A Glimpse Into the Future

Education historically changes in an evolutionary, incremental way. And, as we have all seen, the pandemic has acted as an accelerant for change, creating new ways of operating and learning for schools and colleges. We have moved a decade forward in some areas of innovation in about six months. This is warp speed, radical change for educators.

It is important to remember that this is only the beginning. Long after the pandemic has left hold of culture, there is more change to come in the next ten years. A short list includes:

1. An intensifying civil rights movement;

2. Geographic migration to smaller communities;

3. Ongoing political polarization;

4. Demographic shifts, including the silvering of America, minority majority in most states, and Gen Z’s and millennials becoming the North American majority;

5. Global competition for most placed-based schools and colleges;

6. Enhanced technologically learning, from AI to AR;

7. The potential democratization and widening accessibility of high quality education.

We are at the tip of the iceberg in education. The pandemic is the accelerating step in a series of changes to the very ecosystem of education. There is more radical change to come. Best to start thinking and planning for a very different future.