peer-to-peer listening because, she
says, debate and discussion are central
to co-constructing knowledge. It all
comes back to the kind of collaboration
that will be vital going forward – and
it’s more likely to happen if classroom
tables are arranged in groups, rather
than rows that prohibit conversation.
There’s another reason why
discussion is important, says Des. The
journey of learning is as important as
the outcome. That’s why feedback
and critique should be encouraged.
They’re mechanisms that show your
child there are other ways of doing
things, while simultaneously highlighting
failure as a necessity of the process.
Finally, don’t underestimate the
importance of play. Contrary to long-
held beliefs, play and learning don’t
fit into either/or camps. In fact, says
Des, children learn best if they’re
having fun. “A playful approach
makes them realise the joy of
learning, and gets them excited to
come to school,” she points out.The case for
technology
It goes without saying that technology
will be a part of the new world of
education – but to what extent
should it shape the environment?
Xolisa is excited about the worlds
opened by tech: “It doesn’t matter if
children are accessing information
on a tablet or in a book, they’re still
developing a love of reading,” he notes.
He’s equally enthusiastic about what
tech means for teachers: “With screens
and Skype, I don’t have to be in my
classroom to reach my students.”
But Bailey takes a more cautious
approach, warning that although
technology has undeniable allure, it
should not be seen as the tool that
defines education. Rather, it must be
viewed as one of several options, and
used only when it is the best vehicle for
relaying information. “We can never forget
the fact that sound learning hinges on a
solid relationship with a teacher,” she says.Dean McCoubrey of MySociaLife doesn’t
downplay such concerns, but his view
is that technology evolves so quickly
that there is simply no way traditional
education models are able to keep up.
The best way to help children adapt,
he says, is by layering digital education
so that they first get to grips with a
digital foundation: not only the what
of technology, but the finer nuances,
such as what online bullying looks
like and why empathy is critical in this
kind of environment. With these basics
in place, children can move on to
exploring the possibilities presented
by the Internet, through tools like apps,
AI and robotics – and only once they
have mastered these basics should
they move on to more advanced skills.
Informed use of technology makes all
the difference, agrees Corrin Varady of
IDEA Digital Education – and the key here
is self-direction. Once children understand
how to conduct research online, how to
filter out what they don’t need and apply
what’s relevant, they’re able to take full
advantage of technology’s many benefits.
But, Corrin reiterates, they first need to be
taught that they can’t simply watch a
video on a certain topic and imagine they
now know it all. They need to be taught
how to identify the best channels for their
purpose, and how to leverage them.A rounded approach
In all the talk of academics and skills,
it’s easy to lose sight of the fact that
education impacts people – and
they’re small, vulnerable people, at
that. Ashleigh Sacks, educational
psychologist at Crossroads School,
cites US research reporting that one in
10 children experiences some form of
anxiety. There are many factors shaping
our current “age of anxiety”, but the
outcome is all the same: “Threats or
danger trigger an internal ‘worry alarm’
that is wired into our biological makeup
for survival. This is known as the freeze,
fight or flight mechanism. When a child’s
‘worry alarm’ goes off, the more mature
and emotional part of the brain takesL&L | SEPTEMBER 2019 | 81CAREERS OF
THE FUTURE
Forget law and medicine.
According to Crimson Education,
these are the potential hotshot
careers of the future:
● Commercial space pilot
● Extinct species revivalist
● Organ or body part creator
● Landfill worm operator
● 3D-printed food engineer
● Mind-transfer specialist
● Digital rehabilitation counsellor.over and the newer, more logical part
of the brain is put on hold, making it
hard to think rationally, because the
brain’s main priority becomes survival.”
Simply put, an anxious child isn’t
learning as well as she should be.
With learning impeded in this manner,
Ashleigh believes that schools have a
major responsibility to address anxiety,
since this is where children spend the
larger part of their day. She, therefore,
calls for a more holistic approach to
education; one which acknowledges
the importance of wellness.
This sentiment is echoed by Carol
Surya, co-founder of WISE (Wellbeing in
Schools and Education), who argues
that “A holistic approach is one that
recognises the full potential of the
child − not just their mental capacity
and scholastic achievement, but
also their emotional, social, physical
and even spiritual development. By
focussing on these other important
areas, for example by building emotional
intelligence, mindfulness and fun age-
appropriate physical activities, the
child’s full development is promoted,
and learning (including concentration
and memory) is made easier.” Her
suggestions include adding disciplines
like yoga, biodanza (a system of self-
development that uses music, movement
and positive feelings to deepen self-
awareness) and games that build
self-esteem to the current curriculum. LLfamily life
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