How to Teach Students for Jobs That Don't Exist Yet

Technology is evolving at a speed where it seems that the human race cannot keep pace with innovation. If you want to prepare students of today for the world of tomorrow, then you must teach them to adapt to new ideas, helping them explore innovative concepts on their own. Teaching students to adapt will equip them to take on jobs that don't exist yet, enabling students to manage change. The American philosopher John Dewey offered sage advice years ago when he said, "If we teach today as we taught yesterday, we rob our children of tomorrow."

Difficulty:

Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Teach students problem solving skills. Professor Ed Meyers of Baldwin Wallace College offered, "...if a student gets a 4-year career-based education in a technical area, much of what they learned the first and second year will be out-dated by the time that they graduate." Meyers advises teaching students problem solving and critical thinking skills. If students are able to respond creatively to problems, then they will adapt to changing career fields.

2. Create more hands-on and design activities throughout a student's undergraduate years, especially if they are studying technology or engineering. These projects teach student to take the initiative when solving a problem and seek out a solution. Contrast traditional methods where students memorize systems and formulas to solve problems that may become outdated in a few years.

3. Assign projects to students that have no background history, theory or correct solution. Encourage the students to conduct their own research using any kind of sources. By creating a problem with a number of solutions, students are discouraged from asking a teacher for help. Students can demonstrate creativity and employ problem solving skills to find solutions.

4. Tie theories to practice. Do not just teach students how things work, but explain to them why they work. By learning the "why" of how things work, students will be equipped to take on jobs that do not exist yet, learning essential skills to invent new tools for the future.

References

• Ashland University: How Do I Teach Creativity and Innovation? [PDF]
• University of Pennsylvania: Education for Generation Y
• Baldwin Wallace College: Ask Ed