When we look at 21st century schools, we can see that the similarities with their predecessors are slowly fading. Much has changed with the advent of modern technology. Students and teachers use modern technologies, the Internet, laptops and a number of other gadgets which are continuously being improved and updated. Modern technologies have assumed a crucial role in education so that teachers no longer have to rely solely on their rhetoric.

Along with that, there are two crucial differences between contemporary and past education systems, those being the level of technological development and the demands of students.

Looking back, 30 years ago there were no computers or Internet services to speak of. Nowadays, the education provided by most schools isn’t fully keeping up with the technological innovations of our time, which are being introduced at a record-breaking rate. This is where the concept of a future-ready school comes in. A future-ready school combines high-quality education with the potential of new technologies in order to impart functional and practical knowledge.

“Generation Z” is the name often ascribed to our young digital natives who oftentimes come into contact with IT gadgets before uttering their first words. That is why, in order to meet the needs and demands of modern children and our modern world, a school needs to be future ready.

The advantages of future-ready education

Future-ready schools teach students to apply their acquired knowledge in a modern context in order to successfully meet the needs of the environment they live in.

The technology-centred approach to education defines a future-ready school, of which International School is a prime example.

As the term suggests, future-ready schools prepare students for the future by providing them with all of the conditions necessary to become successful and by nurturing their desire for personal and professional development.

Knowledge doesn’t just refer to the acquisition of information but IT competencies as well, thanks to which students can find and extract information from a variety of sources. In addition, students are taught how to use available information in order to achieve their objectives as well as a high degree of professional productivity.

What makes a classroom future ready?

Future-ready classrooms are equipped with the newest technologies which enable teachers to enrich their creative lessons with interactive and fun content.

In addition to easier access, technology also facilitates a more rapid exchange of information as well as the possibility to look up data in an instance. Future-ready educators, along with teaching activities have to keep track of technological trends, continuously develop their skills and improving their craft.

The Intelligent Classroom in the future-ready context includes:

• The use of laptops, iPads, tablets and other such gadgets which are slowly but surely seeping into an ever-growing number of our daily activities. Given their prominent use nowadays, it is crucial for future generations to know how to properly handle such gadgets and successfully utilise them to find relevant information;
• Internet access through which students can use various kinds of online learning materials;
• Educational apps which make the learning process more creative across the world. That is how the future-ready system inspires the inquisitive spirit within students enabling them to define and attain their desired career goals;
• Interactive online learning materials which encourage and develop creativity as well as the acquisition of knowledge;
• A modern space, equipped with the newest technologies, especially designed to include only the colours which boost brain activity, improve concentration and facilitate the learning process.

If we consider the number of annual conferences and seminars on future-ready education hosted all around the world, as well as the number of future-ready teacher training courses, we can see that this form of education is both complex and highly productive, not just for teachers but students as well.

What makes International School future ready?

International School’s students spend their school day in modern and well-equipped classrooms. The Intelligent Classroom concept is one of International School’s protected patents and as such demonstrates that our learning environment is truly future ready.

In addition, classrooms at International School come equipped with interactive whiteboards, also known as smart whiteboards which enrich lessons by making them more dynamic, student-centered and interesting. Interactive whiteboards support various kinds of multimedia file formats, the content of which can be highlighted and zoomed in on. These modern whiteboards make the teaching materials more engaging and easier to follow.

At International School tablets and laptops are used as effective learning and teaching aids. Our future-ready curriculum enables students to learn, read, solve maths problems and write using this unique digital notebook. In addition, students receive a laptop to help them acquire the learning materials quicker through a host of different multimedia content.

Students can also access the online distance learning platform in order to follow classes and keep up with their academic obligations even when they are not physically present at school.

Students and parents of the future

International School’s students know how to use Google apps for education in order to complement their knowledge.

The most important advantage of future-ready schools is the secure and successful future they guarantee their students. By focusing on the practical and essential, students acquire the competencies they need for a prosperous future in a stress- and fuss-free way, relieved from fear and any unnecessary pressure. Learning is thus facilitated by a feeling of happiness, satisfaction and enjoyment.