MUNCIE, Ind. -- You have heard O.J. Simpson, Ross Perot and Madonna interviewed by Larry King. Add Larry Smith, Ball State University professor of elementary education, to the list of celebrities questioned by the king of interviewers.

King's newest book, "Future Talk; Conversations About Tomorrow" released last week, features eight pages of questions and Smith's answers on teaching in elementary schools. The chairman of the elementary education department is one of only three national experts in a special section on the future of education. The others are Richard Levin, president of Yale University, and John Golle, chairman and CEO of Education Alternative Inc.

Smith said writer Pat Piper, who collaborated with King to produce the book for HarperCollins (stet) Publishers Inc., called about two years ago asking him to participate in the project.

"I really have no idea how they identified me as a futurist," said Smith, "although we are doing some very innovative things at Ball State such as re-examining the entire process by which we credential elementary school teachers."

Last year Smith also received national attention in a front page story in USA Today regarding the use of computer technology in the classroom.

In the book, he is asked, "Some say that public education and its teachers have failed our youth. How would you respond?"

"I don't agree," says Smith. "Elementary schools do a particularly effective job with students. There are those out there who say, Teach the basics no matter what,' but I don't agree with that because I think you first have to get the child's attention, and if the child is hungry or disturbed, the child isn't going to learn."

When asked what worries him most about the next century, Smith responds, "I'm really worried about drug use, particularly by pregnant women, and the effect it's going to have on our children. This is a serious concern for all of us."

"Future Talk" is available in bookstores nationwide.