In today’s talking points: One in two Australians believe children lack skills essential for jobs of the future; China’s online education market shows yearly 20 per cent growth trend; Kids who miss out on “messy play” are falling behind in motor skill development; Artificial Intelligence set to overhaul education system
One in two Australians believe children lack skills essential for jobs of the future
According to a recent report conducted by the Commonwealth Bank of Australia, only half of the 94,706 respondents agreed that kids have the skills they need for jobs of the future. New job titles identified in the report include “emotional intelligence expert” and “bionic interface designer” – roles aiming to improve customer services and human interaction with technology. Some of the most desired skills included technological capability in Fin-tech, Internet of Things (IoT), Analytics, Interface Design and Cyber Security. In addition, unique human qualities such as emotional intelligence, advanced reasoning, and adaptability were seen as an important aspect of navigating the fast-changing workforce of the future.
Read more at: Sydney Morning Herald
China’s online education market shows yearly 20 per cent growth trend
With research showing online education reached revenue last year of 156 billion yuan, it is expected by 2019 the market value of online education in China to reach over 260 billion yuan. The reasons behind this phenomenal growth can be linked towards the progressive nature of China’s middle class in investing in non-traditional means of education for both their children and themselves. Online education makes it easier for working staff to gain vocational training during spare time, while for children, it creates greater opportunity such as access to K-12 education and language training.
Read more at: China Daily
Kids who miss out on “messy play” are falling behind in motor skill development
Australian kindergarten teachers believe that technology is to blame for decreasing dexterity amongst students who are growing up with touchscreens rather than toys. One primary school teacher noted how students’ fine motor skills are falling behind, saying “sometimes, even if you pass a pencil or a paintbrush to a child, they’re not quite sure how to receive it and how to hold it.” Despite technology contributing to a decline in “messy play,” paediatric occupational therapist Lisa Clark believes the ease of accessibility to information that children now have is “fantastic.” However, Clark reiterated the need for parents to engage with their children in “hands-on activities.”
Read more at: ABC
Artificial Intelligence set to overhaul education system
Leading educators are calling for a schooling curriculum, assessment and teaching overhaul in order to keep up with the increasing prevalence of artificial intelligence (AI). Rose Luckin, of University College London, believes that AI has the potential to relieve teachers of time consuming administrative and assessment tasks, and beget an overhaul of “outdated assessment systems,” that examine “routine cognitive subject knowledge.” Marc Tucker from the United States’ National Centre on Education and the Economy warned that it will become increasingly important for students to develop “strong cognitive skills, much deeper knowledge and much more sophisticated skills, if they are going to be partners to increasingly intelligent agents and not put out of work by them.”
Read more at: ABC