The Real Curriculum Students Need

There are so many changes in education. As a result, it is worth considering the real curriculum that students need to succeed in the future. For example, securing jobs is increasingly hard and trends suggest that there will be more entrepreneurs than job seekers.

It is increasingly common for students who have graduated to deal with the frustration of not securing their dream job. Perhaps it is time to think about how to prepare children and students for the future of jobs. When it comes to the old formula we can see that a lot has changed. The standard pattern used to include getting an education, securing a job, rising through the ranks and finally retiring with a sizeable pension. That’s not the world today, with the rise of the gig economy and freelancing there are many more options.

According to research 50 years from now, robots and computers will do much of the work humans now do. [Read: How to Be Marketable in 2025]

Rethink Earning

The focus of getting an education should not be to get a job but rather to be able to earn a living. Earning a living means getting paid or earning wages in exchange for services rendered, and not tied to getting a job in the traditional sense.

The goal of getting a traditional education is to provide a basic framework to gain specific skills. The real curriculum for developing students that are prepared for the future should include teaching them to keep learning, be open-minded, understand natural gifts and talents. Jobs and needs are changing faster than we can think so a child who is equipped to create, innovate and keep learning will be ready to face the future.

What is the “Real Curriculum” Needed?

Adaptability

The number one skill required is being curious and always seeking solutions. The days of cramming just enough information to pass an examination are over. Students need to be able to understand and apply what they are taught in all areas. This is the skill of being adaptable and flexible. Unique solutions actually come from connecting seemingly unrelated pieces of knowledge.

Unique Skills and Talents

The ability to identify unique skills and talents is critical. Everyone has particular God-given talents and gifts. Therefore, a key goal is to ensure these are identified, nurtured and maximised. Once this happens and continued to be worked on, the student is able to earn a living from these skills and talents.

Self-motivation

The future will involve self-employment right out of University vs. getting a traditional job. The ability to self-motivate rather than being told what to do will be critical to success.

Ethics

Work ethics have long-term benefits and will always outlive short-term quick win practices. Businesses that have lasted generations have Corporate Governance (structures and ethics) as their bedrock. There are several ways for students to learn this through case studies and gaining actual experience. [Read: Return on Character]

Teamwork

The ability to learn to work with people in a team is critical. Whether as an employee in a team or as an entrepreneur; it is important to lead others to achieve the goals of the Business.

Self-regulation

More than ever before, the ability to self-regulate is important. Especially in a world, where there is an abundance of options; such as the newest app, the newest game, on-demand tv etc. Being able to achieve work-life balance is not suddenly learnt, understanding the need to spend quality time with your family starts early. The reality is that being a workaholic is not attractive.

This list of the real curriculum needed and some of the ways we can attempt to equip our children and students with skills they require to tackle today’s world. In reality, the typical 9 to 5 job might not necessarily be the path to ‘earning a living’

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