(© Photo by Li Zhang on Unsplash)

Trend: Schools in transformation

A trend indicates a direction of change in values and needs which is driven by forces and manifests itself already in various ways within certain groups in society.

Schools are transforming from classes, classrooms and curricula, towards exploring, customization and coaching. To keep up with societal and technological change, schools should already have shifted focus from teaching to learning. This shift will only grow in importance in the future, with a need for new content, different spaces and a variety of ways to learn.

“We can imagine new school environments as a large library where some students study alone, connected to the internet or not, and others present their work to classmates and teachers. Others are outside the library in contact with people and worlds outside the school, possibly in far-flung places. The library supports an immense diversity of situations and space times. It is a new environment quite different from the usual structure of the school and the classroom. This library can be taken both as a metaphor and literally. It reminds us that school times and spaces need to serve as portals connecting learners with the knowledge commons.” Report from the International Commission on the Futures of Education, Unesco.

This Trend is part of the Megatrend Diversification of education and learning

Manifestations

Developments happening in certain groups in society that indicate examples of change related to the trend.

Broader Scope

Schools are no longer only about 'transferring knowledge'. Content is still important, but learning is much more about social, entrepreneurial, and digital skills these days. Schools are trying to bring 'real life' into learning, to enable children to develop personal and cultural competences. Mental health and well-being are high on the agenda, as stress is growing rapidly among young people. A more holistic approach to education is emerging, with social and emotional development of the students taken into consideration. This could lead to better students’ performance, and the forging of stronger bonds and healthier lifestyles. Resilience and tolerant world-views for example are popular topics, to help young people deal with new ideas. Arts and creativity are increasingly recognised as being important for young people to develop innovative ways to solve future challenges.

Signals of change: Agora, Arts-based education, JRC LifeComp

No more classrooms

More and more schools are offering young people a free space to learn what they want to learn, and guide them on this journey. Some schools don’t have a set program, but organise the learning on the basis of young people’s interests and proposals for topics and skills that they want to learn. More and more we are talking about new learning ecosystems that need new spaces, for which new room concepts are needed. Creating this includes creating multi-sensory areas, a hybrid learning spaces, “phygital” spaces where real life technology and digital software come together. But also, libraries, community homes and forests are ideal places to learn, get together and engage with surroundings. The atmosphere and energy in which one learns will have greater influence on the depth and quality of learning. And also the use of sustainable materials adds to the look and feel.

Signals of change: Forbes, Utrecht University, Frontiers, DesignBoom, Pittsburgh

New partners

In the new learning ecosystems, teachers become coaches, parents offer their knowledge, companies offer their services and software support to help make the right connections. On the one hand, this stems from there not being enough teachers to provide quality learning for all pupils, so other professionals and experts step in to provide such support to learners in these different, sometimes ad hoc ways. On the other hand, a single teacher cannot know everything in today’s fast changing and interconnected world, and non-governmental organisations and business can offer timely knowledge on a variety of topics.

The private sector is seen more and more as a partner in education. Companies that stay on top of their game, that keep up with the new trends and developments, are welcomed as partners in schools. Offering students a chance to explore concrete jobs and skills can be a win-win for both sides, and companies can already scout for new possible employees.

Signals of change: Business Review, The Progressive

Interesting questions

What might this trend imply, what should we be aware of, what could we study in more depth? Some ideas:

• What if students are not able to secure desk jobs and cope with the 9-5 grind after a school life of free play-led explorative learning?
• What if everyone had the opportunity to and was able to learn the way that they learn best