DIY, vocational learning becoming the education of choice - global survey

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Pearson conducted the study with Harris Insights & Analytics, with people ranging in age from 16 to 70 participating in the poll. It is ostensibly the most comprehensive and wide ranging global public opinion survey of learners to date.

The findings highlight a massive global transformation in education, driven by the changing economic landscape of the new talent economy, the significant influence of technology and perceptions that education systems are out of touch with learners.

One of the most significant findings is that learners around the world are now taking control of their education through a “do-it-yourself” (DIY) mindset, adding to their formal education with a mix of self-teaching, short courses and online learning to keep pace with the talent economy.

People are layering on to their traditional education by mixing and matching what works and what they can afford to get trained up for the new economy. Globally, 81% of people say that learning will become more self-service, with 88% of South Africans strongly agreeing with this statement.

“Access to online learning, free online resources, short courses and certifications, as opposed to declining trust in traditional education institutions, means that people believe that DIY learning is the future,” says Dr Nhlanhla Thwala, academic director at Pearson Institute of Higher Education.

“The findings show that learners are thinking beyond the traditional notions of learning, signalling a massive opportunity for education providers to reinvent learning to meet the needs of a new economy.”

The Global Learner Survey’s top findings include:

• Confidence in educational institutions is wavering: South African respondents feel that local educational institutions are failing the current generation entering the workplace, with only 32% of participants feeling that the country’s education system works well for the current generation. In terms of whether the country’s primary/secondary education system compares favourably to that of other countries, only 28% felt that this was the case, while only 42% felt that South Africa’s higher education system compares well to other countries.

• In the next decade digital and virtual learning will be the new normal: Technology can enhance the learning experience and increase accessibility; people of all ages are embracing it as the future of education. Again, South Africans are leading the way in this area, with 91% seeing the opportunity for Artificial Intelligence (AI) and other innovations to make learning more engaging, followed by China (89%), and the US, UK and Europe.

• Lifelong learning is not just a philosophy, it’s the new reality: Globally, there is wide agreement that people need to keep learning throughout their career to stay up-to-date in their careers. This is a particularly strongly-held view in China (96%) and South Africa (94%), followed by 87% of Americans, who embrace lifelong learning and believe that learning doesn’t stop at school.

• Confidence in education systems is wavering: Most respondents think traditional educational institutions are failing to reach working adults with the skills they need for the future of their working lives. They also want to see governments doing more to make this kind of learning accessible to all. This is an especially pronounced view held in South Africa, where 68% of respondents feel that the education system is failing the current generation. This perception is equally strong in Hispano-America (71%) and Brazil (67%), followed by the US (60%).

• South Africans believe you need a traditional college education to be successful: While respondents from South Africa, China, India, Brazil, the Middle East and Hispano- America are more likely to see the value of a traditional college degree, those from the US, UK, Australia and Canada increasingly believe that you don’t need a college degree to succeed. In South Africa, 36% of people feel that a college degree is essential to achieving a successful and prosperous career, and another 31% believe that you need some college education to make a decent living.

• Vocational and trade schools are strong alternatives to a university degree: While many still value higher education, 68% of people globally agree that a degree or certificate from a vocational college or trade school is more likely to result in a good job with career prospects than a university degree. 82% of South Africans believe that a university or college degree gives you an advantage in getting a job, while 68% opt for vocational training.

• The traditional classroom is being turned upside down: The traditional, linear career path is a thing of the past, as education is anywhere, all the time; not just in traditional academic settings, and not just for young people. 63% of South Africans believe that the world is shifting to a model where people participate in education over a lifetime, compared to 59% in the US, 57% in the Middle East and 55% in the UK.

By embracing learners and taking note of their needs and perceptions, Pearson can help lead the growth of a new economy, as the advances of the 21st century are providing the greatest opportunity in history to improve lives through education.