The time is now for educators, schools, government officials, and parents to determine how to alter education to best prepare our children and teenagers for the 4th Industrial Revolution job market. While there are many things to consider, here are eight things every school must do to prepare for the 4th Industrial Revolution.

1. 8 Things Every School
Must Do To Prepare
For the
4th Industrial Revolution

2. © 2018 Bernard Marr, Bernard Marr & Co. All rights reserved
Title
Text
IntroductionIntroduction
Corporate leaders aren’t the only ones who need to consider how to adjust to the new
world the 4th Industrial Revolution is ushering in. Educators, schools, government
officials, and parents must re-think education and how to prepare the next generation to
take advantage of the plethora of opportunities and overcome the challenges enabled
by ever-increasing technological change. Here are some of the changes happening
because of the 4th Industrial Revolution and eight things every school must do to
prepare for the 4th Industrial Revolution.
8 Things Every School Must Do to Prepare for
the 4th Industrial Revolution

3. © 2018 Bernard Marr, Bernard Marr & Co. All rights reserved
The 4th Industrial Revolution will dramatically change the way we relate to one another, live,
work, and educate our children. These shifts are enabled by smart technologies, including
artificial intelligence, big data, augmented reality, blockchain, the Internet of Things, and
automation. These technologies are disrupting every industry across the world at
unprecedented speed. For our children to be prepared to engage in a world alongside smart
machines, they will need to be educated differently than in the past.
The 4th Industrial Revolution

4. © 2018 Bernard Marr, Bernard Marr & Co. All rights reserved
Throughout time the purpose of education has evolved based on the needs of society during
that period. It’s no different during this transition. Currently, education serves to prepare
people to take on the tasks of a job or discipline to “do” something. As we move farther into
the future, education will need to support children to develop the skillset and mindset to do
anything in their future rather than a particular “something.”
8 Things Every School Must Do to Prepare for the
4th Industrial Revolution
Redefine The Purpose
Of Education

5. © 2018 Bernard Marr, Bernard Marr & Co. All rights reserved
STEM (science, tech, engineering, math) education needs to improve across the board
regardless of income levels, age, or gender. There's no doubt every worker in the future will
need some technical skills and improvement in STEM education is warranted, but it's
important to note that we shouldn't adopt an either/or mentality. We still need to help
students understand the values that will help us learn how to use this new technology
ethically and morally; therefore, humanities training and professionals will still be essential.
8 Things Every School Must Do to Prepare for the
4th Industrial Revolution
Improve STEM education

6. © 2018 Bernard Marr, Bernard Marr & Co. All rights reserved
In fact, according to The Future of Jobs Report 2018 from the World Economic Forum,
executives desired employees with critical thinking and collaboration skills even more than
those with tech skills.
8 Things Every School Must Do to Prepare for the
4th Industrial Revolution
Improve STEM education

7. © 2018 Bernard Marr, Bernard Marr & Co. All rights reserved
Even though machines are mastering many tasks typically performed by humans, people are
still more adept at creative endeavors, imagination, critical thinking, social interaction, and
physical dexterity. The educational system of the future needs to develop these inherent
abilities in humans, so they are equipped to partner with machines in the future rather than
compete with them.
8 Things Every School Must Do to Prepare for the
4th Industrial Revolution
Develop Human Potential

8. © 2018 Bernard Marr, Bernard Marr & Co. All rights reserved
In his book, Future Shock, Alvin Toffler wrote: "The illiterate of the 21st century will not be
those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn and relearn." Not only
is there the reality that machines will take over jobs humans do today, according to a Dell
Technologies and Institute for the Future (IFTF) report, 85 percent of the jobs in 2030 don’t
exist yet. Structured education can no longer end after leaving school or college. Education
must become a lifelong endeavour, and sources for education need to evolve to provide
those opportunities.
8 Things Every School Must Do to Prepare for the
4th Industrial Revolution
Adapt To Lifelong Learning Models

9. © 2018 Bernard Marr, Bernard Marr & Co. All rights reserved
Attributes such as creativity, curiosity, and design-thinking will be essential for the future
workforce. People will no longer start a career path and only grow with one role, so nurturing
competent lifelong learners becomes essential.
8 Things Every School Must Do to Prepare for the
4th Industrial Revolution
Adapt To Lifelong Learning Models

10. © 2018 Bernard Marr, Bernard Marr & Co. All rights reserved
American philosopher John Dewey said, “If we teach today’s students as we taught
yesterday’s, we rob them of tomorrow.” Even though he lived well before the beginnings of
the 4th Industrial Revolution, his words are very appropriate today. Rather than teachers
distilling information to students that they then memorize, teachers will become guides to
help students facilitate their own learning and lines of inquiry. Failure needs to be embraced
as an essential step to learning. Additionally, teaching will be much more personalized, which
will be supported by bringing in technologies such as AI and machine learning.
8 Things Every School Must Do to Prepare for the
4th Industrial Revolution
Alter Educator Training

11. © 2018 Bernard Marr, Bernard Marr & Co. All rights reserved
To allow students to practice their curiosity, problem-solving skills, inquisitiveness and the
iterations of failure, schools need to provide learning environments that will enable students
to be creators using a wide variety of physical and digital tools. This can help equip children
with the love of learning that will allow them to make sense of their world through hands-on
experiences that emphasize collaboration and creativity.
8 Things Every School Must Do to Prepare for the
4th Industrial Revolution
Make Schools Makerspaces

12. © 2018 Bernard Marr, Bernard Marr & Co. All rights reserved
In a digital, interconnected world, employees of the future will need to have a global mindset.
Schools and educators must adapt learning to take this into account. For example, history
might not be taught from the perspective of one country but rather with examples from
around the world; and instead of teaching the same languages that have always been taught,
schools should look at international demand and the languages of emerging markets.
8 Things Every School Must Do to Prepare for the
4th Industrial Revolution
International Mindfulness

13. © 2018 Bernard Marr, Bernard Marr & Co. All rights reserved
From how long degrees take to forging stronger ties between institutions of higher learning
and industry, changes will need to be made to our post-secondary education learning to
prepare students for the 4th Industrial Revolution adequately. During the 4th industrial
revolution, college qualifications will become shorter and more focused, and colleges will
provide more life-long education with modular post-grad qualifications throughout the
working lives of individuals.
8 Things Every School Must Do to Prepare for the
4th Industrial Revolution
Change Higher Education

14. © 2018 Bernard Marr, Bernard Marr & Co. All rights reserved
This will also impact how earlier education levels will need to modify their college preparatory
classes. For example, it is essential that the seeds for this type of learning are set in schools by
offering students the opportunity to learn topics beyond their core curriculum and develop a
love for learning.
8 Things Every School Must Do to Prepare for the
4th Industrial Revolution
Change Higher Education

15. © 2017 Bernard Marr , Bernard Marr & Co. All rights reserved
© 2018 Bernard Marr, Bernard Marr & Co. All rights reserved
Bernard Marr is an internationally best-selling author, popular keynote speaker, futurist, and a
strategic business & technology advisor to governments and companies. He helps
organisations improve their business performance, use data more intelligently, and
understand the implications of new technologies such as artificial intelligence, big data,
blockchains, and the Internet of Things.
LinkedIn has ranked Bernard as one of the world’s top 5 business influencers. He is a frequent
contributor to the World Economic Forum and writes a regular column for Forbes. Every day
Bernard actively engages his 1.5 million social media followers and shares content that
reaches millions of readers.
Visit The
Website
© 2017 Bernard Marr , Bernard Marr & Co. All rights reserved
© 2018 Bernard Marr, Bernard Marr & Co. All rights reserved
Bernard Marr is an internationally best-selling author, popular keynote speaker, futurist, and a
strategic business & technology advisor to governments and companies. He helps
organisations improve their business performance, use data more intelligently, and
understand the implications of new technologies such as artificial intelligence, big data,
blockchains, and the Internet of Things.
LinkedIn has ranked Bernard as one of the world’s top 5 business influencers. He is a frequent
contributor to the World Economic Forum and writes a regular column for Forbes. Every day
Bernard actively engages his 1.5 million social media followers and shares content that
reaches millions of readers.
Visit The
Website

16. Title
Subtitle
Be the FIRST to receive news,
articles, insights and event
updates from Bernard Marr & Co
straight to your inbox.
Signing up is EASY! Simply fill out
the online form and we’ll be in
touch!
© 2018 Bernard Marr, Bernard Marr & Co. All rights reserved

17. BernardMarr
hello@bernardmarr.com
www.bernardmarr.com