Schools in Abu Dhabi are on a fast track to developing classrooms that are cutting edge and the top of their kind. International schools are taking the leap and going the extra length to meet expectations and changing environments.
COVID-19 has changed our lives and how we function on a day-to-day basis. But, it has boosted and pressed educationists to find alternative routes to build a holistic education program so the learning never stops.
While traditional learning became an obstacle schools took on high-tech approaches to impart learning and growth whether it was gamification or inclusive Microsoft Teams, schools aimed for knowledge to never stop.
Some of the top international schools have thought out of the box to indulge students in senior high schools in the best of learning in trying and uncertain times. Let’s look at ways hybrid learning is being in which International schools are reinventing education.
Hybrid learning typically comprises online digital learning as well as traditional learning. Hybrid learning is being adopted by some of the top international schools in Abu Dhabi. Typically, hybrid learning has opened doors where some senior high school students could attend physical classes while others learned through online models and all in real-time. This has also opened options for schools to give out certificates and credits so that when a student passes school, they have an online certificate along with their degree.
It opens up options for skilled-based learning as well online where students can take up several courses that are aside from their traditional subjects and gain extra knowledge and experience. Hybrid learning allows for fluidity and flexibility and will be the foremost important sector in how education is shaping internationally.
While attention spans are reducing by the second, and mobile applications, and games are becoming the norm, students are always facing a screen. Top global Abu Dhabi schools have used this as an opportunity to inculcate learning with fun which translates into gamification. Students can play games that are not only interesting, and competitive, and offer prizes but also learn through this model. It is proven to help focus a student while also having joy in what they learn.
This also presents the possibility of online gaming competitions where each student who wins gets a bonus credit or cash prize or some sort of recognition boosting their morale and interest further. They can achieve this using already present gamification options or a school can customize the game they want to offer with specific subjects.
Every individual is unique and has a certain skill set. This means that traditionally while education was one fits all, the model is changing.
This means schools are becoming more student-focused for senior high school students rather than asking them to remember chunks of data that are useless. Personalized learning also involves the role of mentors and mentorship. International schools provide mentors to senior high school students to identify their strengths and work on their weak points. They help them explore ideas and creatives and fields that the student will excel in.
Personalized learning also means focussing on every student as a part of the collective, but also a unique individual who might have different needs. Schools that are highly recommended even have the scope and equal opportunities for students with disabilities so they can focus on what their special needs are and how to be inclusive. This also means they encourage students to join clubs and activities and experiment with what fits the best for them.
Abu Dhabi is a place where a multiplicity of cultures, people from different backgrounds, and work ethics come together. This means that workplaces are expecting students to be industry standard. This does not mean that an individual is bombarded with information, or is asked to or forced into industry standards. It means that they give senior high school students opportunities to learn from the best, develop excellent soft skills, be able to adapt to dynamic environments, and are flexible individuals with authenticity and hard work at their core.
We can impart industry or work requirement skills through various lectures, inviting alumni who already work in the industry, or experiential centers or workshops. This also means hosting events that are relevant to the students and help in their lifelong journey. These can be courses in artificial intelligence, UX design, photoshop, and machine learning. The top international schools in Abu Dhabi can incorporate into industry-standard education special sessions on how to give an interview, tips, and tricks.
Industry-standard education in Dubai must also comprise of special sessions on developing and honing soft skills. These can be about how to develop interpersonal relationships, time management, empathy, communication skills and, listening skills, how to present oneself and their ideas in an articulate and concise or crisp manner, understanding what are the acceptable dress codes at an office or job interviews, etc. It is also important to ideate leadership goals and styles at a young age. Often a soft skill that is forgotten is the negotiation and how to be a team player or a community member. It is important to remember that at the end of the day everyone is dealing with humans and humans are complex beings, so adapting accordingly is very important.
Conclusion
International schools have rolled up their sleeves and geared up to education 2.0 and it is important to look for international skills because apart from these skills, it will allow your child at the senior high school level to experience education rather than mugging up all the data. It builds curiosity and understanding and a good appetite for growth and constant learning. These skills like personalized education, industry-led education, gamification, and hybrid learning are becoming a norm whether you like it or not and it is here to stay, not just till COVID-19 ends but beyond that. It is important as a student to be equipped with all these learning resources that only enhance one's individuality and grow from thereafter.
