Innovation is a major driver of our economy. In today’s world, technology and digital innovation are transforming almost every aspect of business and while every industry from retail to STEM is innovative in not only the work they produce, but in their entire work environment, the education sector is falling behind. While innovation is essential for progress; it is also essential for remaining relevant and keeping afloat in an ever-changing economic landscape.
In today’s job market there is an ever-increasing array of necessary skills. This means that industry-university collaboration is going to continue to play an important role in driving success. As innovation continues to change the way that we work and what we choose to produce, educational organizations will need to adapt in turn as to prepare their students for the working world they are entering into.
While innovation has long been embraced in STEM fields, it is also becoming an increasingly important part of other industries and all industries also require a vast array of non-technical skills. Many companies, even within STEM, require skills from the humanities, the arts, and social sciences. This means that students in these disciplines should also be well prepared for a digital working world.
Digital Technology for Education
For different industries and organizations, innovation can mean different things. The way new technology changes and drives various industries or positions differs and moves those areas forward in different ways. What is clear is that innovation is essential for long term-future success; and yet the education industry appears to be falling behind in this regard.
Educational systems and institutions are critically important for the present and future innovation. They are responsible for building skills and nurturing ideas for new technologies and development. While digital technology is revolutionizing the way we communicate and work, it isn’t currently revolutionizing the way we educate. Not only has distance education been largely neglected, the use of digital technologies in the classroom is also not widely embraced. Innovation can change where students learn and it can also change how they learn.
In the innovation and reforming of educational systems, diverse learning pathways and individual student development will take a front seat. New discoveries in the science of learning provide ample material for educational innovation and can prompt institutions to re-evaluate how they provide education for their students. By adapting to innovative teaching methods, there is an opportunity to measure learning among a new generation of students and discover even further improve how education is provided.
Closing the Tech Gap
Closing the tech gap in education is essential for future innovation. Educational industries can begin by improving data infrastructure, simplifying federal financial aid processes, and by supporting student-centred learning pathways. What will be helpful to students is what will improve learning and lead industry development in education.
The education industry will need to lead innovation if it wishes to remain relevant and desires to remain the leader in skills development. As more and more businesses rely on innovation to remain competitive or to carve out a place for themselves, education will need to rise to the occasion and do the same. The innovative skills and digital familiarity now necessary to gain and retain work will require a shift in how educational insinuations approach learning and how the field of education prepares students for a changing economic landscape.