Development in technology is replacing jobs. According to an estimate of the World Bank, 65% of future jobs are still unknown. The children of today will most probably have jobs that do not yet exist and they will use technology to solve new problems we yet do not know about.
Experts agree that it is no longer enough to learn facts, but we need to learn what to do with the facts – how to combine complex information, and how to use it to solve the complex problems of our society. Countries as Finland focus their learning aims on teaching children skills, instead of concentrating on memorizing the ever-growing amount of facts.
“We, educators, need to focus on the skills and qualities specific to humans, like creativity and critical thinking, which machines and AI lack. We need tools to incorporate them into the school curriculum. “ says Pihla Meskanen, educator of the year in Finland 2013 and CEO of Arkki International about the program on creativity for schools Creative Classroom
In 2021 PISA tests will include creativity for the first time but there is a resource gap in the schools
Creativity is the highest skill of the human brain. Unfortunately, there is an important resource gap in schools around the world. Teachers would prefer to have more support in their role in enhancing creativity among the students. The traditional teaching around the world has focused on the lowest thinking skills of humans, such as remembering. This was useful in the past, but not enough in the present day rapidly developing society.
Creative thinking improves results at school and in real life. It involves specific knowledge, skills, and competences. It requires making connections across topics, concepts, and methods.
“Future learning will take place in multidisciplinary projects that center on complex phenomena and develop learners’ problem‑solving and thinking skills” Kirsti Lonka Professor of Educational Psychology, University of Helsinki.
How to equip children and youth for the future?
“Education should equip young people to shape an uncertain future so they can live more successful lives, on their own terms and together” Leadbeater, C., Learning to Make a Difference: School as a Creative Community (2014)
A fundamental role of education is to equip students with the competences they will need to succeed in society. Considering the future of our society, life will no longer be about WHAT you know at a certain moment, it will be about HOW you can learn and adapt
Experts around the world agree on the fact that we have to aim higher and focus on higher-order thinking skills. Children need to be lifelong learners, and have the ability to create, engage, participate, and innovate.
“Creative thinking in PISA 2021 is defined as the competence to engage productively in the generation, evaluation, and improvement of ideas, that can result in original and effective solutions, advances in knowledge and impactful expressions of imagination.” PISA 2021 creative thinking framework.
Resources and more information on creative education
Creative Classroom, comprehensive phenomenon-based learning program on creativity for schools. Ready-to-use fun project plans and online training for teachers to teach as in Finland. https://www.creativeclassroom.fi
PISA 2021 creative thinking framework: https://www.oecd.org/pisa/publications/PISA-2021-creative-thinking-framework.pdf
Articles and info on Finnish Education and creative education:
https://www.wise-qatar.org/wise-matters-learning-make-difference-charles-leadbeater/
https://www.legofoundation.com/media/1657/creating-creators_andreas-schleicher-assessor.pdf
https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2019/02/how-does-finland-s-top-ranking-education-system-work
