As one of the essential foundations of any society, formal education serves as a vital guide for all human inhabitants of this Earth.  This careful passage of knowledge from one generation to the next helps our species understand all that surrounds us and all of the essentials that let humans coexist in civilized societies across the globe. However, the great respect that has long surrounded institutionalized education is slowly fading, being replaced by the ability to quickly find any information online in the comfort of one’s own home.  Resulting from this societal shift being led by technology, schools and other educational institutions must change their focus from books to online resources and computer technology if they are to remain relevant in our constantly evolving world.

            It is this needed change that must become the focus of future education plans at all levels, from individual curriculums to federal mandates.  No longer can students solely rely on print material and expect to succeed at high levels in society.  Instead, the jobs offered to those in school today will inevitably require many computer skills and the knowledge needed to proficiently navigate the Internet.  In addition, students still in school need to be able to critically evaluate any information they view online.  With the advent of Web 2.0 and the ability for just about anybody to post thoughts online, the question of where to find accurate information is now more important than ever.  Web 2.0 skills, along with skills needed to use innovations raging from interactive whiteboards to virtual education programs need to become central in the next generation’s education.