To prepare students for the rapidly evolving technological landscape, educators must prioritize future-ready skills like critical thinking, adaptability, collaboration, digital literacy, and more. Learn how to integrate AI, computational thinking, project-based learning, and resilience-building strategies to help students develop the problem-solving abilities and ethical awareness needed to thrive in a future shaped by automation and emerging technologies.

We are experiencing such an evolving technological landscape in the world of work and education. As educators, we must prepare students not only for today's jobs but also for tomorrow's opportunities and challenges. As an educator who spends a lot of time researching and teaching about AI, emerging technologies, and STEM education, in addition to Spanish, I’ve consistently worked to stay informed and current with the changes we are seeing. I make sure I am aware of the skills that students need to be successful in our changing world, especially as a result of artificial intelligence and other technologies.

Educators must consider the methods and tools needed to provide students with a solid foundation to be future-ready. With a variety of practical strategies, educators can ensure that all students develop the skills, mindset, and adaptability needed to be successful in careers in the future.

The Need for Future-Ready Foundations

Education has always been about preparing students for the future. However, the changes we are experiencing are moving fast, especially with advancements in AI, computer science, robotics, and quantum computing. Traditional educational models that may have prioritized rote memorization and cover only specific and content-area related curriculum are no longer enough. Instead, we must work to create opportunities that will foster students’ critical thinking, adaptability, collaboration, creativity, and digital literacy—skills that will enable them to navigate an unpredictable and increasingly technology-driven world.

The Changing World of Learning and Work

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

AI is not something new nor is it a futuristic concept. AI surrounds us in all areas of work and life. It is impacting many industries, such as healthcare, finance, education, and many other sectors of work. To be prepared, our students must understand AI’s impact, its ethical implications, and learn to leverage it in ways that enhance and not replace their learning. The likelihood is that future employers will seek employees who are AI literate.

Automation and Workforce Transformation

We know that there is a likelihood that many jobs will be lost or changed as a result of automation. While there are jobs that will be lost, jobs that don’t exist today will be created. Because of AI and automation, we have to make sure that our students continue to develop essentially human skills. Skills in emotional intelligence, ethical reasoning, creative problem-solving, and resilience will prepare students to be successful. Choosing methods such as challenge-based or problem-based learning will be of great benefit for building these skills.

Knowledge-Based to Skills-Based Learning

We can instantly access information from millions and billions of resources. The key is to know how to evaluate, process, and apply the information received. Students need learning opportunities that shift them from simply learning the content to, instead, applying what they have learned in real-world contexts. Exploring project-based learning (PBL) is a great option. Looking at the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals enables students to build global awareness and apply their knowledge in authentic and meaningful ways.

Given these areas, how do we, as educators, ensure that students build strong foundations for an evolving world of work? Future-ready education isn’t just about integrating the latest technology; it’s about fostering a mindset of curiosity, resilience, and adaptability. 

Here are some core components of a future-ready foundation for students:

1. Fostering Creativity and Problem-Solving

A future-ready student moves beyond simply consuming the content but learns how to leverage various tools to become creators, problem solvers, and innovators. Some methods, such as design thinking, which is a human-centered approach to problem-solving, help students develop innovative solutions to real-world challenges. The use of challenge-based or project-based learning gives students the chance to investigate real-world problems, such as those listed in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). One question to ask, such as "How can we make cities more sustainable?" guides students through brainstorming, prototyping, and testing their ideas while also working as part of a team. Task students with considering how to use emerging technologies such as AI to provide solutions to these challenges.

As a STEAM educator, I show students how to use AI tools in creative ways. For example, AI-generated art tools can create images for discussion. Show students how to create or interact with AI-powered chatbots with MagicSchool AI to assist with learning. Depending on the age of students, involving them in the design of a chatbot is also a good learning opportunity that can lead to discussions such as ethical considerations.

2. AI and Computational Thinking in the Classroom

Since I teach an emerging technology course covering topics like AI and its impact on the future of work and education, I’ve seen the impact of engaging students in AI-related activities that can cultivate computational thinking, problem-solving, and ethical awareness. Lessons that help students understand AI and issues such as ethics and bias are important for students in all grades. In my class, students analyze AI-generated content and discuss fairness, bias, and ethical responsibility. We explore AI in everyday life and how it powers chatbots and self-driving cars, for example. Ask students to investigate how AI impacts their daily lives and what improvements they’d suggest.

We also use AI tools for hands-on learning so that students understand their power and know how to use them safely, ethically, and responsibly. Some platforms, such as Google’s Teachable Machine, allow students to train their own AI models, which helps them understand machine-learning concepts and build skills in critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving. We have used robots like the VinciBot and Nous AI Set from MatataStudio EDU. With Nous AI, students can better understand facial recognition, object detection, and how AI functions. Using AI-powered tools such as Brisk Teaching with Brisk Boost, School AI, or Snorkl with students shows them how these tools can be used appropriately. We also need to guide them in understanding how to keep themselves safe online, especially with the advancing capabilities of AI. By engaging students in AI literacy, we prepare them not just to use AI but to question, design, and innovate with it.

3. Fostering Resilience and Adaptability

As we see the many changes in our schools and the world of work, helping students to learn to be adaptable and build resilience is essential for success. When we model and encourage adaptability, resilience, and lifelong learning, we will prepare students for any challenges they may encounter as the future of work evolves.

Some ways to help students build resilience are using methods such as PBL or STEM activities, where they must engage more deeply in the process and not the product of learning. Encouraging students to reflect on the learning process and adjust as failures may happen and then guiding them to build resilience will help them become more confident in learning. Opportunities for students to work together, support each other, and learn from each other's strengths will also help them to develop these critical skills further.

To best prepare our students, we must be willing to embrace the changes and create opportunities to help them develop these skills.  It will require us to embrace AI and other emerging technologies as learning tools and guide students as they learn how to use them. We can also explore different tools to help. Get started for free with options such as EduaideAi, TeachShare, or Enlighten AI to generate some ideas and explore AI’s capabilities. With a tool like TeacherToolAI by TeachShare for example, educators can create a variety of learning materials to help students develop these essential skills and align them to specific standards or accommodations.

By designing real-world learning experiences, we will empower students to develop creativity, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills while also helping them to learn to adapt and build the resilience they need to face challenges they may encounter along their learning journey.

About Rachelle Dené Poth

Dr.. Rachelle Dené Poth is an ed-tech consultant, presenter, attorney, author, and teacher. Rachelle teaches Spanish and STEAM: What’s Next in Emerging Technology. Rachelle has a Juris Doctor degree from Duquesne University School of Law and a Doctorate in Instructional Technology. She is a Consultant Speaker and owner of ThriveinEDU LLC Consulting. She is an ISTE Certified Educator. At ISTE19, she received the Making IT Happen Award and several Presidential Gold Awards for volunteer service to education.  

Rachelle is the author of nine books and is a blogger for Edutopia, Getting  Smart, and Defined. Follow Rachelle on Twitter/X and Instagram. Click here to listen to Rachelle's podcast, ThriveinEDU. Contact Rachelle for PD and keynotes!