The future of education is about creating motivated critical thinkers who are ready to take leadership roles in occupations and industries that have yet to be envisioned. Student will be expected to adapt to new technologies, instead of mastering obsolete devices. To facilitate these skills, instructors need to cultivate critical thinking and creative minds. Schools will be fundamental in developing students with the appropriate tools for a 21st century workplace.
With the growing use of cloud based technologies, schools will be better able to facilitate collaborative projects and cultivate these skills in their students. Students will understand the importance of collaborating with colleagues not only in their classroom, but around the world to be understand and create solutions for the problems they face. Students will develop the ability to interact with a network of professionals and peers in any setting, a skill that will be crucial for their success outside of school.
The classroom will function as a stepping stone to various learning environments, and provide the student unlimited modes of learning. As technology becomes more mobile, students will be expected to learn in any setting, using a multitude of mediums. It will be the schools responsibility to prepare students for these expectations. Schools will do this by familiarizing students with adaptable skills necessary to be successful.
With the ever increasing creation of data, students will need to understand the importance of evaluating the validity of resources and be able to filter the ever increasing stream of information they face. Schools will be responsible for creating atmospheres that allow students to develop these skills through trial and error. As the students learn from their mistakes, they will develop the necessary filtering skills. By mastering the collaborative and individual resources available, students will be continue to effectively manage their learning process outside of the classroom.
As technology becomes ubiquitous, the space in which learning takes place will be required to change. Schools must provide environments for students to interact with the content on multiple levels. Students will be allowed to explore topics through gamification, augmented reality and individual devices that tailor the learning experience. The experience will be unique to the student, as material is delivered in more challenging and realistic mediums. Students will learn to operate and manage their learning, while developing the skills necessary to evolve with the technology they utilize.
Kyle T. Shack 