Future of Education

Need for a Paradigm Shift

Garry Jacobs

Educational Time Warp Education passes on to the next generation the cumulative

knowledge of society acquired in the past in a concentrated and abridged form.

Technology, globalization and social evolution are advancing so rapidly that the past is a poor marker for future needs.

Employment in future will differ so widely from what pertains today that most of the information and skills imparted will have little relevance.

Social adjustment and citizenship in future will also demand a different set of skills, attitudes and values.

Regardless of how the future unfolds, people will Self-reliant individual initiative, collaborative work, self-employment, entrepreneurship, leadership and life-long learning in all fields

Critical Questions

Pedagogy – How should we educate youth to prepare for the challenges, opportunities & uncertainty of a rapidly evolving social context?

Content – What should we educate for that will be valuable regardless of the nature and magnitude of the changes that take place?

Paradigm Shift in Pedagogy

A change in teaching methods to support shift

From competitive to collaborative learning

From passive to active learning

From transfer of mental knowledge to development of the whole person

From information to values

From standardized competencies to customized, creative individuality

Paradigm Shift in Content

Abstract knowledgeReductionist thinkingFragmented &

compartmentalizedMechanisticObjective factsDualities & contradictionsUnderstanding & critical

analysis

Contextual knowledge Integrated thinking Interdisciplinary & trans-

disciplinary thinkingOrganic thinking Include subjective realityComplementarity Independent thinking,

creativity & imagination

Education for Accomplishment

Accomplishment is a process applicable to all fields of human activity.

Education should develop the capacity of students for accomplishment in all fields.

Its essential determinates are awareness, aspiration, energy, goals, organization, skills, attitudes, leadership and knowledge of life.

Values are the quintessence of humanity’s knowledge regarding sustained accomplishment.