The 18-25 vote is significant for the general election. Young voters tend to neglect their right to vote, perhaps with the lack of education in schools surrounding politics and current affairs being a reason for this. But with key issues in every election increasingly relating to students and professionals aged 18-25, it's more important than ever to educate yourself on political issues and head to a polling station.
Student turnout in the EU referendum was 64%, much higher than that of previous general elections and almost double what they expected it to be... but it should be more. More than 9 out of 10 students (93%) who are entitled to vote have registered and most of them have said they plan to vote in next month's general election. This is just one step in the right direction.
A recent survey by the Higher Education Policy Institute (hepi) and YouthSite polled over 1000 full-time undergraduate students entitled to vote and over half said that they would vote for Labour if there was a general election tomorrow.
If you are looking at this graph thinking one of three things;
1. "I like the look of that",
2. "That needs to change",
3. "I don't even know what Labour's policies are",
then make sure you register to vote using the link below, research into political parties and your local election results and let your voice be heard.
The student vote is so important. It doesn't cost anything to vote and by choosing for your voice to be heard, it gives you the chance to challenge the young voter stereotype. People say you don't care about the elections... well, show them you do. The younger you are, the longer you'll have to live with the consequences of the election so; do your research, vote on 8 June and make your position as a young voter known.
As technological advances have adapted over the last few years and more ways of learning are constantly being developed, I've been reflecting on the progression of education and what the future of education may look like. As a soon-to-be teacher in training, the discussion about the future of teaching and education is something that interests me and is important to my future studies, due to it affecting how my teaching will adapt and change with any development.
Thank you. Children are 27% of the world's people but 100% of the future. We need them to make sense of the world. https://t.co/5cvGziYZgX
Technology advances are consistently changing and adapting to the needs of the user, something which is reflected in classrooms worldwide. Studies from Open Colleges AU showed that 81% of U.S teachers think tablets can enrich classroom learning and I believe the future of classrooms will see the introduction of iPads, tablets or computerised devices as a basic classroom stimulus in all schools.
Using technology in the classroom. Image from Flickr.
Virtual reality, apps and interactive screens are platforms that will aim to create learning experiences for children both in their home and school environments, something that is unavoidable and will enhance the learning experience for students. Another technological advance is the idea of accessing classrooms on home computers, a change that will help all schools and pupil's, especially with homework, assignments and if a pupil were to miss a day at school. I hope to see technology making its way into schools, in a way that is fully beneficial for pupil's and look forward to analysing the benefits of technology within the classroom.
EXPERIENCE
There has been much speculation recently surrounding the opinion of un-paid internships and whether working for free should be considered as appropriate. I personally believe that the idea of work experience and internships is great and allows students to practice their skills while learning more about the industry and meeting professionals.
"Get them involved with new experiences, ideas and surroundings"
Although internships and work experience are opportunities for students once they get to secondary school and higher education, I believe that experience should be taught from a young age. 'Take your children to work day" is a fun technique that some schools use to get their students interested in the work place and for younger students, spending time outside, on school trips and at forest schools allows their thoughts to flow and get them involved with new experiences, ideas and surroundings. Experience is something that I believe schools will encourage and will help their students to develop key skills.
PERSONALISED LEARNING
As teaching styles change and adapt to emerging technology and new curriculum, the way in which students learn will also begin to change. Personalised learning and individual learning plans are concepts that have always been considered within the classroom; above average students challenged with harder tasks and students who experience difficultly within a subject receiving one-on-one learning. Although this approach is something that has always been used, modern technology such as interactive games and virtual reality classrooms will result in positive, personalised experiences for students and ensure more understanding to the teacher of their students needs.
Primary school classroom display. Image from Flickr.
MENTORING
Peer mentoring and schemes such as Thrive have developed in schools over the last few years, acknowledging that individual support can be given to students and ensuring they are able to access their learning, as well as helping with emotional gaps in their development.
"Mentoring is an effective method for encouraging positivity, role-modelling and confidence"
I believe that in the future, all schools will introduce the approach of mentoring as an option for those students that need it. Encouraging positivity, role-modelling and confidence from a young age is something that is important to many schools and reflects in students' work, enthusiasm and throughout their relationships with other children and adults. Mentoring is just one method that can be used, but I believe, it is one of the most effective.
