3 Things We Have Learned From the 2023-2024 School Year

As we move into a new school year, a new set of opportunities emerge for not only expanding both the scope of teaching and learning but also reaching further into the realm of not just trying to be "disruptive" but also focusing more clearly on potential shifts in one person's definition of disruption, to another.

The last year made one thing clear. There is a wide paint palette for disruption; some are good, and others are more questionable. The race between right and wrong on topics such as the limits of artificial intelligence, grading philosophy, and virtual vs in-person learning is passionately debated over their Fit for the Future.

Once seen as far-fetched, many forms of disruption within the education system are now recognised as real.

Previous long shots, such as stripping back the testing in primary education due to the high levels of anxiety in children, are now discussed openly by teaching unions in the United Kingdom; more questions are being asked about the need for "modal verbs, and fronted adverbials."

Long-term vision planning and learning from past mistakes have crystallised in many educational places. An attitude of widespread concern towards current practices and greater accountability in moving schools forward.

The previous year saw a genuine move towards doing fewer things and a move towards doing what we do better.

But like an Oasis reunion and memories of a bygone era, that does not mean the old or, as I like to call the "classical education model" is obsolete; of course, it retains value; exams were once a good way of testing what one could remember and a solid [in some cases] indicator of [some] academic skills.

However, these are not the skills that modern employers are seeking. At the last?DUBAI FUTURE FOUNDATION?Forum, one keynote speaker spoke of firms' desire for history graduates because of their critical thinking and problem-solving fluency.

1. A shift in the definition of disruption among school leaders.

The last school year made one clear: what is creative or innovative has significantly shifted. While the race was once towards how many learners scored A* grades or 40+ scores in their International Baccalaureate Exams, now the contest seems one of which school can provide and deliver cutting edge educational experiences, such as E-Sports, living in the Metaverse, or immersion into blockchain and artificial intelligence.

For the educational community, this shift is profound.

A sweeping away of grades and numbers as a metric for academic success removes significant blockages and allows much more opportunity to rethink and redesign stagnant teaching and learning models.

This is a place where generalists and specialists can both thrive.

Instead of the age-old battles of those who have pushed their learners relentlessly towards mastering the test efficiently, this new dawn is now layered with more bravery, disruption, clever appointments (in technology and leadership), and better governance.

2. Schools' unique backgrounds could influence their development and priorities.

Does anyone want to be a cog anymore in a multi-school system? Or is boutique and uniqueness the way forward?

A different perspective was being pushed across the table in the 2023-24 season.

Some emerging schools are uniquely different and not part of a multi-school machine, so in 2023-24, they could naturally be more agile and focus on different areas in which they were plugged into their passion and purpose.

This can be seen across the Middle East and beyond in projects such as Bravery Begins Within, Ekya's Nava School (built around design and creativity), THINK Global School, and the School of Humanity.

These projects have renewed focus to champion student autonomy, differing assessment methodology and real-world learning, not as buzzwords, but something "done alongside learners," not "to learners".

This coming academic year could mean a shift in resource allocation and hiring practices to promote not just test scores (marketing in this area seems to have dwindled each year) but a more robust engagement with diverse teaching and learning practices, none more needed than embracing nature (and outside the four-walls) as a teacher.

3. Uncertainty around what comes next leaves schools in a state of flux

Artificial intelligence is one of the hottest topics in education right now, feared by some as predominantly hyperbolic and enthusiastic; leading educational minds, such as?Darren Coxon,?Dr Sabba Quidwai,?Stefan Bauschard,?Dan Fitzpatrick,?and others, have commented and warned on AI's development, [the] ethics involved, and the humanitarian agenda.

[and] While there is much speculation, there is no clear answer as yet what the future will hold for artificial intelligence and education in 2024-25; this uncertainty is causing buzz for some and concern for others.

Schools' direction toward AI could be pivotal in shaping education over the next year and beyond, potentially a mixed bag of thrills and horrors.

Will we see the technology fully embraced, a crackdown, or something in between? Just this month, David Game College in the United Kingdom introduced a teacherless classroom powered by artificial intelligence—some hailed it as 'the future,' while others criticized it as 'soulless.'

Chris McGovern, former advisor to a policy unit at 10 Downing Street, said, "Although AI has a role to play in the classroom, this takes it too far."

Although AI is not the only stone in the shoes of education, it is the one we heard the most about, and this coming year will likely be no exception.

But surprises will be on the horizon as the year unfolds, and although in its early stages, we must work together to create a culture where we can respect and challenge each other for not just the collective good but also be ready for an insanely disruptive, and crazy future filled with more of the dismantling of teacher roles (Dave Game College), the eliminating of school buildings (THINK Global School), or the abolishing grades (SoH).

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References:

"Esports in Education: More Than Just a Game." WhichSchoolAdvisor, 18 January 2023. Accessed 28 August 2024. https://whichschooladvisor.com/uk/guides/esports-in-education-more-than-just-a-game.

"UK's first teacherless AI classroom set to open in London." Sky News, 19 August 2023. Accessed 28 August 2024. https://news.sky.com/story/uks-first-teacherless-ai-classroom-set-to-open-in-london-12943880.