Here is more information on a) what should school be for, b) how should schools change in our digital age, and c) what does the future of work look like in our ‘Cognitive Computing’ age.
School and Learning are different things.
Will Richardson’s Tedx Talk is a brilliant, short overview: “The Surprising Truth about Learning in Schools”. Watch it and see if you agree. He also has a great e-book out that is compelling, called Why School – How Education Must Change When Learning and Information are Everywhere.
The is also the famous Ken Robinson Ted Talk – and his book, Creative Schools – The Grassroots Revolution that’s Transforming Education, are a great place to start. His talk is humorous and illustrates how many talented, brilliant people don’t do well in school, aren’t encouraged.
Education needs to change – what, how and when.
Educating Modern Learners
This is a favorite site of mine, with articles written by several educator/thought leaders focused on the what schools should teach, not just the how and when (a lot of edtech ignores whether the content/philosophy of schools needs to change). Here is an excerpt from their FAQs:
Because of our sudden access to knowledge, information, people, and tools, schools and systems must move away from “delivering” and organizing an education toward, instead, helping learners organize their own education. We believe there is a real need for a diverse set of expert voices to use a global lens to intelligently curate and contextualize the changes, new technologies, future trends, best practices and more on a regular basis.
The above Tedx by Grant Lichtman is good value:
The rate of change in the world demands that we re-imagine and restructure the foundational learning relationship among students, teachers, and knowledge. In September 2012, pursuing a decades-long passion for transformational education, Grant packed up his Prius and set off on a solo, nationwide research tour to discover what schools are doing to prepare students for an evolving future. Find out what he learned from three months on the road visiting 21 states, 64 schools, and the great ideas of 500 educators. Presented by Grant Lichtman, Author and Educational Consultant.
Knowledge is a Commodity, and kids are digital natives.
The Future of work -what skills do people need?
Education to Employment- McKinsey Report
This report includes analysis of global data on the gap between education and employment – including info on skills that are needed.
Around the world, governments and businesses face a conundrum: high levels of youth unemployment and a shortage of job seekers with critical skills. How can a country successfully move its young people from education to employment? What are the challenges? Which interventions work? How can these be scaled up?
Parents for 21st Century Skills 