Just like everything else in our fast-paced modern world, education is evolving. With each new year come new ideas, new technology, and new approaches to improving the educational model and students’ outcomes. As we enter into the new decade, it only makes sense to take a long look at the history of education and imagine what the future will hold for educators, students, and educational facilities. The future of education will undoubtedly be marked by advances and innovation in technology, but we also anticipate new and creative solutions to testing conundrums and standards challenges, as well as new developments in professional education, a focus on the future, and integration of mindfulness and wellness practices in the classroom and as part of the curriculum.
Technological Everything
We’ve already seen some significant advancements in technology in the classroom, but we expect the future to hold a ridiculous number of additional advancements, some of which are things that probably haven’t even been invented yet. Most educators believe that digital textbooks will completely replace print textbooks within the next 6 years, and many schools are already beginning to implement tablet use, interactive software, and even virtual reality in classrooms across the country. We expect to see more online students in the future, along with more tech-friendly ways of teaching, learning, submitting assignments, testing, and so on.
Innovative Curriculum Shifts
Anyone who’s aware of educational policies is aware of the problems within standards requirements and standardized assessments. We all understand the need for these things, but many believe there are new and innovative solutions out there that have not been implemented but should be. Expect the future of education to bring about some of these substantial changes. Standards will change from strictly academic knowledge to a more well-rounded, world-friendly perspective where students need to know the facts but also need to know how to think critically, problem-solve, network, practice literacy skills, and more. Testing methods, requirements, and content will also shift drastically. Many schools are already making the transition to computerized testing, and we expect that to continue until every test in every school is done on a computer or other technological device. Additionally, standards and content will change as school districts begin to recognize the need for a reworked goal of educational competency.
Professional Development Advancements
Due to the increase in technology use in the classroom, professional development will shift in a big way. Teachers will continue to enhance their teaching methods and learn new behavior management techniques, but they will also need hands-on training to properly use technology in their classrooms. When it comes to integration of tech in schools, teachers cannot just know the bare minimum and expect it to be successful. They’ll need to know the ins and outs of new technology, as well as how to make the most of the tech in their teaching.
Forward-Thinking Focus
A large portion of the students of today will have jobs that haven’t even been created yet. They’ll work in companies that are yet to be birthed within industries that don’t currently exist. Because of this, it’s the responsibility of educators everywhere to be as forward-thinking as possible. Especially due to advancements in technology throughout the world, our focus should shift to the future so that we ensure our students are prepared to enter the world as a responsible and educated individual who can keep up with the latest trends in their fields.
Mindfulness Integration
The country as a whole is becoming more and more aware of the importance of mental health, and we all recognize that a number of important self-care related skills are not being taught to our children. While emotional and mental development should be largely handled by parents, schools owe it to their communities to allow mindfulness integration into the classrooms. Teachers can educate students about how to be aware of and attentive to their surroundings, how to manage their stress and feelings, and more. It can help students adapt better to changes, focus more on their tasks, and overcome moments of feeling overwhelmed and anxious. We anticipate seeing mindfulness and wellness becoming a large focus in educational environments as educators, parents, and communities see the benefits of this type of instruction.
At TCI, we are forward-thinking in our curriculum programs and educational models, and we are on top of changes in educational policies so that you are also one step ahead. We look forward to the future of education and will do anything necessary to improve our curriculum with each passing year to ensure we are leading the pack in educational advancements and technological progressions in the classroom.
