‘Imagination is more important than knowledge’ - Albert EinsteinGone are the days when education was about a teacher imparting their knowledge on to their students. In order to be successful and ensure our students are equipped to thrive in an uncertain world, the most important thing we can teach our students are the learning habits needed to handle the unknown. Cultivating and nurturing curiosity is what is at the top of any teacher’s agenda as they plan their lessons. Developing the skills and attributes to be able to grapple with ideas, problems and how to become unstuck will pave the way for lifelong learners.Education in schools has got to be more than just preparing for the terminal examinations. We have got to ensure our students are prepared to flourish and not flounder. The advancement of human civilisation has forced educators to re-evaluate their approach to learning and teaching in schools. The use of technology has altered and rewired our brains and there is no going back! Therefore, we must either understand how our brains have been rewired and work with our students based on this or risk an uncertain future. We as educators, and indeed parents, must recognise that we are the ones who must adopt a new mindset in order to help our students and children be prepared for the unimaginable world which awaits them. Most of our students do not need to look at a manual or a textbook. They are starting to realise that there is no value in memorising data or facts which they can easily access on their phones, iPads and laptops. We are aiming to nurture students who are not afraid to take risks, who are not shy to question authority and to seek the answers to their questions when they are not convinced with the answers they have received. Google, the go to at any given opportunity, provides the vehicle for the development of these skills which are more than just knowledge.We want students to persevere and see failure as great opportunities. To ensure this is the case, teachers need to create environments that are interactive, inviting, safe, challenging, personalised, and supportive. Environments which allow questioning, patience, be open to new ideas, and develop a high level of trust and confidence are what will contribute to successful lifelong learners. Encouraging collaboration, teamwork, creativity, innovation, and understanding are key to creating students that will thrive when faced with adversity, cope with the unknown and ultimately flourish beyond school.In the modern information age, as the amount of information and knowledge at our fingertips increases exponentially, it is the process of learning how to learn, applying and evaluating this knowledge that matters more than ever before. Just the acquisition of knowledge will no longer be sufficient for lifelong learners in the 21st Century.NoteThe Alice Smith School is one of the most prestigious and respected British international schools in Asia. It has an established reputation for excellence and is a not-for-profit educational foundation. It is one of the first schools in Malaysia and earliest in South East Asia and wider afield to be accredited as a British School Overseas by the Department for Education in London and is graded as outstanding.Residing on two campuses. The Primary Campus caters to students from Pre-school to Year 6, while the Secondary Campus in Equine Park caters to students from Years 7 to 13 and offers (I) GCSEs and A Level.Visit www.alice-smith.edu.my to know more.

This article is from Relocate Global's Guide to International Education & Schools 2019/20 which is packed with expert tips and information for those relocating and the professionals supporting them. For volume options, co-branded editions, digital or online licence agreements and advertising opportunities, contact Fiona Murchie at +44 (0)1892 891334 or email fiona@relocatemagazine.com 

Now available as an ebook on Amazon! Simply download from Amazon onto your Kindle, mobile phone or tablet to read wherever you are!

---

Subscribe to Relocate Extra, our monthly newsletter, to get all the latest international assignments and global mobility news.Relocate’s new Global Mobility Toolkit provides free information, practical advice and support for HR, global mobility managers and global teams operating overseas.Access hundreds of global services and suppliers in our Online DirectoryFor more education and school-related news, visit our Education and Schools pages.^{© 2019. This article first appeared in the 2019/20 edition of the Guide to International Education & Schools published by Relocate Global, Spray Hill, Hastings Road, Lamberhurst, Kent TN3 8JB. All rights reserved. This publication (or any part thereof) may not be reproduced in any form without the prior written permission of Relocate Global. Relocate Global accepts no liability for the accuracy of the contents or any opinions expressed herein.}

©2024 Re:locate magazine, published by Profile Locations, Spray Hill, Hastings Road, Lamberhurst, Kent TN3 8JB. All rights reserved. This publication (or any part thereof) may not be reproduced in any form without the prior written permission of Profile Locations. Profile Locations accepts no liability for the accuracy of the contents or any opinions expressed herein.