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The ones to watch
This generation redefine what we mean by resilience and grit .
By Linda Brown
It seems almost a cliché to describe
these times as extraordinary , yet they are , and there is no better word to describe this moment .
The question that keeps me up at night , the question that informs every part of my being , is how will this extraordinary moment impact the learners of the world ?
UN Secretary-General António Guterres says the world is facing a defining moment as the COVID-19 pandemic disrupts global education systems .
It is the most significant disruption of education in history . An entire generation of learners is facing enormous challenges on a monumental scale .
But I think there is something else about these extraordinary times that must be named . These learners will emerge more resilient , more creative , and with more determination than any generation before them .
This group of Year 12s will be the generation to watch .
It will not be an easy road . The challenges students are facing right now are genuine and very serious . We have a responsibility to support and nurture them through this period . We must encourage them to dream big , see beyond the now and , importantly , we must help pave their pathways to success .
FROM ADVERSITY COMES OPPORTUNITY
There is a lot of focus on what the class of 2020 is missing out on . But instead of focusing on what ’ s been lost , let ’ s instead think about what has been gained . The upheaval and changes mean that students are learning invaluable life skills – skills that are not usually taught in the classroom .
The adversity young students face today will serve them well in the future .
GLOBAL SOLIDARITY WILL CREATE A SIGNIFICANT SHARED MOMENT
In Australia , the national conversation about whether the ATAR should count towards higher education is gaining momentum . There are also calls for endof-year exams to be cancelled altogether . Students and teachers are divided – and understandably so .
There is no simple answer . And while the discussion around the ATAR is Australiaspecific , the challenges facing senior high school students are not unique .
This is a shared experience between students all over the world . Yes , the disruption looks different from one country to another – even one city to another – but students will be united by this moment . The class of 2020 will share a bond that goes beyond borders .
What will they do with this connection ?
CHANGING EDUCATION FOR THE BETTER
Education has the power to change lives . As the world faces unsustainable levels of inequality , we need to create inclusive , resilient and quality education systems that are fit for the future .
Today ’ s students must be co-designers in the future of education . If there ’ s anyone we can learn from , it ’ s our students .
Universities will need to be prepared for a generation of new students , who will expect more from us . They will be ready to call out problems and equipped to design solutions – to make the education system better .
These learners are witnessing the best and the worst in terms of online learning . They are digital natives . They are not going to tolerate mediocre systems , slow processes and a system unprepared for them and their knowledge .
Through the experiences of this year , this generation can redefine learning and curriculum . And they will .
At Torrens University , we have always believed in choice and co-design . We have never been a factory of smart kids in , smart kids out . Instead , we ’ ve believed in looking at the whole picture of each student and working with them to design a path through education to the job they want .
We ’ ve always believed the ATAR is essential , but the individuality of the student is even more so . We know the number that comes after 13 years of study is only one measure to understand a learner ’ s capability , talent , wit , drive and capacity to succeed in university .
A BETTER FUTURE The interdependencies between people , countries and planet are now coming to the front of everyone ’ s mind .
There will be more care , less selfishness . More focus on the social good , less focus on materialism .
Before 2020 , I never personally understood what grit was . COVID-19 has taught me what it is . It ’ s about coming out of something stronger than you went into it .
So , the question that will be asked of this generation of learners is not “ How did COVID-19 affect you ?” Instead , it will be “ What did you do during COVID-19 ?”
We can come out of COVID-19 stronger than before . And this is especially true for learners , and particularly the year 12 class of 2020 .
I stand by – waiting to support everything that they will lead and create . ■
Linda Brown is President of Torrens University Australia and Think Education .
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