In a posthuman age, where technology and automation are becoming increasingly prevalent, the need for human connection and guidance is more important than ever. Traditional industries are being disrupted. This is where good mentors come in – they can provide personalized guidance and support to learners that technology cannot replicate. With the rapid pace of technological change, learners are looking for mentors who can help them navigate complex and ever-changing fields, offer practical advice and support, and provide personalized feedback on their work. Good mentors can help learners develop the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in their chosen field, and can provide valuable insights and perspectives that technology cannot offer. In addition, successful institutions will need more practitioners than career researchers/teachers. This is because learners need practical, timely, hands-on experience to develop the skills they need to succeed in the workforce. Practitioners, who have current real-world experience and expertise, can offer learners valuable practical advice on how to apply their skills in a professional setting. This is particularly important in creative industries like animation and design where practical experience is essential for success. The demand for good mentors is likely to increase in a posthuman age. Learners seek personalized guidance and support with self directed learning and navigating the complex and shifting fields. Institutions will need to prioritize practitioners that can help to bridge the gap between academia and industry, to ensure that learners have access to the practical expertise they need to succeed in a complex world.
Professor Tony Tarantini currently teaches Layout & Production Design courses at Sheridan College and is the animation Industry Day Coordinator. He is a veteran of the animation industry with more than 20 years of creative and management experience on award-winning animation productions that have had international recognition . He is an active documentarian of the Toronto Animation Community and interested in Action Research approaches and methodologies. His current inquiry centers on the relationships between animation theory, practice, pedagogy, and the effects of emergent technology.