Week 2 Reflection

I enjoyed watching the assigned documentary, “Most Likely To Succeed” this week. My main observation of the film is it encourages viewers to rethink their perceptions of education and consider alternative approaches that prioritize skills development over traditional memorization methods. In sum, the documentary advocates for a transformation in learning to better equip youth for the evolving job market and address the challenges of the modern world.

While watching, I was reminded of a YouTube video we were shown in a class last semester, Jack Ma on the Future of Education. In his speech, Ma suggests that we need to teach skills that are “un-googleable”: value, independent thinking, teamwork, caring for others, sports, music, painting, etc. Furthermore, he states that what we teach should be different from technology and machines since they are already “perfect” and there is no sense in humans trying to compete with that.

Also, here is a Podcast related to inquiry-based education that I found engaging this week.

My perspective aligns with the ideas in “Most Likely To Succeed” and of Jack Ma, both of which reflect a growing awareness of the need for curriculum transformation. As a future educator, I agree that the traditional education system does not adequately prepare students for the 21st Century. Instead, critical thinking, problem-solving, creativity, adaptability and collaboration are more essential skills that should be prioritized in education. Alternative educational approaches, such as inquiry & project-based learning, are designed to focus on these skills and introduce students to the challenges they will face in the real world.

It is encouraging to see a shared acknowledgment of the need for change and a commitment to finding solutions that better serve the needs of students moving forward. What do you think about this idea of educational reform? Have you come across other articles, videos, etc. involving this topic? Let me know in the comments below!