Preparing today’s students for the world of tomorrow
Tomorrow’s leaders are sitting in today’s classrooms. But will they be ready to lead in a digital world?
According to Microsoft research, conducted in collaboration with McKinsey & Co, with today’s advances in technology, by 2030 up to 375 million people will need to switch from the work they are doing today. That means all students need to be future-ready, equipped with both traditional numeracy and literacy capability, as well as STEM and computer science skills.
According to a British Council report released earlier this year, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) skills will underpin future success and competitiveness – regardless of industry – because future jobs will require flexible and self-motivated individuals rather than just technical skills.
But, education relies on digital transformation to impact and change the way in which students learn. It’s important that students today are well-versed when it comes to technology and can use it to the best of their advantage.
Here are four ways benefits of incorporating technology into the classroom:
- Personalised learning
Teachers today are using Blended Learning and Adaptive Learning techniques to create inclusive classroom environments and design learning that supports the needs of all students. In doing so, they are personalising lessons, and combining technology with face-to-face interactions.
This concept worked well for the University of Management and Technology in Pakistan. They shifted most of the classroom learning to real-life experiences and opportunities by allowing students and business professionals to engage in seminars and small-group discussions through in-person meetings and using Microsoft tools like Office 365 and Teams.
- Gamification
Gaming is a popular way for teachers to encourage student engagement while being used as an effective way of teaching computer science in schools. For example, Microsoft MakeCode brings computer science to life for all students with fun projects, immediate results, and both block and text editors for learners at different levels.
The real value in learning computer science and playing games like MakeCode is not in the act of coding itself but in building students’ ability to be creative, resilient and collaborative, skills they will need to succeed in the modern workforce.
Helping more students learn computer science is crucial to filling the jobs of tomorrow. Technology companies like Microsoft have a responsibility to partner with the public sector to help schools close the computer science gap. That’s why Microsoft partners with non-profit organisations across the Middle East and Africa, to bring digital skills and computer science education to young people in the region.
On a global level, Microsoft partners with Code.org to host the Hour of Code campaign each year, to provide opportunities for youth to experience coding for the first time using Minecraft Hour of Code or MakeCode tutorials.
This year, Microsoft has once again partnered with Code.org to offer a new Minecraft Hour of Code tutorial this Computer Science Education Week called, Voyage Aquatic, which helps students learn to code in a fun and interactive way. For communities with little access to the internet, these Hour of Code tutorials are available to download and install for offline use.
Microsoft has also just announced a new multi-million recommitment, over three years, to help Code.org continue to pursue its mission and expand access to computer science for more students.
- Artificial intelligence (AI) for accessibility
The AI revolution has begun in Africa, and it’s going to empower and enable schools and teachers to do more than ever before. Applications contained in Office 365, for example, are utilising the power of Microsoft’s intelligent cloud while drawing on AI to help teachers improve learning outcomes.
- Mixed Reality
Mixed Reality, which is the combination of Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality, enables students to experience curriculum in completely new ways, and to immerse themselves in the learning in a way that brings the content closer than ever before.
For example, HoloTour, which is included in the Windows Mixed Reality stack, allows learners to explore the history of Rome or uncover the hidden secrets of Machu Picchu. Similarly, Masterpiece VR offers learners the chance to sculpt and paint using intuitive and dynamic feature
Technology is set to be an ever-growing part of the future. Equipping students with richly featured technology and providing teachers with proven digital platforms and access to adaptive assessment tools gives schools the opportunity to ensure every child reaches their full potential.
Every teacher can teach computer science and incorporate technology into classrooms. To find out how you can build teacher capacity to support equitable computer science education download Microsoft’s ‘Computer Science Professional Development Guide’ here.
5 pieces of advice I would give myself in high school
– Ghada Khalifa, Regional Director: Philanthropies – Microsoft Middle East and Africa
During a field visit to a small, impoverished village just outside Cairo, Egypt, Ghada Khalifa encountered a young man who told her of his journey to employment. “He was enrolled in a learnership program at a company that was located far away from his village. During that time, he had to walk two hours to catch a train into town, then, once the day’s work was complete, he’d catch the train back to his village and walk a further two hours to get home.”
Today, the same young man is employed by the company that trained him. “The day I met him, I wept at the pride he expressed when he told me his story and boasted joyfully at the fact that he could now look after his family. These are the kinds of beautifully humbling experiences I encounter on a regular basis as a result of my job.”
As Philanthropies Regional Director for Microsoft Middle East and Africa, Ghada works on community development programmes that harness the power of technology to address societal challenges across the region.
Now 12 years into the role, she says it’s a job she can continue for the rest of her life. “I can’t picture myself working outside of community development,” she says, adding that it’s not a simple 09h00 to 17h00 job. “You do it because your goal is to enrich lives through technology. Every day, I wake up and I do my bit to help change the world by illustrating the power of technology to change people’s lives, and I love that I get to do this for work.”
It’s a perspective that ties closely to Microsoft’s mission to empower every person on the planet to achieve more by receiving access to technology. “It is in Microsoft’s DNA as a company,” Ghada proclaims. “It’s not just something we say, it’s something we do. We look at our purpose and try to find new ways to create impact.”
Looking back in retrospect
When asked about how she came to be working in the technology sector, Ghada admits that she wanted to be a lawyer or an archaeologist growing up. Adding that in Egypt, career guidance was primarily available for the richer youth. This was something she wanted to change when she got into business, so, in 2011, she started offering career guidance to young people.
So, what advice would Ghada give her high school-self? “The first and foremost thing I’d advice my younger self is to build digital and computer skills as best you can, because that is an essential skill to have for the job market of today and tomorrow,” she says.
Second is to begin drafting a curriculum vitae (CV) early on. “One way to do this is to begin volunteering early on. These activities build competencies and give you much-needed experience that will make a huge difference when you go into any job market.”
She’d also tell herself not to let anyone or anything discourage her. “If you want something, just apply yourself as best you can and you will achieve your dreams,” she says confidently.
“The fourth piece of advice is to remember that the cyber world is not a world that exists in a vacuum. It is an extension of the real world. Only, what you choose to share on it is never forgotten. So, you must start early to think about how you want the world to know you 10 years from today,” Ghada says.
And finally: “Time is precious, so use it wisely, have great fun but work hard too!”
Coding for future employment – Celebrating teachers as the change makers
It can be difficult for educators to remain motivated in the current age. The world is transitioning into the Fourth Industrial Revolution, and with this comes the tension between teaching what is advised in the national curriculum, and feeling compelled to introduce learners to the digital future.
Educators from across the Middle East and Africa region agree that the integration of technology into set work can make the teaching experience easier and more interactive, however, infrastructural and socio-economic challenges continue to hinder this process.
Similarly, these teachers believe that current education curricula across the region do not make provision for Information and Communication Technology (ICT)-related teachings.
Studies around the world predict a future where new jobs will almost certainly contain something related to Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). Today, technology jobs make up 50 percent of the workforce. This number will grow to 77 percent in the next decade.
In addition, McKinsey & Co estimates that by 2030 up to 375 million people will need to switch from the work they are doing today. And it’s predicted that 65 percent of school pupils will move into careers that don’t exist yet.
As part of Microsoft’s Computer Science Education Week efforts to promote the importance of coding and technology in education, we spoke to a few teachers from across the Middle East and Africa region to uncover some of the challenges they experience:
Phuti Ragophala, former principal of Pula Madibogo Primary School in South Africa, says the country’s school curriculum is still far from preparing learners for careers of the future. “It speaks very little to nothing about coding, web design, programming or technology engineering. There is no free Wi-Fi in schools, let alone using a laptop as a teacher or as learners. We still have many teachers and learners with zero knowledge about basic computing skills.”
According to Bayla Khalid, Elementary School Teacher at Sidi Abdelkarim Primary School in Settat City, Morocco, there is not enough urgency to introduce 21st century skills into the Moroccan education system. “When I attended the Microsoft Education Exchange event in Singapore and met teachers and experts from all over the globe, I realised that the future job market doesn’t need students filled by knowledge, but rather by skills,” he says. “It is time for problem-based learning and project-based learning curricula. The curriculum should include coding and digital literacy from primary school level, and should reflect the needs of the community as well as the modern world.”
Adds Wejdan Mihi, English Teacher at Marran Elementary and Intermediate School in Saudi Arabia, “Students need technical discipline, teamwork competencies, communication skills, leadership skills, problem-solving competencies and managerial abilities. Our curriculum should therefore be expanded to include coding subjects and technology classes, because these subjects train learners on those competencies – which all employers expect graduates of today to have.”
Taking upon themselves
To demonstrate the impact of computer science on future job prospects and economic growth, teachers throughout the Middle East and Africa have begun integrating technology into their everyday teaching methods. This assists learners in gaining a basic understanding of what the digital future holds, brings computer science education to students in the absence of adequate provision being made in national curricula and illustrates how coding is just a reality of life today.
Says Ilker GÖler, Information Technology and Software Teacher at Tekirdag AKA College in Turkey, “The national curriculum in Turkey for the Information Technology branch is out of date, and I believe it doesn’t add much value to the students. That is why I make my curriculum flexible and in line with today’s technologies. For example, I teach coding, robotics, 3D Design, etc.”
Bayla says technology motivates him to better assist learners. “I try often to create my own teaching tools that suit my pupils’ needs better, like digital lessons/quizzes, videos and even mobile applications. I also keep looking for, and innovating, new teaching methods to use in my classroom. That always keeps me motivated,” he says.
Adds Charmaine Roynon of Edupaths SA in South Africa: “I work with teachers in many schools across SA to empower them to instil collaboration, skilled communication, Information and Communication Technology use, innovation, self-regulation and other skills in their learners. Sadly, many teachers still use the ‘talk and chalk’ way of teaching, and do not understand the pedagogy of relevant and deep learning. Professional development around problem-based learning and integration of Information and Communication Technology is necessary because it will empower teachers to [train their students in those skills].”
Israeli private school Beta School, teaches coding to kids from the fourth grade. According to Karina Batat, ICT Coordinator and Instructor at the school, “We work collaboratively with Office 365, which allows our learners to express themselves and communicate via Skype around the world. We also use Minecraft and MakeCode to offer the kids experience, creativity and help them prepare for life after school through critical thinking and problem solving.”
Paula Barnard-Ashton, Lecturer at the School of Therapeutic Science in South Africa uses Sway for student projects, OneNote for work-based learning portfolios and postgraduate course collaboration tasks, Flipgrid and Teams for professional development groups and staff administration groups.
Bringing it home
Many of the teachers to whom Microsoft spoke agreed that a key demotivator to their daily duties is when students appear uninterested in course work, or would rather say no to attempting to learn something new before they even try.
But, as motivated and passionate educators, these and thousands of other teachers across the region are persevering to ensure students learn basic computer science skills across subjects and grade levels in schools, to add value to the lives of the children and adequately prepare for them for the future.
Technology companies like Microsoft recognise their responsibility to partner with the public sector to help our schools close the computer science gap. We believe the real value in learning computer science is not in the act of coding itself, but in building students’ ability to be creative, resilient and collaborative – skills they will need to succeed in the modern workforce.
That is why Microsoft partners with several non-profit organisations across the Middle East and Africa, to bring digital skills and computer science education to young people in the region. On a global level, Microsoft has also been the largest and longest partner to Code.org, to reach more students and teachers, and promote computer science skills worldwide.
In fact, Microsoft recently announced a new multi-million recommitment, over three years, to help Code.org continue to pursue its mission and expand access to computer science for more students.
During Computer Science Education Week 2018, from 3 – 9 December, Microsoft will host Hour of Code events at various locations throughout the Middle East and Africa, to encourage educators and students to interact with coding experts and learn the latest tips and tricks to prepare for the future. During this time, Microsoft’s latest Minecraft tutorial will also be available online and at the events. For communities with little access to the internet, these Hour of Code tutorials are available to download and install for offline use.
To learn more about how education leaders can build teacher, school counsellor and administrator capacity in equitable computer science education, read Microsoft’s Computer Science Professional Development Guide here. Or, to gain more resources to empower you to adequately teach future-ready Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics education, follow this link to the Ignite STEM landing page.
