Exploring The Future of Education
Published in ATÖLYE Insights · 5 min read · October 15, 2024
6 Key Insights from our Impact Leaders Roundtable: EDU series #1
Author: Polen Gökbuget, Industry Lead in Education, ATÖLYE Editor: Melissa Clissold, Communications & Impact Lead, ATÖLYE
Education must evolve to meet the demands of an ever-changing world. Therefore, the pressure to innovate within educational institutions has never been more acute.
This post explores key themes from a recent panel discussion that brought together leaders in education, design, and policy to discuss the future of learning at ATÖLYE's Dubai Hub.
Co-moderated by Engin Ayaz, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of ATÖLYE and Russell Cailey, CEO of THINK Learning Studio, the discussion featured Ola Issa, Education Advisor at the Dubai Future Foundation, Ahmed Aly Shaban, PhD, Director of Strategy and Excellence at Sharjah Private Education Authority, and Navid Nathoo, Co-Founder of TKS, tks.world.
Here, we delve into 6 key insights shared by industry experts and explore how their ideas can shape the path forward for education.
1. The Importance of Shared Values of Community in Education
As the session opened, speakers strongly emphasized defining the overarching purpose of education. Dr. Ahmed Shaban remarked on the crucial need to unify the goals of educational systems to ensure they meet the collective needs of society.
"We need to start with a bottom-up approach and ask parents, teachers, and employers: why do you need education in your life? This will help us build a cohesive system that centers on shared purposes and values," said Dr. Shaban.
This bottom-up approach ensures that educators inform education systems while ensuring they reflect the community's needs and aspirations. By engaging all stakeholders, from parents to policymakers, educators can craft a more inclusive and dynamic educational framework.
2. The Role of Skills and Character Development
One of the recurring themes throughout the discussion was the importance of equipping students with a diverse set of skills that go beyond traditional academic knowledge.
Navid Nathoo, co-founder of TKS (The Knowledge Society), emphasized the need for an "uncapped" approach to education.
Nathoo shared, "We should build for today and the next five years, and then figure the rest out. The goal is to nurture skills like analytical thinking, creativity, and resilience."
Ola Issa added depth to the conversation by pointing out the critical role of ethical grounding in education.
"In a polarized world, it's essential that we teach students to engage in introspection and reflection, helping them understand their place in society and how they can contribute positively," Issa said.
Ethical education ensures that the skills students acquire are used responsibly and for the greater good.
3. The Changing Landscape of Postsecondary Institutions
A significant point of discussion was the relevance of traditional universities and the evolving demands of the workforce. Nathoo noted that universities need to adapt to current realities by changing their intake systems and focusing more on practical skills. "We need a paradigm shift where universities value skills, portfolios, and real-world problem-solving abilities over conventional metrics," he argued.
Russell Cailey echoed similar sentiments, arguing that educational institutions must remain authentic and innovative.
"You have to bring your own authenticity to any educational model. Taking inspiration from successful programs is great, but cloning them won't bring the transformative change we need," Cailey advised.
4. Bridging Gaps with Differentiation and Inclusion
Another complex issue tackled was the need for differentiation in classrooms to address diverse student needs. While acknowledging the challenge, Dr. Shaban highlighted, "Differentiation shouldn't just be about meeting curriculum standards but should also aim at ensuring students' well-being and balanced development."
Issa further explained that true differentiation is about building on potential rather than merely bridging gaps. "Teachers are often asked to perform the impossible by differentiating instruction for diverse learners in large classrooms. It's about recognizing individual strengths and tailoring education to develop those strengths," she said.
5. Collaboration and Ecosystem Support
Beyond the classroom, the role of broader ecosystem support in enriching education was discussed. Nathoo celebrated the role of government and private sector funding in supporting educational innovation. "Organizations like Dubai Future Foundation have made it possible for us to offer opportunities through scholarships, affirming the importance of financial support for educational initiatives," he said.
6. Future Directions
The session concluded with a call to action for the audience to consider their role in shaping the future of education. Engin, one of the panel's moderators, encapsulated the discussion's essence, asserting:
"Education must be patient-centered, inclusive, and adaptable. It's up to each of us to contribute actively to this transformation by staying committed to innovation and collaboration."
As we reflect on these insights, it's clear that the future of education depends not just on reforming current systems but also on fundamentally reimagining them to be more inclusive, skills-based, and ethically grounded.
If you are interested in diving deeper into these topics and contributing to the ongoing conversations about the future of education, stay tuned for our future gatherings and continue to engage with thought leaders in this space.
Are you also working to transform the future of education?
At ATÖLYE, we have:
- Created an immersive educational platform for K-12 students to learn and embody their cultural heritage with the Department of Culture & Tourism, UAE,
- Designed a hybrid education system during COVID-19 to foster a sense of belonging between students, parents, and teachers with Sezin School,
- Empowered teachers to become changemakers for educational and societal transformation with the Teachers Network,
- Designed the interior of an open roof space within a school to enable children to interact, learn, and grow.
- Co-designed an entrepreneurial graduate program to equip university students with 21st century and management skills,
- and more...
If this strikes your interest, please do hesitate to get in touch with Polen Gökbuget, our Industry Lead in Education. We'd love to hear from you!