Issue 23: Do you prefer QWERTY?
Welcome to Backstory, a weekly newsletter turning global technology shifts into a three-minute read. With children heading back to the classroom, we are thinking about educational technology – Mary Ames, Director of Strategy
THE BIG TAKE
Do you prefer QWERTY?
Fall is upon us and that means the kids are going back to school. When many of us think back to those crisp autumn days and summer’s fleeting embrace, fresh school supplies come to mind. Backpacks full of empty notebooks and sharpened pencils jostle on our backs as a new educational year begins. The situation is a bit different today as backpacks are packed with fully charged iPads and cellphones.
Technology's embrace: The classroom of today is a connected and dynamic laboratory designed to shape young minds into tomorrow’s next innovator. The role of maths and the sciences are heavily weighted as data-driven learning helps educators provide the best quality education for future industries. Yet, traditional skills such as handwriting remain critical in the classroom. While we embrace technology, we can’t forget the importance of these skills in developing well-rounded children.
The human element: Curiously, the role of technology hasn’t overshadowed the role of teachers in the classroom. Yes, screens have a much more prominent place in classrooms but an iPad is never going to replace the care and attention of a human teacher. That’s one reason why Abu Dhabi just inducted thousands of new teachers. We are educating our students to be the guardians and innovators of the future. As we do so, we can’t lose sight of the critical role that teachers play in the development of our youth.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
“Technology is just a tool. In terms of getting the kids working together and motivating them, the teacher is the most important."
Bill Gates
OUR VIEWS THIS WEEK
Technology for good: It is easy to get gloomy about the role of technology in society. From data privacy scandals to hacks of iPhones, it can feel like the sector is going in the wrong direction. Amidst the daily deluge of negative headlines, we pause to look at the good that new technology is doing for society. We can embrace the challenges posed by our technological era while keeping our eyes open to the incredible solutions modern tools provide us.
Fresh approach: The Business Roundtable, one of the most influential private sector organisations in the US, updated its mission statementlast week. For the first time, the group, which includes the country’s leading CEOs, said that the wellbeing of workers, local communities, and suppliers should be part of the ultimate goal of a business. This week, we explored the implications of this shift and how wellness and health are starting to factor heavily in the global economy.
SPOTTED ELSEWHERE
Payments behemoth: We have been bullish about the global remittance sector for some time. The Financial Times delivered an incredible report about the size and structure of this growing sector. Global remittances are the largest source of capital inflow into developing economies and exceed $500bn annually. No wonder Facebook is trying to get a slice of the action.
Stifling innovation: The driverless car saga between Google and Uber spilt out into the open again last week as a former Google executive was indicted on charges that he stole secrets about Google’s Waymo project. The New Yorker went as far as to say the incident highlightshow innovation is stifled in Silicon Valley. That’s a big charge but a clear reminder of the many undercurrents in Silicon Valley that we know little about.