There has been a disconnect created between the rigid structures of classroom learning and the skills needed in future labour markets, says education entrepreneur Adam Mostogl.
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Mr Mostogl is one of three panellists who will come together for an education forum to be held in Launceston.
“From my point of view we need to be discussing what we need to do to get more students engaged with education and the world,” he said.
Mr Mostogl works with young people across the state and the country through his business Illuminate Education, which aims to inspire students through real-world challenges and experiences.
He said there was a disconnect between the rigid structures of education the skills needed in the present and future labour markets.
“We need to shift away from a knowledge-based model towards more skill-based,” he said.
“The world needs experience, but how do we get kids to develop those skills and want to develop them.”
The forum will be hosted by the National Tertiary Education Union, chaired by NTEU Tasmania president John Kenny, and will focus on tertiary education.
However, it will also show the impact tertiary education has as a flow-on effect to other parts of the sector.
The Examiner will be speaking to all three guest speakers who will be panellists at the forum this week, to investigate the issues and challenges facing the sector, in the lead up to the event next week.
A switch from knowledge-based to skills-based learning would also need to examine the ways in which students are tested on that education, Mr Mostogl said.
He said standardised testing, such as NAPLAN, was not an effective way to test students.
“Not everyone learns the same, sometimes it feels like NAPLAN is testing, for testing’s sake,” he said.
“NAPLAN has its place, it is a great diagnostic tool for teachers, to be able to gauge where they are at, but it shouldn’t be the only way we test our kids.”
Mr Mostogl said NAPLAN did not test children for skills but, rather, how well they could remember their tests.
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Other panellists will be University of Tasmania Provost Jane Long and NTEU national president Jeannie Rea.
Ms Rea said one of the challenges facing Northern Tasmania was how to build a robust education sector that met the needs of the labour market.
“Unfortunately, what you see is that students study a qualification and they put their effort into getting it, then they, reasonably, expect to get a job in that field,” she said.
“We need to ensure what is offered, in terms of tertiary education, is meeting the needs of industry.”
Ms Rae said the forum in Launceston would be replicated in Hobart and in the North-West, ahead of a national conference on the same topic next month.
The national forum will be held on September 10-11.
- The Future of the Sector education forum will be held on August 20 at the University of Tasmania Newnham campus from 5-7pm. The forum will be held in the computing room on campus (NH. V137) with drinks and nibbles from 5pm. The cost is free.