In a globally connected world where technology is becoming more efficient and necessary, the question that comes to mind is: Are we preparing our youth for the future?
Many education specialists are predicting certain trends for the future but how will we get there? The current education model will need to be restructured to understand and attain the skills and characteristics which will be necessary for jobs in the future.
Here are some teaching strategies you can easily implement to prepare your students for what’s to come.
Education for the Future: 7 Teaching Strategies
1. Attitude
An ambitious attitude can significantly increase opportunities for young people. In fact, many job candidates are assessed according to their attitudes which is a priority in business and only then is their training and experience analysed. Motivation to learn, expressing interest and showing commitment are all characteristics that stand out and ensure that the candidate is able to meet their objectives, regardless of the circumstances.
2. Values
A lot of people can get a diploma or a degree (with more or less effort) but one of the most valuable features of a strong job candidate are not taught, they are instrinsic. Personal values can make a difference in a work setting or across an enterprise and are proven to influence the way in which decisions are made. It’s definitely something to consider.
3. Vision
The vast majority of young people do not have a clear vision for their future professional career. In fact, many people find it extremely challenging to choose a career and proceed to enter the job market without a real understanding of what’s to come.
Surely it would be much easier to explore the options in advance? Teaching young people to reflect on their role in society will help them become more independent and confident to find their place in the labour market.
4. Skills
A person’s position in the labor market is not just about their education. Often complementary skills, also known as generic skills, can be even more important than you realise. Examples you may not be aware of include interpersonal communication, negotiation skills, the ability to present ideas clearly, and teamwork skills.
Such skills should be encouraged throughout the academic life of the student so that they have the opportunity to gain a competitive advantage.
5. Experience
This point may generate some discussion among readers but we don’t mean experience in terms of working in a company or becoming part of a business. At this point, it’s important to step back and assess past activities students have been taken part in and ask how the skills gained can be utilised in a work environment in the future. Extracurricular activities, training programs, associations, groups, blogs…these are all ways to acquire knowledge and experience and should be encouraged.
6. Curiosity
Encouraging the pursuit of knowledge and engaging youth in new things on a regular basis will spark their interest in innovative activities. Moreover, the intellectual curiosity of youth leads to a willingness to grow professionally and a better informed society. The more inspired and motivated young people are, the more they will feel a need to explore, create and innovate.
Curiosity can be integrated into the academic routine through unconventional activities and challenges. Want to know more? Check out our post on alternative teaching strategies.
7. Adaptive
Changing the context in which we put young people is important. Therefore, the following 4 points should be considered:
The corporate world operates differently than most schools and universities. Therefore, the training of young people requires a significant change to smooth this adaptation.- Different workplaces have different expectations about communication, performance, success and even the use of technologies.
- Social and cultural diversity should be considered.
- With millions of people entering the labour market each year, there is much competition but also there are many opportunities to explore.
Encouraging and assisting young people to adapt to different environments and continually challenging them, makes them more innovative and creative people. This opens a wide range of possibilities for the future, for example, in the terms of entrepreneurship, innovation and prosperity.
Want to put these ideas into practice? Start exploiting the opportunity and possibilities that new technology has to offer. ExamTime is a free elearning platform designed to help students improve their learning with proven tools and techniques. Create, share and discover Mind Maps, Flashcards, Quizzes and more on ExamTime with your students:
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