Published on January 17th, 2020 | by Adrian Gunning
More than half of Aussie students rank IT and computer education as most important to their future career
New research, commissioned by Microsoft Store Australia, has highlighted the growing student demand for tech-based tools and skills in school. The research reveals that Aussie kids are excited to learn via advanced technology and are prioritising STEM-based education to get themselves ready for the jobs of the future.
Inspired by these findings, Microsoft Store has created a learning experience in store, offering students the chance to sample some of the subjects and teaching tools of the future through a series of workshops available in January.
In the lead up to Australian students heading back to the classroom, the research reveals that 65 per cent of students aged 10-16 years old in Australia have an interest in learning more STEM focused skills, like coding in school, with one in three students saying they are not taught this currently. Further to this, the research showcases Aussie kids value STEM based subjects as the most relevant to their jobs in the future, prioritising Computers (61%), IT (63%) and Science (57%) over traditionally preferred subjects, such as P.E (45%), English (51%) and Music (44%).
The research results also indicate that Aussie kids are excited about new learning tools and experiences in the classroom of the future. Twenty-one per cent of students say they would like more opportunities to learn outside of the physical classroom, forty-two per cent of students say they would like to interact more with classroom computers via touch screen, and twenty-seven per cent would like to be able to interact with computers via voice command.
During the January school holidays (19 – 24 January) Microsoft Store will offer students aged 8 – 15 years a taste of the school of the future through an engaging curriculum involving AR, AI and coding workshops, and kids and parents will be given a taste of the Australian school of the future.
Max Ferfoglia, Community Development Specialist at the flagship Microsoft Store in Sydney says, “We’re very excited that Aussie school kids are so interested in learning about new technologies in the school of the future. It’s even more exciting to be able to offer students the opportunity to trial technology and curriculums that they may not have hands-on experience in their school classes at the moment. By offering these workshops at Microsoft Store, we hope to inspire and empower children to feel confident and excited about the future of technology, ultimately inspiring them to pursue a career in the STEM industry.”
Register for the workshops here. For more information on other STEM related workshops available throughout the year at the flagship Microsoft Store in Sydney, please see the events page on the Microsoft Store website.