It’s a teen’s world

By Will Rixon from Cambridge University Press

What does a modern day teen look like? What do they feel? What do they like? What are their dreams? The teens we teach will shape the future so we need to prepare them for taking on that responsibility. But….what does that future look like? With a world changing so quickly in terms of technology, climate and career opportunities, we can’t predict exactly what knowledge teens will need in the decades to come. But we can provide them with the skills to help them traverse this evolving landscape. Teenagers will need more than intellectual subject knowledge. So how can we, as educators, support our learners to develop skills which help them to not only academically excel but thrive in a world of their own making? Life competencies are now an integral part of teenage education: helping teens to develop emotional reasoning and critical thinking, and teaching them to continue to value learning as they move forward into an unknown, but exciting future.

50% of the work that people are paid to do globally could theoretically be automated using technologies that already exist. 1

Human skills such as creativity, originality and initiative, critical thinking, persuasion, and negotiation will retain or increase their value.

THE WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM’S REPORT, THE FUTURE OF JOBS

One child, one teacher, one pen and one book can change the world.

MALALA YOUSAFZAI

4 Between 400 million and 800 million individuals could be displaced by automation and will need to find new jobs by 2030.

THE MCKINSEY GLOBAL INSTITUTE REPORT

All industries expect at least 50% of their workforce will require reskilling in some way. 2

Work is very different from school. Teachers spend a lot of time talking about bullying, which is important, but they need to also spend time teaching us how to handle pressure. They don’t tell you about the stresses involved in working. 75 million roles could be displaced by the automationfueled disruption. But 133 million new jobs will emerge as well. 3

The teenage brain has an amazing capacity for change.

GEORGIE WALTERS, 16 HERBERT PUCHTA