While American universities have a huge role to play in preparing a population that’s ready to compete in the global marketplace, the seedbed really lies with Pre-K-12 education. According to the 2007 Trends in International Mathematics and Science study (TIMSS) data, the United States is ranked ninth in a field of 48 countries for average grade eight mathematics scores and ranked 11th for average grade eight science scores. Indeed, the overall international comparative rank in both math and science is respectable; however, it is noteworthy that the majority of countries that ranked higher are Asian countries with a combined population that far outnumbers our own. If seeds are to be sown, then the seat of the action needs to be with teacher education. Better prepared teachers are essential to preparing our students for the global competition ahead.
How do we better prepare teachers for the challenging task of making the children of today ready for the workforce of tomorrow, especially when there are no models available? Even our current understanding of what will be required will surely be outdated by 2030 when today’s kindergartners hit the job market.
Most teacher education programs in American begin with a course in “Foundations of Education” containing a hefty dose of education history and analysis of the way education operates. The foundation of teaching is built upon the way things have been. There is little thought to the way things might be, could be and should be. In other words, there is little vision for the future. As we prepare children for their futures, teachers need to explore what that future holds, and envision creative, innovative ways to prepare their students.
One model of teacher education that focuses on the future is the Post University Master of Education program. Through a ‘Future of Education’ course, and access to some of today’s thought-leaders who sit on the program’s advisory council, such as Dennis Bushnell, Chief Scientist at NASA Langley Research Center, and Margaret Honey, Ph.D., President and CEO of New York Hall of Science, teachers are exploring how to better prepare students for the competitive challenges of the global market. Post University’s online Master of Education program offers some general insights as America moves to better prepare all educators who will be teaching the workforce of 2030 and beyond.
First Insight
Rigorous education courses can be offered to a heterogeneous group of educators, not just future K-12 teachers. Competing globally means we need a large cadre of highly prepared educators of all types who are capable of meeting changing lifelong education needs. The cross-fertilization of varying educator perspectives will only enrich and enlarge the discussion.
Second Insight
Teacher education does not have to be restricted to on-ground preparation. A carefully crafted online teacher education program can offer highly interactive opportunities where future educators glean essential experience in using technology as a teaching and learning tool as they build their familiarity with the very technology that their students take for granted and expect to play a major role in every aspect of their lives.
Third Insight
A course in the “Future of Education” provides an opportunity for educators to consider trends and forecasts for the future and create a vision for how to prepare for that future. What will students need to know and be able to do not now, but rather in 2030 or 2040 and beyond? How do we today prepare for those needs? What are the emerging technologies that will shape how, where and with whom we do business, and how can we use these technologies to best learning advantage? What will be the jobs of the future and how should curricula be shaped to prepare students for them?
Fourth Insight
The skills of creativity, innovation, and leadership can be integrated into all coursework so that educators themselves are creative, innovative leaders prepared to encourage and inspire students to tap into these characteristics within themselves. The world of the future has yet to be charted. Educators must prepare the charters — the creative and innovative thinkers who will lead us to new economies and opportunities in the global market.
Fifth Insight
The connection between diversity and achievement is becomingly increasingly important to understand as measureable achievement gaps demonstrate cultural and racial discrepancies. Educators prepared to eliminate achievement gaps among multicultural populations are a requirement of the global marketplace.
Sixth Insight
Digitally-mediated learning encompasses more than knowledge of new technology tools. Educators must be prepared to mediate learning through ever-evolving digital tools. Media is rapidly taking over teaching as students learn from gaming, open-source knowledge, virtual scenarios, avatars and Second Life. Educators must prepare for facilitative roles that can harness these opportunities to best student advantage.
Final Insight
Knowledge is the currency of the global marketplace. Educators need to be armed with a depth of knowledge that can be creatively and innovatively applied. Right now, the global market is playing to STEM skills: Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. These are the skills in which Asian and Indian students excel and are the weakest skills for American students. Science and math continue to be shortage areas for America’s teachers which will perpetuate students’ poorer performance in these areas as compared to their counterparts in places like India and China.
Dennis Bushnell, Chief Scientist at NASA Langley Research Center and futurist for the Post University Master of Education program, argues that the only fix for STEM education is to have it embedded in virtual education with avatars and machine intelligence acting as teacher. If we don’t want to give up our roles as human educators, or our place at the global market table, it is imperative we develop a vision for the future, even if that vision means breaking the mold of teacher education as we know it. What can we create without a template? That is our challenge as educators.
