Education is Hard. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again. Educators today have an almost impossible task: they need to prepare their students (and themselves) for rapid technological and societal change while budgets are being squeezed from multiple directions. As many as 65% of children entering primary school now will eventually work in jobs that do not exist today¹ where they will require skills and competencies that are poorly served by an education system built around knowledge regurgitation and ‘teaching-to-the-test’. 

I have previously talked about how we ought to rethink education with an eye on the future, boosting competencies such as creativity and critical thinking, and harnessing the power of technology. I’ve looked at what other countries do, to see what lessons we can learn from them.

Which countries are leading the way?

Several countries are implementing noteworthy initiatives to prepare the latest generation for the future. Here are a few examples: 

• Finland²: Renowned for its consistently high academic performance, Finland prioritises skills, knowledge, creativity and equality of opportunity. The Finnish model has minimal standardised testing, and educators have significant autonomy in designing lessons that adapt to student needs. There is also a great deal of focus on student well-being, mental health, and happiness alongside academic achievement. 
• Singapore³ Known for its emphasis on STEM education and strong academic performance, Singapore has invested significantly to integrate the latest technology into classrooms. Their curriculum emphasises developing well-rounded individuals with strong critical thinking, character development, and a robust work ethic. Secondary school students follow multiple pathways catering to their strengths and learning styles. 
• Estonia⁴: Estonia stands out for its tech-driven, student-centred approach. They prioritise digital literacy and personalised learning, with strong teacher training and continuous improvement based on data analysis. This equips students with the skills and adaptability to thrive in the digital age. The Estonian education system has successfully implemented measures that prevent social stratification by ensuring all students have equal access to education and technical resources. 

Other notable examples

Several other nations are making significant strides in shaping the future of education: 

• Japan: Integrating mindfulness and emotional intelligence into the curriculum, Japan fosters well-rounded individuals equipped to handle academic challenges and navigate social complexities. 
• Canada: Championing equity and inclusion, Canada prioritizes providing all students with equal access to quality education, regardless of their background or circumstances. 
• Israel: Emphasising innovation and entrepreneurship, Israel encourages students to think creatively, solve problems, and develop their leadership skills.
• South Korea: Leading in STEM with a rigorous curriculum, strong work ethic, and top rankings in science and math, South Korea is creating a pipeline for technological innovation. However, the intense focus on academic achievement can lead to stress and anxiety among students.  

Key takeaways

The students of today need an education system that fosters adaptability, critical thinking, and lifelong learning. These are the key initiatives for countries aspiring to be educational leaders: 

• Prioritise Skills & Well-being: Move beyond rote memorisation by emphasising creativity, critical thinking, and social-emotional learning. Like Finland, invest in student well-being to create a holistic learning environment.
• Embrace Technology, Personalise Learning: Integrate technology effectively, like Estonia, fostering digital literacy and personalised learning pathways as in Singapore. 
• Invest in Teachers: Provide strong teacher training and professional development, ensuring high-quality instruction that adapts to student needs. 
• Promote Equity & Access: Like many of the countries mentioned, prioritise equal access to quality education for all students, regardless of background. 
• Embrace Innovation & Change: Continuously improve based on data, like Estonia, and encourage a culture of innovation and problem-solving, drawing inspiration from Israel. 

By implementing these initiatives, countries can create an education system that equips students to thrive in the rapidly changing world of the 21st century.

1. The future of Jobs: Employment, Skills and Workforce Strategy for the Fourth Industrial Revolution | World Economic Forum  ︎
2. Finnish education system | Aalto University ︎
3. Overview of Singapore education system | Singapore Ministry of Education ︎
4. Estonian education system | Education Estonia ︎

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Unless you’ve been on Mars for the last 18 months or so, you’ll no doubt be aware of the hype around Artificial Intelligence (AI); the ability of computers and machines to perform tasks that typically require human intelligence, such as perception, learning, problem-solving, and decision-making. Even before the blanket news coverage of ChatGPT and its friends, AI was already a part of our daily lives, from Alexa and Siri to Netflix recommendations.  

Here at Conflicted Parent Towers we think that AI in the near term is probably overhyped, but we also believe that in the longer term it will have a massive impact on our lives in ways we cannot even imagine today.

Should you teach your kids about AI?

As AI becomes more prevalent and powerful, we believe that it is vital for the next generation to grow up as confident and capable users of this technology from as early an age as possible. Why? 

• Employability and career potential: According to the British Council, It is believed that as many as 65 per cent of today’s students will be employed in jobs that don’t yet exist¹. Equipping kids with AI knowledge and skills will help ensure their employability and career potential in the future. AI is not only relevant for STEM fields, but also for many other domains, such as arts, humanities, and social sciences. Many artists are fearful of Generative AI (or GenAI), with readily-available tools such as Dall-E, but the genie is out of bottle and we are going to have to learn to use it as a tool to enhance human creativity. 
• Critical thinking and digital literacy: Teaching AI to children helps develop critical thinking and digital literacy skills, which are crucial for navigating the complex and often biased information landscape. By learning how AI works, what it can and cannot do, and the ethical and social implications of using it, children can become more aware and responsible consumers and creators of technology. 
• Diversity and inclusion: To promote diversity and inclusion in the AI field, which is currently dominated by a few groups and perspectives. By exposing children from different backgrounds, genders, and abilities to AI, we can inspire and empower them to pursue their interests and passions, and to contribute to the development and use of AI for good. 
• To Stop Killer Robots – Nope, only joking! We don’t really believe in Killer Robots

Why you can’t rely on UK schools to teach AI 

The UK government has recently recognised the importance of teaching AI to young children, but it has been slow to roll out detailed policy. As a result, many (not all) teachers, parents and policymakers are not yet seeing the value or urgency of teaching it to children.  

This is leaving the UK lagging behind other countries that have already implemented AI education programmes at primary level, such as China, Australia, and the US. These countries have developed curricula, resources, and activities that introduce AI concepts and applications to children as young as five, using stories, games, and experiments. They also aim to foster AI literacy, which involves not only technical skills, but also ethical, social, and creative aspects of AI.

How should parents fill the gap while the UK education system catches up?

While the UK education system is catching up with the AI revolution, parents can play a role in filling the gap and supporting their children’s learning in this area. We suggest that you educate yourself a little about common AI tools and talk about AI with your children. We were surprised at the meaningful conversations we had with our young primary school children about its benefits, challenges, and safely concerns. You can ask your children questions that encourage them to think critically and creatively about AI, such as: 

• What is AI and how does it work? 
• What are some examples of AI that you know or use? 
• How do you feel about AI and its impact on your life? 
• What are some of the advantages and disadvantages of using AI? 
• What are some of the ethical and social issues that AI raises? 
• How can you use AI for good and avoid harm? 

We also started introducing our kids to AI Image generation (supervised of course) which captured their imagination enormously, leading to more questions and self directed offline activities like drawing and storytelling. We have a whole family of AI generated super hero amphibians – all with a story to tell. Here are some of our favourite images…

In future posts, we are going to explore child friendly AI tools that we are using with our children to bring them (and us!) up to speed with this exciting new world…

1. Preparing young people for the careers of the future | British Council ︎

The post Killer Robots? Teaching your Kids about AI first appeared on Conflicted Parent.

February half term can be a dreary affair if you’re not basking in the warmth of a holiday somewhere other than the UK. On the upside, I’m in London, so there are lots of things to do with the family. On the downside…it’s crowded…very, very crowded. Fortunately, there’s a gem in the city that offers a refreshing alternative to the busy South Kensington Museum mile: Tate Britain.

Don’t get me wrong, I love the Natural History Museum, but shuffling around the Dinosaur Exhibition with half of London (the ones that are not on holiday)… well, can we go somewhere quieter instead? Of course, this was not what the younger members of my family wanted to hear, but this free art gallery turned out to be a great day out.

The journey begins with a train ride, always a hit with 7-year-olds. Arriving at Vauxhall, a quick 10-minute walk over the bridge leads to the Vauxhall riverwalk, offering a perfect pitstop at a cafe with a creative seat-cum-play area. A quick coffee for the grown-up and a re-enactment of ‘The Floor is Lava’ for the kids and it’s time to explore Tate Britain. 

Tate Britain, housed in a beautiful building, showcases 500 years of British art and its stories. The staff are sweet and after seeing my large bag of snacks remind me that eating isn’t allowed in the galleries – but there’s a spacious cafe downstairs with lots of seating where we can. Blissful words for a parent!  

Navigating art galleries with my children usually involves a routine: let them draw for a bit, feed them, and then allow a brief exploration for the designated grown-up. Tate Britain helps with that as the staff hand over Tate-themed sketch books and pencils to the kids and tell us that the play studio, story space and Tate Draw are open.

The play studio is amazing – filled with art materials, kinetic sand, books, toys, and even a massive green screen. Under the guidance of encouraging staff, an hour later my young artists emerged proudly displaying their masterpieces. 

But the highlight for the kids came with Tate Draw, where digital pads allow them to create drawings showcased on a giant digital gallery wall. They were giddy with excitement as they experimented with backgrounds, pixelated art, and free draw options before getting their artworks projected larger than life above their heads. 

Finally, the actual gallery exploration begins, and surprisingly, Tate Britain is welcoming to young art enthusiasts. It has lots of interesting pieces – and my kids turn out to be brutal art critics. Turners are dismissed as ‘gloomy’ while unusual works like Damien Hirst‘s sheep or Barbara Hepworth’s shell-like sculpture get the thumbs up. Some of the artists they’d even heard of like Andrew Gormley and Bridget Riley – thanks to Olaf Falafel and Trixie Pickle. ‘Oooooh look – a penis!’ in response to Gormley’s ‘Three Ways: Mould Hole and Passage‘ and ‘Oh, that’s makes me feel dizzy’ on Riley’s black and white OpArt.

I’m largely amused by the commentary until we hit a Francis Bacon. ‘I do NOT like that!’ one child pronounced loudly pointing to a large painting of 3 very ‘melty’ looking figures (Triptych August 1972). I can’t say I disagreed, but was mortified at spotting a very serious looking chap sitting on a bench in front of said artwork who appeared to have been ruminating on it for quite some time. He didn’t seem to notice – or was very polite. I encourage critical thinking in my kids but maybe I should introduce diplomacy too? 

In total, we spent about four hours at Tate Britain, with a significant portion dedicated to exploring the artworks. My kids would happily go again, and I would highly recommend it to other parents who want to find the fun in typically more grown-up public museums and galleries (and avoid the endless dinosaur queue in the ‘other’ museum). And it’s free! What more could you ask for? 

P.S. As a side note, a quick Google search led to a Guardian review last year from a seasoned art critic that was in humorous contrast to my opinionated kids. He hated everything!! Maybe the gallery just isn’t intended for Guardian critics anymore? Make way for the new generation of art enthusiasts! Hey Guardian (art and design) – can my kids write an article for you? 

The post Tate Britain: Arty Fun for Families  first appeared on Conflicted Parent.

We all know there are some foundational skills that our kids need to learn: maths and English. Or more properly, literacy and numeracy. Not a day goes by in school, especially in KS1 and KS2, that these two aren’t covered and they are essentially what is measured by the assessments (SATs) at the end of each key stage. 

In the Conflicted Parent’s Guide to 21st Century Skills, I wrote about the other basic literacies that our kids are going to need to be successful. One of these is digital (or ICT) literacy. I described it as “The ability to use digital technology, communication tools and/or networks to define, access, manage, integrate, evaluate, create and communicate information effectively and ethically.”

That’s a serious mouthful. What does it actually mean? 

I think of it this way: literacy skills empower us to decode written language, work out the layers of meaning in stories, and express ourselves with words. Numeracy unlocks the world of numbers, calculations, and logical thinking. Digital literacy does something similar to both of these, but in the digital, instead of the analogue world. It’s not just about knowing how to use different devices, but also about understanding the language and the norms in digital land. Digital literacy is essential for children (and adults) to navigate this world safely, to learn how to find and assess information, and how to use it productively and responsibly.

A toolbox for the digital world

What tools and skills do kids need to learn navigate the world online? The Conflicted Parent’s trademarked digital literacy curriculum isn’t (yet) ready, but broadly it breaks down like this: 

• Technical savvy: Knowing how to use devices like computers, tablets, and phones. It’s not just about swiping and clicking, but understanding basic operations, troubleshooting, and becoming comfortable with software programs they will likely encounter as they grow older. 
• Information literacy: This is like learning to read critically. Kids need to be able to evaluate online information, distinguish fact from fiction, and identify reliable sources. In an age of mass disinformation, this is more essential than ever 
• Communication skills: The digital world is all about connections. Children need to learn how to communicate effectively online, whether it’s through email, social media, or video conferencing. Each one of these has its own uses and unwritten rules of etiquette. 
• Problem-solving and creativity: Just like building with LEGO, the digital world offers endless possibilities. Children need the skills to solve technical problems, understand and work with computational tools, and create digital content. 
• Safety and security: Last, but most definitely not least, this is about staying safe online. The digital world can be a jungle, and just like teaching them to cross the street safely, we need to equip our kids with digital safety skills. This includes protecting their privacy, online hygiene, and understanding cyber threats. 

Why does this matter?

Here’s why I think digital literacy is an essential foundational skill, alongside literacy and numeracy, if we want our kids to be ready for the world of tomorrow: 

• Jobs of the future: Studies show that most future jobs will require some level of digital literacy¹. From marketing to healthcare, even construction, technology is woven into almost every career path. Without these skills, our children might be left behind.
• Lifelong learning: To survive and thrive in an ever-changing world, our kids need to be adaptable and constantly assessing and renewing their skillsets. Whether it’s researching information for a school project or upskilling for a new job, digital literacy opens doors to continuous learning².
• Global citizenship: The internet connects us like never before. Understanding different online cultures, respecting diverse viewpoints, and communicating effectively online are essential for being responsible global citizens³. I used to think this would happen naturally as people of different backgrounds started interacting, but it’s clear that the internet can be (mis)used as a tool for division as much as it can help bring us together. 
• Empowerment and independence: Just like reading empowers us to access information and express ourselves, digital literacy gives our children the tools⁴ to navigate the online world confidently and independently.

What you can do about it

If you’ve read this far, then you want to know what you can do, in practical terms, to help your kids to become digitally literate. First off, come to terms with the fact that this will probably be a learning experience for you. I think I’m digitally savvy but when I experience the online world through my kids’ eyes, I realise that there’s lots I don’t know and lots I’ve assumed everyone knows that need to be properly articulated. 

Part of that learning process has been to undertake a bunch of fun STEAM challenges with my kids, many of them online, from writing code to run in the International Space Station to designing a Lunar base using 3D software, all for free. Like Mary Poppins said, if you can find the fun, the job becomes a game. 

At this point in our journey, my kids are young enough that I have been easily able to set boundaries on their digital experience (limiting screen time or access to the internet), and I’ve not yet had to contend with the dreaded spectre of social media. So, I’m going to educate myself and share that with you, and I also invite you to share some of the things you’ve learnt in your own personal journeys.

1. Why ‘digital literacy’ is now a workplace non-negotiable – BBC Worklife ︎
2. Understanding and developing Digital Literacy | World of Better Learning, Cambridge University Press ︎
3. The Digital Literacy Imperative | Center for Strategic & International Studies ︎
4. Insights into young people’s literacy, critical digital literacy, online communication and wellbeing | National Literacy Trust ︎

The post What is Digital Literacy and Why Should You Care?  first appeared on Conflicted Parent.

For the past few years, during “Biology Week”, the Royal Society of Biology has launched their BioArtAttack 3D competition, inviting people of all ages to fuse biology and art to create biology-themed artworks inspired by the natural world. These can be anything from collages to models, sculptures or animations. 

We only found out about this competition a short while ago, while the Conflicted Parent was trying to find new ways to channel the kids’ creativity into activities that also provide learning opportunities in science, technology, engineering and maths. This yielded a whole list of STEAM challenges (the ‘A’, for art, is critical), but we only had a few days left to enter BioArtAttack 3D. What to do? 

Having a naturally expressive creative child helps. Over the past several months, week in, week out, they’ve been attending art classes at our local art-K studio. This has resulted in a huge profusion of artworks using different media, materials and techniques. The theme of the Great Barrier Reef pretty much suggested itself as they had covered it in school while discussing ecosystems and there were already some relevant pieces (a beach/sea scene and a sea turtle).

The process of creating a 3D artwork is a valuable STEAM activity for parents to do with their children. It encourages children to think creatively and critically, while also developing their scientific knowledge and skills. To create a 3D artwork, children need to plan, design, and build their creation, which also involves a range of skills such as problem-solving, spatial awareness, and fine motor skills. It’s the full package! 

The complete vision of how to take all these elements, create and add a few more and then combine them into a 3D ‘diorama’ of the Great Barrier Reef just seemed to spring fully formed into the Conflicted Parent’s child’s mind. This is one of the aspects of creativity that always astounds the Conflicted Parent. Did we all have this ability as children, and if so, how/when did we lose it? 

We spent the rest of the afternoon researching and then recreating the various creatures and plants to add to the scene: sea stars, clownfish, anemones and coral. They repurposed some cardboard out of the recycling bin with some blue paint as the base and put everything together. 

The competition submission needed some labels and lists of materials. We could have done this by hand, but the afternoon was turning into evening and the submission date loomed, so the Conflicted Parent made good use of their ICT skills to do this digitally. 

In conclusion, we all had a fun time researching and building the final artwork, while learning things almost without noticing. I’d say that was a job well done, wouldn’t you? 

The post STEAM Challenge: The Great Barrier Reef in 3D  first appeared on Conflicted Parent.

What are 21^st Century skills?

Many organisations and thought leaders have tried to list what they think are the important skills for the 21^st century. But when you look closely, they’re all talking about the same things: thinking critically, being creative, communicating well, solving problems, working with others, and being able to use and manage information. For the purposes of this blog, the Conflicted Parent is going to use the World Economic Forum’s (WEF) list of 16 critical skills that I mentioned in this post.

The WEF splits these skills into 3 areas: foundational literacies, competencies, and character qualities. 

Foundational Literacies

The basic skills and knowledge you need to understand and engage with the world effectively, like reading and writing

• Literacy: The ability to read, write, speak, and listen in a way that allows us to communicate effectively and make sense of the world. 
• Numeracy: The ability to understand and work with numbers. 
• Scientific Literacy: The ability to understand and use scientific concepts and processes to make informed decisions about the world around us. 
• ICT literacy: The ability to use digital technology, communication tools and/or networks to define, access, manage, integrate, evaluate, create and communicate information effectively and ethically. 
• Financial literacy: The ability to understand and effectively use various financial skills including personal financial management, budgeting and investing. 
• Cultural and Civic Literacy: The ability to understand different cultures and perspective and participate effectively in civic life. 

Competencies

How you approach and handle a specific situation to achieve success 

• Critical thinking: The ability to analyse information, evaluate arguments, and make decisions based on evidence. 
• Creativity: The ability to think outside the box and come up with innovative solutions to problems. 
• Communication: The ability to express oneself clearly and effectively, both verbally and in writing. 
• Collaboration: The ability to work effectively with others, including those from diverse backgrounds and cultures. 

Character Qualities

Personal traits and behaviours that shape how you interact with others and approach situations 

• Curiosity: The desire to learn and explore new things. 
• Initiative: The ability to act and make things happen. 
• Persistence: The ability to persevere in the face of challenges and setbacks. 
• Adaptability: The ability to adjust to new situations and changing circumstances. 
• Leadership: The ability to inspire and guide others towards a common goal. 
• Social and cultural awareness: The ability to understand and appreciate different cultures and perspectives. 

To succeed, we don’t have to be experts in everything, but we do need a balance of foundational literacy, competencies, and character qualities. It’s the mix of these three that really makes the difference. 

How do these skills get applied in the real world?

Let’s illustrate this with some real-world examples: 

Sir David Attenborough has been exploring and documenting the natural world for over 60 years. Grounded in geology and zoology, which he studied at Cambridge, he has leveraged his scientific literacy to produce and present documentaries on natural history and environmental issues, where he uses his excellent communication and critical thinking competencies to explain complex scientific concepts in an engaging and accessible way. Among his character qualities is obviously curiosity: he has never ceased to be fascinated by learning new things that he can then tell us about. What may be less known are his leadership abilities. As controller of BBC2 in the channel’s infancy, he set the standard for “authored documentaries” and was responsible for commissioning programmes as varied as Match of the Day, Monty Python’s Flying Circus and The Money Programme. 

You (and your children) may know Emma Watson primarily from her work on the Harry Potter movies, but she has also exhibited her literacy and cultural and civil literacy skills as an author of books and speeches on gender equality and women’s rights. She needed her communication competency to deliver those speeches at the United Nations and in many interviews. Emma Watson’s character qualities such as initiative and leadership drove her to create the HeForShe movement to promote gender equality. 

Martin Lewis, founder of the MoneySavingExpert.com website has been promoting financial literacy and consumer rights for over 20 years, demonstrating not only his own financial literacy skills but also a healthy set of competencies and qualities including initiative, communication, collaboration and leadership. He explains complex financial concepts in an engaging and accessible way, and founded the Money and Mental Health Policy Institute, which aims to improve the lives of people with mental health problems by promoting financial education and support. 

Success, for these British luminaries, as well as our children, requires a combination of all three areas – foundational literacy, competencies, and character qualities. This is what they need to thrive in an uncertain, complex, and frankly, tough world. 

Convinced? Great, you’re in good company. Globally, there’s a consensus, from UNESCO to the WEF, EU, and the UK government, that new learning approaches are needed to address challenges. However, there’s a problem: ‘there is currently little or no substantial evidence available on the most effective tools and approaches to deliver those skills’.¹

In the meantime, our education systems maintain the status quo – focusing on foundational competencies and standardised assessments. That’s not the right answer for today’s parents who must try to supplement the gaps. 

But here’s where parents can make a difference. In the absence of a globally agreed map, many innovative educators are simply taking action, and you can too! 

Join me on my journey to enrich my children’s education through meaningful family experiences, to prepare them for a future we’re only beginning to understand.

1. 21st Century Skills | Institute of Development Studies ︎

The post A Parent’s Guide to 21st Century Skills first appeared on Conflicted Parent.

Ever find yourself surrounded by the chaos of kids’ shrieks, clattering pots and pans, and the hum of a laptop battling the demands of work and parenting at 5 pm on a weekday evening?

Welcome to my world, the kitchen table, doubling up as the Conflicted Family’s homework command centre. The kids are wrestling with the mysteries of addition and subtraction, shortly followed by reading the assigned books before tomorrow’s deadline, guitar practice and a chat about Edward Jenner (the science focus for this term), whose historical experiments on his gardener’s son provoke horrified reactions from my offspring.

Meanwhile, I find myself in the role of unofficial tutor, suppressing the urge to hide in the bathroom while Googling for a real tutor and checking out the cost of the nearby independent prep school with wraparound homework classes.

We all fall victim to the “peer pressure parenting” game, squeezing in extra classes, sacrifices galore, just to “keep up.” But sometimes I wonder – why are we playing? Deep down, I think kids should be running wild in the forest until at least the ripe old age of eight. At the same time, I break out in a cold sweat if my little one doesn’t crush their weekly spelling test.

As I laugh at my own contradiction, a sobering thought pops up: am I feeding the academic monster that I don’t even truly believe in? And, worse, is it even the right thing to do for my kids?

Between fractions, phonics and the ethical dilemmas of long-gone scientists, I wonder if any of this is really preparing my kids for the world hurtling towards us at warp speed? AI, entrepreneurship, emotional intelligence, digital literacy, creativity and critical thinking – the buzzwords of the future. Yet, our current educational systems seem to have missed the memo. Research suggests that future jobs need skills that are often overlooked in traditional education in the UK. Are our kids being left behind?

I love my kid’s teachers but I’m sceptical about the education system as a whole. I know that creativity and innovation are critical skills for my children but I still drill them on maths and English because I know that’s how they will be tested. I limit their screentime even though the future is digital. I’m the Conflicted Parent, caught between my ideals, the reality of today’s educational landscape, and the uncertainty of the future. And guess what? I know I’m not alone!

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