In our information-based world, 21st century skills have become critical. It is no longer enough to learn a trade, work hard and follow directions. Today’s students need skills like problem solving, collaboration, computer programming, scientific literacy, critical thinking, self-direction, initiative, adaptability, innovation, research skills, creativity and artistry. The skills they learn need to reflect the demands that society places on them in this complex, competitive, technology-driven information age.

Massive Open Online Courses are open-licensed and freely accessible. They have no entry requirements, are self-directed and led by world class academics. In this age of lifelong learning, MOOCs provide access to learning and development to virtually everyone, anytime, anywhere in the world with Internet access. They have large online communities of fellow learners, and in terms of study level and content, they are comparable to standard university courses.

Peer-to-peer learning is being used in various disciplines and contexts around the world. It involves the mutually beneficial sharing of knowledge, experience and ideas between students. This type of mutual learning can take the form of collaborative projects, community activities, discussion seminars, peer-assessment schemes or private study groups. Peer-to-peer learning encourages organisational and planning skills, giving and receiving feedback, collaboration and responsibility for one’s own learning.

Machine learning algorithms can help identify gaps in educators’ teaching methods and indicate when students struggle with subject matter. AI can also assist students in adopting learning behaviours such as self-regulated learning. ‘Lifelong learning companions’ in the cloud, accessible from various devices, gather data about students to better support them as they develop and learn. They can even create exercises and textbooks tailor-made to the needs of individual students.

Education is a field in which multiple approaches can come together to produce synergies, and the development of VR and AR for education is already gaining momentum. With hardware like headsets and smartphones becoming affordable enough to be used in the classroom, VR and AR technology is enabling students to experience the material they study first-hand and manipulate, enhance and combine information instead of just reading about topics in a textbook.

Using a technology-rich environment, a student-centred classroom is a learning environment in which each student actively participates in his own learning experience. This requires a degree of personalisation as learners are no longer the passive recipients of knowledge transferred by educators standing in front of the classroom; they are active participants in every aspect of the process.

The idea of robots in our children’s classrooms may sound like science fiction, a future many of us never thought we’d see. But that future has already arrived in schools around the world, with educators starting to experiment with ways in which robots can add value to their teaching methods. Combined with specific curriculums and different types of software, robots can offer fascinating new educational opportunities.

The company of the future is hyper connected. It closely monitors new developments and collaborates with startups, scientists and universities. It uses smart algorithms to analyse the world and employs a flexible workforce capable of rapidly developing new products, services or processes and offering support on complex issues. The company of the future requires accessible leaders who inspire, have new visions and are prepared to veer off the beaten track.

We also offer customised keynotes. Existing lectures can be adjusted to your requirements, or we can develop a new keynote that is specifically tailored to what you need.