Teaching the latest tech: Education technology to inspire and engage young people
14/08/2018 EU Automation
The Luddites were a group of workers that burnt down mills in protest of the use of new machinery. The term has been adapted to refer to someone who is reluctant to use new technology, in other words, a technophobe. New generations of workers are proving, in fact, to be quite the opposite. Here, Jonathan Wilkins, marketing director at obsolete industrial parts supplier, EU Automation, discusses how using technology in education can better our future workforce.The latest generation of graduates are leaving education with more technological experience than ever. Teaching is no longer just standing and talking in front of a class -۠it's more interactive, experimental and innovative. Many schools have moved from the first wave of technology installation -â€â‚¬ ICT suites -â€â‚¬ to mobile devices, virtual learning, 3D printing and coding.
Training in technology for the world of work is essential. In the UK, there is an annual shortfall of 20,000 skilled engineers. Employers are reporting difficulty in recruiting engineers and technicians with relevant skill sets. Education has a role to play in developing these skill sets, but so do employers.
The Education and Employers Taskforce (EET) has demonstrated a link between outreach programmes and young people's career decisions. Outreach projects can add a human element to science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) learning, introducing children to role models and explaining what a manufacturing or engineering career is really like.
Employer outreach is also a good way to introduce young people to the industrial technologies being used today, ensuring that when they join the workforce they are well versed in tech trends. Coding, virtual reality and 3D printing are three technologies that schools are introducing to the classroom to help align education with employer needs. These technologies offer the bonus of being able to enhance the existing curriculum, as well as prepare young people for the future workplace.
Keeping up to date
The technology available for industrial facilities is developing rapidly. So much so, that there have been concerns about education technology being outdated. In some cases, by the time a technology reaches a school, there is an argument it is almost obsolete. We disagree.
The industrial facilities of today are, in our experience, a mix of old and new. Industrial equipment has a long lifespan, often up to 30 years. Though not all the technology used to inspire young people in their STEM education will be around forever, chances are, a great deal will still be operational by the time they join the manufacturing workforce.
If a technology used in education today is obsolete by the time the next generation graduates, so what? Honing the interests and skills of young people to build successful careers and narrow our skills gap is a win-win. Education technology is not just about the technology itself, but how it can be used and what can be learnt from it. Now all we need to do is convince the Luddites and the technophobes.
For more information, please contact:
Jonathan Wilkins
EU Automation
Unit 3, Parker Court
Staffordshire Technology Park
Stafford
ST18 0WP
Tel: +44 (0) 1785 30 33 00
Email: jonathan.wilkins@euautomation.com
Web: www.euautomation.com
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