Incorporating current affairs and real-world examples into school curriculums

Today’s world is changing at a more rapid pace than ever before. Just five years ago, roles such as “big data scientist”, “social media marketing specialist” and “user experience manager” were not commonplace. Today however, they are among the most sought-after positions on employment-related portals such as LinkedIn.

To develop the adroitness to take on jobs of the future, it is important to include the teaching of lifelong skills such as critical thinking and problem-solving, as well as values such as resilience and empathy in school.

One of the most effective ways to inculcate the learning of lifelong competencies and values is to incorporate current affairs in education. By doing so, students can hone their media literacy and critical thinking skills which are important not just in school, but also in the workforce. Students will also become more confident and perceptive communicators when they are in touch with current affairs and feel for those topics.

In addition, students will develop a connection with society and start to see themselves as being part of a larger community. They also start to discover themselves and hopefully take responsibility not just for themselves, but for the society that they live in. According to Mr Darrell Tan, an adjunct lecturer at Singapore Polytechnic: “Only when they learn more about the world around them and how they fit in, can they then find their passion and purpose in life.”.

I certainly concur with the points raised in this article. Gone are the days of rote learning. The next generation of students need to feel engaged to have a sense of belonging to a larger community, and a sense of achievement. Personally, I always incorporate real world examples and scenarios into my lessons. I have noticed the difference in interest and engagement when I do so. Ultimately, incorporating real-world examples and current affairs into lessons will help students develop the necessary skills and values to withstand the waves of disruption commonplace in today’s world.

If you want to read more about how to help students think critically, click the following link:

https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/education/news-watch-helping-students-think-critically

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