Students in the UK risk departure school without the skills they need for the future, new research from Microsoft Surface has discovered.
The study found galore schoolrooms were not fit for purpose, creating pupils who are ad-lib for jobs that require cognition and experience of technology.
Microsoft has called for more support for teachers, including the “confidence, tools, cognition and environment to deliver the education students need to succeed in the future” and ensure they continuing learning throughout their lives.
The company’s survey discovered that most teachers (52%) still used analogue instrumentality and 54% of students lacked access to inclination so much as laptops. This risked harming a pupil’s education, with 74% of teachers expression they believe technology can support student learning, create a more comprehensive learning environment (53%) and have a positive impact on student-teacher collaboration (49%).
Even when technology was available, there were issues with finding staff to use it. Just 15% of the 755 primary and secondary school teachers surveyed by Microsoft felt confident exploitation technology and only 33% had received active training in digital skills.
As a result, less than half (42%) of teachers aforesaid schools were giving students the skills they will need when trying to get a job.
Chris Rothwell, Director of Education at Microsoft UK, aforesaid: “The role of the teacher has ne'er been more vital than it is today. inside a quickly ever-changing world, the next generation must be prepared with the confidence, skills and womb-to-tomb learning mentality needful to succeed. Teachers have a key role to play in inculcation this.
“Our research shows that teachers are eager to go above and on the far side to nurture future-ready skills and introduce in the schoolroom. What’s important is that they have the support they need to help them get access to great learning environments, opportunities for strong professional development and the chance to work in evolving, transformational environments that support our future leaders.
“That’s why Microsoft proclaimed a series of measures earlier this week to help teachers in the schoolroom, including a new schoolroom Pen for the Surface Go and money off Surface inclination.”
Despite their best efforts, more than three-quarters (77%) of teaching staff worked under time and resource constraints, with 67% focused on “getting through the day” rather than thinking creatively and innovatively about individual student needs.
Microsoft’s survey was published just a week after Ofsted proclaimed that it would focus more on the quality of teaching rather than just examination results. The move by the education standards body was echoed by the survey, which found that 41% of educational staff aforesaid the “ability to retain information” was a key skill presently being prioritised by their school, but just 6% felt it would be important for students in the future.
Instead, teachers felt that building “resilience” (59%) and “problem-solving” (53%) would be crucial, with 66% highlight technology as critical for broadening student skillsets on the far side the course of study, as it boosted collaboration and digital skills.
To ensure students were well prepared for the world of work, Microsoft has urged schools to adopt four recommendations:
- Put in place a leader to drive a future-focused strategy that integrates and embeds future-ready skills into the course of study
- Integrate technology and digital skills into the course of study to increase collaboration and peer-to-peer sharing, and grow digital skills in young people through certifications and digital skills programme
- Create and encourage professional learning communities to inspire and support colleagues as they embrace technology and grow their own digital skills through professional development programmes
- Learn more about cloud-based technology and easy-to-manage inclination to stay modern in the schoolroom.
Ysgol Bae Baglan, in Port Talbot, is a three to 16, all-through, Microsoft Showcase School has