reality will indeed be real. It is critical that we explore the capability of the young to learn in their own environment. And if technology can facilitate this process, then a student will become better educated. Independent learning that provides some supervision, but mostly consists of independent work such as distance learning. Student assistance technology, such as simulators, that allows students to practice their skills.
Good teaching requires the use of both technology and hands-on experiences.
Education will not souly go in one direction or the other, but will blend the two into a different form of education. One insight made was that perhaps the internet is simply a replacement for a book, and as such, it is a resource, not an instructor. For instance, we may have students retrieve information for course work from the internet, thus allowing us to focus in class on more intermediate or advanced course work, rather than information gethering. The internet simply speeds up access to information. This availability may create a demand for greater knowledge and attract students who may want to learn from a particular researcher or who want to attend a UT-Houston school because they agree with that school's focus.