Here’s how we can reinvent the classroom for the digital age

[Commentary] The digital tutor of the future will do knowledge transfer better than a human can. If the student likes reading and lectures, it will teach in a traditional way -- through eBooks and videos. If not, it will teach through games, puzzles, and holographic simulations. What better way to learn history, culture, and geography than by being there virtually and experiencing it? In the future I am talking about, the role of the human teacher is that of guru: to teach values such as integrity, teamwork, respect, caring and commitment; to be a guide and mentor. And students take ownership of their education. This future isn’t as far away as you think. I’ve already seen early signs of it in Silicon Valley. The digital tutor I described is probably five or 10 years away, but it is coming. In the meantime, there is nothing to stop us from adapting education to the modern era of creativity and innovation -- and taking advantages of technologies that are already here.

[Vivek Wadhwa is a fellow at Rock Center for Corporate governance at Stanford University]