FROM THE PRINCIPAL | REDEEMER RECORD – JULY 2019
From the
P R I N C I PA L
Preparing our young people for this world of the future Bernard Marr in a recent article for Forbes magazine (April, 2019) suggests that corporate leaders aren’t the only ones who need to consider how to adjust to the new world the fourth Industrial Revolution is ushering in. He contends that educators, schools, government officials, and parents must re-think education and how to prepare the next generation to take advantage of the plethora of opportunities and overcome the challenges enabled by ever-increasing technological change. So what is the fourth Industrial Revolution and how does it affect Redeemer? It’s quite different than the three Industrial Revolutions that preceded it—steam and water power, electricity and assembly lines, and computerisation—because it will even challenge our ideas about what it means to be human. The fourth Industrial Revolution will dramatically change the way we relate to one another, live, work, and educate our children. These shifts are enabled by smart technologies, including artificial intelligence, big data, augmented reality, block chain, the Internet of Things, and automation. These technologies are disrupting every industry across the world at unprecedented speed. For our children to be prepared to engage in a world alongside smart machines, they will need to be educated differently than in the past. So here are a number of things Redeemer is currently considering when preparing our young people for this world of the future.
Redeemer Lutheran College | Our Hope is in Christ 745 Rochedale Road Rochedale Queensland 4123 PO Box 6090 Upper Mount Gravatt Queensland 4122 Telephone 07 3340 8888 | Facsimile 07 3340 8800 record@redeemer.com.au | www.redeemer.com.au www.facebook.com/RedeemerLutheranCollege www.instagram.com/RedeemerCollege www.twitter.com/RedeemerCollege A school of the Lutheran Church of Australia Queensland District ARBN 051 602 996 | ABN 40 618 603 690 CRICOS Provider Code 03716F Enrolments: Mrs Nikki McKenzie, Enrolments Registrar Telephone 07 3340 8822 | enrolments@redeemer.com.au Redeemer Record is a publication of Redeemer Lutheran College © 2019 | Print Post Approved 100003942 Editor: Mr Julian Schubert, Director of Marketing and Communiations Contributions: record@redeemer.com.au Design and Print: Openbook Howden, Adelaide On the cover: Robert Blakeley (Barbaby Tucker) and Sam Tobin (Cornelius Hackl) in “Hello, Dolly!” Photography by: Michael Kirby, Studio Kirby
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The purpose of education Throughout time the purpose of education has evolved based on the needs of society during that period. It’s no different during this transition to the fourth Industrial Revolution. Currently, education serves to prepare people to take on the tasks of a job or discipline to “do” something. As we move farther into the future, education will need to support children to develop the skillset and mindset to do anything in their future rather than a particular “something.”
Focus on STEM education Marr postulates that STEM (science, tech, engineering, math) education needs to improve across the board regardless of income levels, age, or gender. There’s no doubt every worker in the future will need some technical skills and improvement in STEM education is warranted, but it’s important to note that we shouldn’t adopt an either/or mentality. We still need to help students understand the values that will help us learn how to use this new technology ethically and morally; therefore, humanities training and subjects such as Christian Studies and Religion and Ethics will still be essential. In fact, according to The Future of Jobs Report 2018 from the World Economic Forum, executives desired employees with critical thinking and collaboration skills even more than those with tech skills.
Develop human potential Even though machines are mastering many tasks typically performed by humans, people are still more adept at creative pursuits, imagination, critical thinking, social interaction, and physical dexterity. The educational system of the future needs to develop these inherent abilities in humans, so they are equipped to partner with machines in the future rather than compete with them. At Redeemer we offer a robust humanities and arts program which are pivotal in developing this holistic education. Additionally our wide ranging co-curricular program including music, sport, debating, robotics, chess, dance, art, Duke of Edinburgh program as well as our inspirational outdoor education program, aid in developing well rounded young people.
Adapt to lifelong learning models All Lutheran schools believe deeply in lifelong learning for students and staff alike. In his book, Future Shock, Alvin Toffler wrote: “The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn and relearn.” Structured education can no longer end after leaving school or college. Education must become a lifelong endeavour, and we acknowledge that school is only the first, albeit significant stage, along this learning journey. Attributes such as creativity, curiosity and design-thinking will be essential for the future workforce. People will no longer start a career path and only grow with one role, so nurturing competent lifelong learners becomes essential.