Preparing students for the future has been the role of schools since their inception. For today this means that schools must prepare students to function with the fourth industrial revolution, a time when technology is radically changing the way we live and relate to each other.
I have heard many educators say that it is impossible to prepare children for future jobs as there is no way to know what job a student in kindergarten might encounter twelve years from now. One thing that is clear is that future employment skills will require skills that students can begin to learn today.
10 skills that will be needed in 2020 according to the World Economic Forum:
- Complex problem solving
- Critical thinking
- Creativity
- People Management
- Coordinating with Others
- Emotional Intelligence
- Judgement and Decision Making
- Service Orientation
- Negotiation
- Cognitive Flexibility
Many of these skills are encompassed into social and emotional learning (SEL). SEL is the process though which children and adults acquire and effectively apply the knowledge, attitudes, and skills necessary to understand and manage emotions, set and achieve positive goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain positive relationships and make responsible decisions. Schools are embracing SEL to prepare children for the future.
RethinkEd is committed to meeting this education need with our new SEL curriculum. With quality educational supports we can ensure all children are prepared to successfully meet current and future world expectations.
