How Work’s Future Will Influence Learning’s Future

A lot of predictions have been there about the future of work, particularly around the growth of an automated work presence and how people might get replaced by or work alongside the products of artificial intelligence. Know about the impact of the future of work on the future of learning.

The #DLNchat community recently examined this question of work and learning, and while there was some disagreement about how much the society can predict about specific jobs in the coming eras, there was agreement about how higher ed institutions can contribute in preparing its students for whatever careers lie ahead.

Automation looms large in various predictions about the future of work. In response, #DLNchat-terms posited that universities can strengthen the skills cultivation like problem-solving, critical thinking, collaboration, and literacy. Erin Crisp said that Prensky has said to let technology do what it does the best and hone their skills, as humans, to do what they do the best—responding, reacting, engaging as humans who understand nuance and beauty. Many people argue this aim on so-called “soft skills” has long been what learners avail from a liberal-arts education.

Kathe Palletier asked what to call them then - “Transferable skills like thinking, communicating, working with various others are critical for all jobs, not just those they know about now.” Cali Morrison also had a few suggestions. She said that adaptability skills, pivot skills, human+ skills. She tweeted and adds that the ability to learn, unlearn and relearn throughout life.

However, some #DLNchat-terms encountered that higher ed institutions should also offer opportunities for connecting skills to specific industries. Tracy Petrillo suggested that build course outcomes around competencies which match to job demands and skills needed based on workforce analytics. Or, design programs which focus on specific job-related skills and broader learning goals at the same time. Deidre Woods advised that create flexible space in curriculum and reward faculty who innovate and experiment. Also, engage community partners as co-educators. Morrison suggested rethinking about the learner cross-sectionally. She shared that there's also the concept of the T-shaped human which combines the technical skills for the area of study, along with the cross-cutting skills which are these human+ skills.

By: Preeti Narula

Content: https://www.edsurge.com/news/2019-02-21-how-the-future-of-work-will-influence-the-future-of-learning-dlnchat