very tragedy is a wake-up call. COVID-19 was the world’s. The pandemic revealed the shortfalls in our systems but also unleashed innovation to meet needs. When we step back and see the dramatic shifting almost overnight of medical manufacturing and cross-sector distribution prowess, and the expansion of data and digital platforms—(telehealth, global health information hubs, COVID-19 funding trackers), it is nothing less than amazing to observe the private sector and government’s response. Technical and scientific competency combined with a relentless commitment to the free flow of ideas between companies and nations enabled success in vaccine development and distribution.
In contrast, governments’ responses to education were catastrophic. The Economist notes that “Covid learning loss has been a global disaster” highlighting “the World Bank thinks the disruption could cost children $21trn in earnings over their lifetimes—a sum equivalent to 17% of global GDP today.”
Covid was the tipping point for a system that was already struggling to align expense with results. For example, the United States spends over one third of our state budgets on education. Education reformers grow increasingly concerned as spending flows to administrative staff and benefits, yet teachers quit at unprecedented levels, new ones are difficult to recruit, and U.S. global rankings plunge.
Our education systems need a turnaround. A new resilient future must be based on emerging technologies as well as flexible systems which maximize innovative technology and anticipate the potential interruption of services. A recent report from the OECD highlighted “shocks and surprises” that need to be incorporated into long term educational planning: cyber war, internet and communications disruptions, economic shocks, and artificial intelligence.
The path forward is not a simple course correction, but there are programs and ideas upon which we can build and learn as society, business, and government link arms to design systems to support skills competency, independent thinking, and an innovative mindset.
Access
Geography should not be the determining factor of the quality of education. In the world of Zoom and digital platforms, children in underserved communities can be given access to qualified STEM experts and learning tools even within technology limitations.
For those with limited access during the pandemic shutdowns creative teachers used cell phones in ways that were agile and purposeful to maintain communication, adapt learning environments, and support the community.
Discovery Education has a robust global daily learning platform delivering educational content and curriculum through multiple technology platforms including computers, television and even whiteboards and cell phones.
The Conrad Foundation supports collaborative global teams of teenagers networking with industry, scientific and academic experts to create solutions to complex scientific problems.
The common ingredient is optimizing and deploying existing resources.
Crisis Management
During crises, communities have successfully leveraged civil society and collaboration across borders. By evaluating what works and what doesn’t, we can create standard crisis management practices before an emergency occurs.
During the pandemic, Boys and Girls Clubs of America, one of America’s top 10 ranked public charities serving those who need help the most, not only provided meals and snacks, but also opened their doors to become learning hubs for those without internet access as well as childcare support for front line workers.
Ukrainians turned to volunteer hubs and temporary shelters for displaced people to continue educating their children throughout the Russian invasion. EU countries opened their schools to families who fled in the same way Texas welcomed Louisiana students after Katrina.
But remember, when computers don’t work, books do. So, preserve the contents of libraries.
Moving Forward
As we build our path to the future, let’s modify our approach today enabling a future-forward design as new technologies and scientific innovations continue to emerge to support education models, which are equitable and productive despite what life throws our way.
- Visualize a future built around performance and flexibility. Design community-based educational models that combine independent self-paced learning, mentoring, learning styles, and socialization.
- Invest in access, broadband and support hubs for underserved and remote communities. Utilize technology and creative solutions that enable all families and children to access the best that education can provide at times that fit their needs and technology limitations.
- Create community education disaster plans in partnership with parents, educators, non-profits, and business. Identify ways to manage the day-to-day complexity of disruptive environments to keep learning on track by anticipating the need for alternative content delivery systems and maximizing the capabilities of civil society and religious institutions.
- Expand access to alternative viewpoints, cross cultural opportunities, and diverse opinions and, in the process, create new connections that can be leveraged to reach a higher level of performance.
We do not know the nature of the next challenge, but we do know that creativity and collaboration combined with a quest for independent thought and ingenuity will enable us to succeed.
a global affairs media network
A Premise for Education Models of the Future
Photo by Midjourney.
September 23, 2022
Our education systems need a turnaround. A new resilient future must be based on emerging technologies as well as flexible systems which maximize innovative technology and anticipate the potential interruption of services, writes Ambassador Lisa Gable.
E
very tragedy is a wake-up call. COVID-19 was the world’s. The pandemic revealed the shortfalls in our systems but also unleashed innovation to meet needs. When we step back and see the dramatic shifting almost overnight of medical manufacturing and cross-sector distribution prowess, and the expansion of data and digital platforms—(telehealth, global health information hubs, COVID-19 funding trackers), it is nothing less than amazing to observe the private sector and government’s response. Technical and scientific competency combined with a relentless commitment to the free flow of ideas between companies and nations enabled success in vaccine development and distribution.
In contrast, governments’ responses to education were catastrophic. The Economist notes that “Covid learning loss has been a global disaster” highlighting “the World Bank thinks the disruption could cost children $21trn in earnings over their lifetimes—a sum equivalent to 17% of global GDP today.”
Covid was the tipping point for a system that was already struggling to align expense with results. For example, the United States spends over one third of our state budgets on education. Education reformers grow increasingly concerned as spending flows to administrative staff and benefits, yet teachers quit at unprecedented levels, new ones are difficult to recruit, and U.S. global rankings plunge.
Our education systems need a turnaround. A new resilient future must be based on emerging technologies as well as flexible systems which maximize innovative technology and anticipate the potential interruption of services. A recent report from the OECD highlighted “shocks and surprises” that need to be incorporated into long term educational planning: cyber war, internet and communications disruptions, economic shocks, and artificial intelligence.
The path forward is not a simple course correction, but there are programs and ideas upon which we can build and learn as society, business, and government link arms to design systems to support skills competency, independent thinking, and an innovative mindset.
Access
Geography should not be the determining factor of the quality of education. In the world of Zoom and digital platforms, children in underserved communities can be given access to qualified STEM experts and learning tools even within technology limitations.
For those with limited access during the pandemic shutdowns creative teachers used cell phones in ways that were agile and purposeful to maintain communication, adapt learning environments, and support the community.
Discovery Education has a robust global daily learning platform delivering educational content and curriculum through multiple technology platforms including computers, television and even whiteboards and cell phones.
The Conrad Foundation supports collaborative global teams of teenagers networking with industry, scientific and academic experts to create solutions to complex scientific problems.
The common ingredient is optimizing and deploying existing resources.
Crisis Management
During crises, communities have successfully leveraged civil society and collaboration across borders. By evaluating what works and what doesn’t, we can create standard crisis management practices before an emergency occurs.
During the pandemic, Boys and Girls Clubs of America, one of America’s top 10 ranked public charities serving those who need help the most, not only provided meals and snacks, but also opened their doors to become learning hubs for those without internet access as well as childcare support for front line workers.
Ukrainians turned to volunteer hubs and temporary shelters for displaced people to continue educating their children throughout the Russian invasion. EU countries opened their schools to families who fled in the same way Texas welcomed Louisiana students after Katrina.
But remember, when computers don’t work, books do. So, preserve the contents of libraries.
Moving Forward
As we build our path to the future, let’s modify our approach today enabling a future-forward design as new technologies and scientific innovations continue to emerge to support education models, which are equitable and productive despite what life throws our way.
- Visualize a future built around performance and flexibility. Design community-based educational models that combine independent self-paced learning, mentoring, learning styles, and socialization.
- Invest in access, broadband and support hubs for underserved and remote communities. Utilize technology and creative solutions that enable all families and children to access the best that education can provide at times that fit their needs and technology limitations.
- Create community education disaster plans in partnership with parents, educators, non-profits, and business. Identify ways to manage the day-to-day complexity of disruptive environments to keep learning on track by anticipating the need for alternative content delivery systems and maximizing the capabilities of civil society and religious institutions.
- Expand access to alternative viewpoints, cross cultural opportunities, and diverse opinions and, in the process, create new connections that can be leveraged to reach a higher level of performance.
We do not know the nature of the next challenge, but we do know that creativity and collaboration combined with a quest for independent thought and ingenuity will enable us to succeed.
