Toxic is the word of the year according to Oxford Dictionaries. Growing media polarization, pressure to succeed and mistrust in institutions are already having an impact on children’s daily lives. How can we respond to the current high-stress environment and other rapid changes in our society in ways that create a more hopeful future in which all students and communities can thrive?
“The choices we make now will determine what it looks like to live, work and learn in the new era that is emerging,” Katherine Prince, vice president of strategic foresight and co-author of the forecast, said. “We’re at a societal turning point. Education has the opportunity the lead the way through this transition and to reconsider how it structures and facilitates learning. We can help learners become resilient and empathetic communicators and team members who advocate for themselves and their communities.”
“Navigating the Future of Learning” also presents a challenge to educators and policy makers to examine, adapt and transform current systems designed for past generations or risk letting rapid change be dictated by others or create greater inequity, according to KnowledgeWorks.
“The success of our education system is essential for the future of today’s students and tomorrow’s communities,” KnowledgeWorks president and CEO Chuck Ambrose said. “We need to engage in difficult conversations about how to make education more relevant and equitable, as well as truly preparing students today. And we need to start those conversations now. The forecast offers a framework with which to start.”
To access the research, download “Navigating the Future of Learning” or order free printed copies, including posters designed to assist with team conversations.
Research Briefing: Navigating the Future of Learning
Join the authors of KnowledgeWorks’ new comprehensive forecast on the future of learning in a webinar to learn how the major societal shifts we are currently experiencing could shape education over the next ten years and beyond.
December 12, 2018 at 3:00pm EST. Register online for the webinar.
Professional futurists Katherine Prince, Jason Swanson and Katie King will share in-depth research on how critical drivers of change might impact the future of learning and will invite participants to explore potential actions we can take to ensure every child and community thrives.
About the Authors
Katherine Prince works as Senior Director, Strategic Foresight KnowledgeWorks, where she leads the organization’s exploration of the future of learning. She speaks and writes about the trends shaping education over the next decade and helps education stakeholders strategize about how to become active agents of change in shaping the future. Katherine holds a BA in English from Ohio Wesleyan University, an MA in English from the University of Iowa, and an MBA from The Open University and is a member of the Association of Professional Futurists.
Jason Swanson is the Director of Strategic Foresight at KnowledgeWorks, where he helps lead the organization’s research into the future of learning, develops publications, and works with education stakeholders to generate actionable insights. Jason holds a BA in Public Policy from West Chester University and an MS in Foresight from the University of Houston. He is a fellow with the Royal Society of Arts, serves on the Remake Learning Council, and is a board member of the Association of Professional Futurists.
Katie King works as Director, Strategic Foresight Engagement at KnowledgeWorks, where she helps customize explorations of the future of learning for partners and supports the research and thought leadership of the strategic foresight team. Katie holds a BA in Journalism from the University of Southern California and an MS in Foresight from the University of Houston. She is a member of the Association of Professional Futurists and co-authored “The Futures Thinking Playbook.”
