How Do We Get from Here to There?

With the current state of the economy and job market, the May 25, 2009 issue of Time Magazine caught my attention immediately. The cover article was entitled “The Future of Work”. The general ideas have been written about in other places as well, and I’ve been thinking about how the ideas should (?) impact the way we teach.

• Technology is now and will continue to be a critical component in students’ ability to attain jobs and thrive in the workplace.  Duh!
• Ethics and moral responsibility are coming back into fashion. Yay! Are we doing enough to teach them about online citizenship, rights, and responsibilities?
• We’re all going to have to take responsibility for our benefits and retirement. Are we preparing all students with useful math skills?   Are we allowing them to develop the critical thinking skills necessary to make decisions that will affect them in the long-term?
• Work times, places, and structures are becoming more flexible.  Are we allowing students to develop the critical thinking skills to make decisions that affect them in the short-term?
• Retirement may become a thing of the past. Do students develop a strong work-ethic?
• Green is the way to be. Do our students really understand why, so it isn’t only a fashion?

Even though we don’t have a crystal ball to show us exactly what students will see when they enter the workforce, we can do a lot to make sure they have at least some of the fundamental skills necessary. Many of us will still be in the workforce when those students enter it also.  I wonder if we’ll be ready?