Today’s education for tomorrow’s world

Today, more than ever, education is under threat. Over the past few years, and especially during the pandemic, global concerns about the equity, quality and purpose of education have intensified (Datnow et al, 2022: 53).

The UN Transforming Education Summit made it clear that education systems need to adapt to changing professional skills, and learning needs to become more learner-centred, coherent, dynamic, inclusive, collaborative and creative (UN, 2022). The meeting called for a response to the global education crisis by finding ways to ensure equal opportunities and inclusion, quality and relevance. It is therefore necessary to find alternative solutions for those who are left behind or outside the mainstream education system and, above all, to turn this scientific renaissance into an educational transformation.

Picture by Janeb13 from Pixabay

We must respond to the need for change, efficiency and sustainability (UNICEF, 2022). We need to look at education from a holistic perspective and understand that it is not only about imparting knowledge, but also about enabling learners to play an active role in their own learning. This perspective assumes that a student’s learning experience is influenced by a range of factors – personal, social, emotional, mental and physical well-being – and aims to take all these factors into account in a comprehensive and integrated way (Datnow et al, 2022: 15). Schools and teachers are the key players in making this structural and long-term change happen.

A key aspect of this approach is to take a more personalised and differentiated approach to teaching and learning, recognising that each student has unique needs and strengths, thus challenging the “one size fits all” approach of standardised learning methods. This holistic approach to education therefore requires a supportive and inclusive learning environment that is welcoming and accessible to all students, regardless of their background or ability level, allowing for disabled students and multicultural education.

In this multifaceted system, schools and educators are developing a mentoring model of learning, where educators and tutors are the guardians and mentors of their students, supporting and guiding them on their academic journey. This can include working with students to develop their study skills, time management and exam strategies, as well as helping them to master the course material.

Schools and educators can also intervene to address any external barriers or challenges that may affect a student’s learning, such as family problems, health issues or financial pressures. By addressing these challenges, schools and teachers create a more enjoyable, empowering and humane learning environment for all students.

Ultimately, transforming current education into a holistic approach requires recognising the individuality of each student and creating a personalised and inclusive learning environment that embraces and respects the diversity of learners. This approach ensures that no pupil is left behind and that all pupils have the opportunity to reach their full potential.

In this context, we have launched the MOOC4TUTORS project to help teachers and freelance educators to develop their pedagogical competences, their professional practice and their skills and knowledge on innovative and inclusive teaching methods. Through this project, we want to offer more opportunities for continuous professional development for teachers and contribute to improving education for tomorrow.