The conversation no longer should be about the world our students will enter. Rather, it needs to be about the new world we awake to each day. The telephone, radio, airplane all impacted the world. The ability to connect in new ways. Next was the internet. Now, not only connection but the quickened pace and high rate of change is mainly because of new technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI) and automation. Changes that are not just happening in some jobs; they are impacting nearly every job. The skills needed for jobs are changing too. More than one-third of the top 20 skills needed for the average job have changed since 2016, and one in five skills is completely new.  Long gone are the days of simply reading, writing, and arithmetic. According to World Economic Forum, Future of Jobs Survey, 2024, the top three skills predicted to be in demand between 2025 and 2030 are AI and big data, networks & cybersecurity, and technological literacy.

Worldwide, in 1900 only one person in a hundred studied post secondary. A century later, the ratio was one in five people. Seemingly the path was clear: go to school, get a degree, get a job, and possibly keep that job for life. Education resembled a “factory,” physical buildings and set times. A linear, fixed approach. The institution, as most of us have known it.  However, it is now shifting. And needs too! If we are to keep up with the demands of the modern world.

Moving Towards a New Way of Learning

We are transitioning to what’s being called the new learning economy. Author Jeffrey Selingo says it best, “No matter what, it’s clear that education rather than be an iterative approach early in life is becoming more akin to streaming entertainment: it’s always on, and in the case of education, it will be lifelong.” A few ways the  learning economy is fundamentally different than the traditional approach includes:

• It’s about the individual learner: Instead of being centered on the school or college, the focus is on each student’s needs and path. Individualized learning is becoming highly valued.
• Learning is flexible: It will happen in various ways and places, not just in a classroom at a set time. Think about how your students consume entertainment like TV or movies now – they can watch it whenever and however they want (streaming). Students want that same flexibility in learning – they want to learn in person, online, or a mix of both (hybrid). This flexibility allows students to balance learning with other important things like work or gaining experience.
• Focus is on what you learn: The measure of learning is shifting from how much time you spend (like traditional credit hours, which were compared to “shelf space” in old TV schedules) to whether you have mastered the material. The time it takes might vary for different students.
• Learning is lifelong: The idea of a single degree setting you up for life is less common. The new learning economy offers continuous learning, where people can dip into education when they need new skills for different jobs or careers throughout their lives.

Sidebar: In 2021, I began teaching for Global Online Academy and have not looked back. All three tenants above have factored into my favorable experience. 

This shift towards new ways of learning brings us to a core question: what matters more in this new learning economy—degrees or skills?

Why Skills are More Important Than Ever

In this revolutionizing world, just having a degree is no longer enough. While employers still value a degree as a sign of discipline, what they are beginning to value most is if a candidate has the specific skills required for the job. We are seeing a movement away from what is known. It’s more about what a person can do. For example, in 2024, Microsoft and LinkedIn looked at how AI will reshape work and the labor market broadly, surveying 31,000 people across 31 countries. One of their findings was that leaders are more likely to hire a less experienced candidate with AI skills than a more experienced one without them.AI skills are increasingly important, however in a broader sense, there are two main types of skills to focus on:

1. Foundational Skills: These are broad skills needed in many jobs. Beyond just communication and teamwork, they include human skills, basic digital skills, and business skills. Developing these skills across different areas can help people earn more and move between jobs more easily. Skills like navigating ambiguity and doing things you weren’t specifically asked to do are becoming necessary for everyone, not just certain jobs like journalism. Problem-solving is also a critical human skill.
2. Specialized Skills: These are skills specific to certain jobs or industries. Knowing how to use particular software (like Tableau, Adobe, or Salesforce) or having skills like data visualization or analytics can lead to significantly higher salaries. Employers are actively seeking these precise skills. One example is of a graduate who had trouble getting a job even with multiple degrees from a prestigious institution, but earning certificates in Salesforce skills was “critical” to landing a job.

Embedding both foundational and specialized skills into education is a key way institutions can help students succeed.

What This Means for K-12

Our students are growing up in this new learning economy. And they will work in it. My students from just a few years ago already are! While K-12 structures have unique considerations, the underlying trends suggest a need to prepare students for the future by helping them build key skills like problem-solving, communication, and digital literacy, while also encouraging them to manage uncertainty. Since students will likely learn in flexible and online ways throughout life, it’s important to teach time management and independence. This I have definitely seen in working with grade 12 students in yearlong Capstone projects. Instead of rushing through content, we stand to gain a tremendous amount when we focus on true understanding and mastery. This requires us teachers (and students too!), to recognize that learning does not stop after school. Consider how AI might support personalized learning, and remember that K-12 is a crucial part of the entire learning ecosystem that connects to college and the working world.

The need for education globally is immense. Preparing students for this future by emphasizing flexibility and building essential skills is a significant opportunity and challenge. It’s about helping individuals succeed in a constantly changing world. Organizations like Global Online Academy (GOA), which is a nonprofit founded and run by educators and focuses on learner-centered, modern practices and skills, is but one example of what this new approach can look like. 

Educators, schools, and policymakers must not wait any longer to sit comfortably (or uncomfortably) in the status quo. Act with purpose is imperative—reimagining what, where, and how we teach—to ensure students thrive in a world where change is constant and learning never stops. A world where systems not only allow for autonomy and flexibility but encourage it. A whole new world might be imagined, one of bold invitation, instead of dogged compliance. 

Students are ready for it.

And the world won’t wait.

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