The greatest gift we can give children is education. Our next generation will require unprecedented levels of knowledge, skills and creativity. For they will not only face the challenges we know today but many more we have yet to identify. Moreover, education is a proven path to prosperity and our most promising solution to poverty.
A model for 21st Century education begins by recognizing the innate learning capacity of people. We are born learners and we spend our lives making sense of our experiences. So the first pillar is to preserve that natural learning and sense of wonder; ensuring that students are active participants in the learning process. Next is feedback – consistently informing the student about where they are on the learning journey, how well they are doing and what are the next steps. To this we add purpose that students may understand the value of what they are doing.
Education technology isn't required to teach this way. As in other industries, technology simply increases the capacity of teachers and students. But the potential is considerable. More effective students can learn more rapidly and retain their knowledge better. For teachers, automation frees them to spend more time in 1:1 interactions and feedback helps them to know exactly how best to spend that time. The net result is teaching more students better than ever before.
I've been blessed in my career to collaborate with like-minded individuals. I've been inspired by their passion and creativity and humbled by the willingness of philanthropists to dedicate so much to this cause. I learn from what they are doing and share as much as possible. I’m confident that our collective efforts will benefit many generations.
Moreover, if we take anything with us when we exit this life, it will be the people we've known and the knowledge we've gained.
No comments:
Post a Comment