In his speech entitled Information Technology, Equity and Humanity, John Taylor -- Headmaster of King's College, Auckland, and NZEST Board member -- proposed that Information Technology has the capacity to deliver quality education programmes in all New Zealand schools, especially in subjects lacking economic viability such as Classical Studies, Languages, and the History of Art, or those attracting a wide range of teaching ability, such as Maths, Science and Technology.
At the opening of the Auckland University of Technology in March, 2000, John Taylor seized the opportunity to promote the study of Humanities.
He also foresees a time when Information Technology will be used as a valuable and cost-effective tool to deliver tertiary education on a world-wide basis, through a hypothetical institution like the On-line University of the World.

'What is missing from such an utopian egalitarian scenario?' was the question posed by John Taylor in his speech.

"In a word, humanity. Whether or not Information technology is the catalyst or the vehicle, may I respectfully suggest that there is a huge window of opportunity for tertiary institutions to return to the roots of Western learning, especially that which has emanated from the Socratic dialogue of 4th-century Athens, or the tutorial system of 17th-century Oxford.


"From all reports, the Humanities are suffering at secondary and tertiary level, despite the attempts of secondary schools to keep their subject range broad. Secondary schools themselves are in danger of becoming qualification factories, as students choose those subjects which are the safest providers of marks.

"Given the increasing impersonalisation and vocationalisation of learning, forward-thnking, resonsible institutions, if not the Government, will introduce Liberal Studies programmes as a compulsory beginning to their degree courses. No matter what it is called, this course would include specific topics from the Humanities, Science and Technology, Ethics and Politics.

"Using all the benefits of Information Technology, learning in the future must endorse the fundamental roots of educational engagement to exercise and develop the mind."