Last week I attended the 2019 EduTECH Conference. I was
really lucky to be able to attend to learn from connect and share with so many
amazing educators. I was also lucky and grateful that the conference was held
in Singapore. Food and eating is very important in the Singaporean culture.
There is so much variety and everywhere you look, there are restaurants, cafes,
Hawker stalls or street food. So as you do in Singapore …I ate out a lot!
One thing I noticed about eating out so much is the amount
of single-use plastic Singaporeans use and it made me think about my year 5
classes and the problem I challenged them with. It made me think about how
authentic it would be to challenge them with how Singapore could reduce their
plastic use. At this point, I have to say I’m not having a go at Singapore or
accusing them of overusing plastics. I’m sure it’s something they’ve been
thinking about and working on, long before I started this blog. After all, they
are an island and don’t have near as much space for landfill or issues
associated with disposing of plastics.
However, it got me thinking about global issues of the
future and how kids in my classes today are going to be faced with solving them.
It got me reflecting on whether I am doing all I can to prepare them to face
these big challenges and what could I do better. It got me thinking about what
is required to prepare kids for this. And the results of my musings are:
Mindsets – Nothing good can occur without the right frame
of mind. Emotional intelligence needs to be something all teachers are
developing in students, not just for life beyond school, but for their learning
in school also. Students need to have the attitude to understand the difference
between failure and failing. The ability to value and build on mistakes.
Afterall, some of the greatest inventions the world has seen came from
failures. Teachers need to be careful in modelling these mindsets in class.
Things like praising effort rather than just talent. Highlighting and
celebrating failures. Being vulnerable enough to admit their own failures.
Pointing out that there are more ways than one to get an answer and constantly
encouraging students to aim for progress rather than perfection.
Collaboration – I have been listening to an audio book
by Shane Snow called Dream Teams. He discusses the benefits of working
as a team. Using each member of the team’s unique backgrounds, cultures,
experience or point of view as a way of not just solving problems or creating
solutions but to provide a variety of methods and options. The big issues of
the future such as global warming, lack of water, medical breakthroughs are
going to require teams of people collaborating to create solutions. Teams that
are going to be able to value others’ ideas and contributions as well as their
own and build on these. Individuals who will be able to compromise and
sacrifice their ideas for the benefit of getting the best result. Teams that
accept diversity and are able to collaborate globally. Teachers need to provide
learning experiences where students can connect with a variety of people.
Opportunities for students to collaborate and develop communication and
teamwork.
Provide authentic learning experiences – By providing
authentic learning experiences, students will not just develop a sense of, ‘I
can do this’ but will also understand ‘why’ they are learning this way. These
learning experiences need to provide students with opportunity to collaborate
with others. Perhaps other students or teachers outside of their classroom or
experts in the required area. Opportunities where students get to empathise
with consumers or those affected and get to experience things from a different
point of view. To experience a world outside of their own. Opportunities where
students can develop confidence and understanding of the importance of a growth
mindset. Opportunities where students can be empowered by working on problems, with
people, like in life beyond school.
Even the oldest students I teach are 6-7 years away from
graduating school. What will their world look like in 2026? One thing I do know
is that the world around us will continually change and, as a teacher, I need
to change with it. I need to have the mindset to keep developing my practice. I
have to collaborate with others to do this and I have to bring my authentic
experiences, like observing the world around me (like in Singapore) into my
classes.
Will my students be prepared? I’m counting on it…
