Microsoft research has revealed that students risk leaving school without the skills they need for the future.
The results of the survey were released during this year’s Bett UK conference, which is the world’s leading education technology event and an unmissable gathering of educators, ideas and edtech solutions.
The research found many classrooms were not fit for purpose, creating pupils who are unprepared for jobs that require knowledge and experience of technology.
Microsoft is calling for more support for teachers, including the “confidence, tools, knowledge and environment to deliver the education students need to succeed in the future” and ensure lifelong learning.
The survey revealed that most teachers (52 percent) still use analogue equipment and 54 percent of students lack access to devices such as laptops. This risks harming a pupil’s education, with 74 percent of teachers saying they believe technology can support student learning, create a more inclusive learning environment (53 percent) and have a positive impact on student-teacher collaboration (49 percent).
Even when technology is available, there are issues with finding staff to use it. Just 15 percent of the 755 primary and secondary school teachers surveyed by Microsoft felt confident using technology and only 33 percent had received hands-on training in digital skills. 66 percent highlighted technology as critical for broadening student skillsets beyond the curriculum, as it boosted collaboration and digital skills.
This research is focused on schools in the United Kingdom, but the main finding of the study is universally applicable. Schools across the world, and particularly in the Middle East and Africa aren’t equipping students with the skills they will need when trying to get a job.
And, while several countries across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) have drastically improved the educational achievements of their younger generations, youth unemployment in the MENA region still stands at 31 percent with university graduates making up nearly 30 percent of the total unemployed pool. According to the World Economic Forum, this points to a major skills gap in the region.
Helping teachers drive better outcomes
This is why Microsoft announced a series of measures earlier this week during Bett to help teachers drive better learning outcomes. These include adding seven new Windows 10 devices to Microsoft’s portfolio for schools including two brand new 2-in-1 devices from Acer and Lenovo, as well as the new Microsoft Classroom Pen, an all-new pen designed specifically students and schools in mind.
Other announcements made during Bett include new features that will be added to Microsoft Teams to empower teachers, and transform classroom time as well as new programmes that will help teachers facilitate more inclusive, personalised learning for students of all learning types.
For example, studies show that student engagement and retention increase as much as 35 percent when students learn with immersive and 3D technologies like VR headsets. The challenge lies in finding the right curriculum to get started with mixed reality – a barrier for many educators. That’s why Microsoft announced free mixed reality curricula to support every type of learner, and also announced the introduction of Immersive Reader for VR and free Dyslexia training materials for teachers.
Microsoft has spent years developing and investing in technology that promotes and facilitates inclusive learning. A couple of years ago a team of Microsoft researchers developed a system called Project Torino, which is designed to make sure that children who have visual impairments or other challenges can participate in coding classes along with all their classmates. Project Torino eventually led to the development of a new product called Code Jumper, which is a physical programming language that is designed to be inclusive of children with all ranges of vision.
On Tuesday, 22 January Microsoft announced plans to transfer the research and technology behind Code Jumper to the American Printing House for the Blind, a non-profit based in Louisville, Kentucky, that creates and distributes products and services for people who are blind or with low vision.
Over the next five years, APH plans to offer Code Jumper and related curriculum to students throughout the world, with a target audience of students who are 7 to 11 years old.
Driving future-focused education
To ensure students are well prepared for the world of work, Microsoft urges schools to adopt four recommendations:
- Put in place a leader to drive a future-focused strategy that integrates and embeds future-ready skills into the curriculum.
- Integrate technology and digital skills into the curriculum to increase collaboration and peer-to-peer sharing and grow digital skills in young people through certifications and digital skills programme.
- Create and encourage professional learning communities to inspire and support colleagues as they embrace technology and grow their own digital skills through professional development programmes.
- Learn more about cloud-based technology and easy-to-manage devices to stay modern in the classroom.
To find out more about how Microsoft is empowering youth across MEA with skills for the future click here.
