The education system is in a state of change. As modern-day society develops, the educational facilities in place plan to evolve as well; hopefully further away from standardized testing measures and closer towards a more personalised style of learning where students can act and practice the skills they are best at. On top of a greater foundation of basic knowledge, this will allow the new wave of students to find the perfect role in society to suit them while benefitting everyone and everything in the world around them.
With these changes to the current style of learning, different skills are being taught in the classrooms and promoted for their value to other people and workplaces.
Laura Simons, an educator at Academized explains, “With an advanced knowledge and grasp of these skills, your students will be able to address and tackle new challenges that our future society will face, enabling them to develop new opportunities that will proactively change the world we live in.”
There are multiple skills that can be taught by these teachers of the future. These are key vocational skills such as collaboration and evaluation skills that are not so much academic subjects but more mental attributes that need to be mastered. For example, collaboration needs to be taught to students so they can master the skill of working with others effectively. As the internet and global communication platforms evolve to become more and more efficient and productive, these students in their workplaces will find themselves have to engage in creative thinking processes and problem-solving exercises with groups and individuals around the world where this skill will be the key to success.
Likewise, new researches, studies and scientific information are being released at an astounding rate. This has been the way ever since the start of the technological era that we’re currently living in.
David Cols, a teacher and editor at State of writing continues, “Humanity has progressed more over the last 50 years than we have in the last 2,000 years combined. In such an increasingly advancing society, students will be presented with new data all the time, and the skill of evaluation will never have been more important.” When facing similar problems, such as the ones faced in the last paragraphs, students will have to know how to locate and source accurate data that they can break down and analysis, allowing them to solve these problems effectively.
These skill sets continue with other important traits that it will be vital for future students to know. These traits include tolerance, crucial for the global collaboration to take place successfully. In this ever-expanding world, new ideas, opinions and cultures will form which may not necessarily agree with certain individuals but will have to be accepted if progress is to be made.
Regarding future teachers, it’s important that we draw focus to the actual process of our students’ learning. This includes how students learn and absorb information. Children from birth all the way through their educational lives have brains that are capable of absorbing large amounts of information and data. All children have the ability to learn and to be successful. Through exercise, healthy diet and by giving their brains the fuel they need to learn and develop effectively, they can maximise their opportunities to do the best they can.
As mentioned briefly in the introduction, future teachers may be expected to move away from traditional testing practices. These tests were initially implemented to access student’s understanding of topics and subjects that were taught in classes. However, these tests can be extremely limiting when it comes to a student’s actual mental capabilities, some of which cannot be analysed by pen and paper or keyboard and mouse. Skills such as communication and teamwork cannot be effectively tested for capability but are still vital skills that must be taught and encouraged as future technologies, and social progress will rely on them.
This may seem like teachers of the future will have their work cut out and maybe even increased workloads, however, the fact of the matter is it will be the complete opposite. Teachers themselves may be redefined as mentors or guidance professionals like the tutors at Australian help. The process of teaching should fall into the hands of the students themselves.
By initiating learning independence at a time when students are capable, they will be able to take control of their learning, again teaching them the vital skills needed for problem solving and progression. When looking towards the future of education, a lot is expected to change in a very short amount of time. As governments and standards begin to change, classrooms will begin to change accordingly, giving students a new form of learning that has never been seen before in the history of humanity. The demands of the future must be met, and only the students who will and are currently in the academic future have the power to continue progress at the rate in which it is.
As teachers, we need to positively encourage our students to do the best they can while allowing them to experiment with challenges confidently in a way that could change the world.
Bio:
Brenda Berg is a professional with over 15 years of experience. She is a self-motivated, result- driven individual who is encouraged to travel around the world and share gained experience. She is a contributor for eLearning industry, UK Dissertation and Gazette of teachers. She is always interested in ways which can help individuals reach their full creative potential. You can visit her personal blog at Letsgoandlearn.com.
