The future of education: Five big changes ahead for teaching in Australia

The future of education: Five big changes ahead for teaching in Australia

The past few years have seen major technological advancements in education, from virtual classrooms to augmented learning. But what’s it all mean for the future of education?

The past few years have seen major technological advancements in education, from virtual classrooms to augmented learning. But what’s it all mean for the future of education?

The past few years have seen major technological advancements in education, from virtual classrooms to augmented learning. But what’s it all mean for the future of education?

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Teaching in Australia is ripe with potential. Jobs in teaching have been increasing exponentially, in fact jobs in teaching are expected to increase by 118,600 by 20251.   

To help you understand the changes that are affecting teaching in Australia and give you glimpse of what’s on the horizon, we pulled together five key ways education is set to change in the near future. 

Two RMIT education students in a classroom with a primary school student

1. The future of education is connection and collaboration

Teaching in Australia is beginning to become more digitally connected and innovative as new ways of learning change the devices and technology used in the classroom. Emerging technology such as virtual and augmented reality are already introducing new ways of exploring education. 

The concept of a teacher standing in front of a room full of students who listen and respond to direction is increasingly a thing of the past, according to RMIT School of Education Professor Tricia McLaughlin. 

While not an entirely new approach, student learning spaces will supercede the typical classroom that we know today. This will see students become partners or co-creators of their own learning.  

“Experiences that allow collaboration, communication and teamwork for all students often happen beyond classroom walls. We need to facilitate for these experiences in context, and our classrooms need to be a reflection of this,” McLaughlin says. 

They will be set up to allow collaboration to occur on learning projects between individuals, small groups or larger groups. 

2. Teacher shortage creating education opportunities

The growing shortage of secondary teachers in recent years has led the Victorian Government to roll out support for the training of future educators. 

After promising cuts to the study costs of education courses, the Government said it will also contribute to a $229.8 million drive to grow the school workforce over the next few years2. 

In addition to creating opportunities for future education students, the teacher shortage represents an exciting market for graduates. Across Australia, roles for teachers are predicted to increase by 9.4% by 2025, and with 3,554 teaching roles available across Australia in 2023, this field holds significant potential for those looking to build a career in teaching3. 

Now is the perfect time to take advantage of the growing demand for teachers across Australia with RMIT’s education courses. 

If you’re looking to gain the foundational knowledge to start working as a teacher, the Bachelor of Education might be right for you. If you have a background in a certain field already and are looking to gain the expertise to teach it, you should check out the Master of Education. 

3. New education scholarships are supporting teachers in training

As part of the Victorian Government’s commitment to supporting jobs in teaching, a new scholarship has been announced for students commencing a uni course to study secondary school teaching. The ‘Victorian Government ITE scholarship’ gives eligible undergraduate students approximately $18,000 across their studies4. There is also a postgraduate version of the scholarship that gives eligible students approximately $9,000.  

You are eligible to receive a Victorian Government ITE scholarship if: 

  • You are enrolled in an education course 
  • Your education course enables you to teach secondary education 
  • Your institution is a VIT-accredited institution (which RMIT is!) 
  • You’re an Australian citizen, an Australian permanent resident, or a New Zealand citizen living in Victoria 

Remember: this scholarship is specific to secondary education degrees, such as the Bachelor of Education and the Master of Teaching Practice (Secondary Education).  

If you’re planning on studying the Master of Teaching Practice (Secondary Education) you should also know about the Teach Tomorrow scholarship which provides eligible students with $15,000 while they study for the first 6-12 months.  

If you’re interested in an education scholarship but aren’t planning on studying a secondary education course, there are other scholarships you might be eligible for at RMIT. 

RMIT education student helping a primary school student

4. A learner-first approach is driving customised education

Alongside our changing notions of what constitutes a classroom, our ideas about the way teaching is delivered will also reshape. 

“Most professions treat each individual’s case differently – each patient of a doctor has individualised treatment plans. Education should be no different,” McLaughlin says. 

With new teaching methods becoming more common, the older ‘one model of teaching and learning fits all’ is being phased out. Teachers are becoming facilitators of learning and students are having more control of their learning journey. 

“In the past, all children did the same work regardless of ability or skills. We now know that this contributes to disengagement, misbehaviour and poor outcomes,” she says. 

As a result, teachers have individualised learning plans for students, which has enabled each student to learn at a pace that best suits their abilities and to engage with content that is most beneficial to them. 

Personalised and engaging teaching practices are at the heart of RMIT’s Education courses. Through hands-on learning in real-world classrooms and specialised teaching models, RMIT Education students are being given the tools to guide young minds with personalised learning. 

5. The educators of the future are dynamic

Curriculum teaching and learning already extends well beyond the classroom and will continue to do so, and as education changes to suit the future’s needs, jobs in teaching are growing and presenting teachers with more opportunities to expand their skillsets. This means that educators are being empowered with the ability to seize new opportunities and ways of teaching. 

In light of a shift towards a more personalised learner experience, teachers of the future can pick up many skill sets that will enhance and inform their teaching. Personalised teaching and working with next-gen technology in the classroom is allowing the educators of tomorrow to gain skills as data collectors, analysts, planners, collaborators, curriculum experts, synthesizers, problem-solvers and researchers. 

 

Story: Jacob Johnston

 

1Australia Government. ‘Labour Market Insights: Education and Training’. Accessed 27 September 2023. https://labourmarketinsights.gov.au/industries/industry-details?industryCode=P.   

2 ABC News. ‘Victorian government offers free secondary teaching degrees to tackle teacher shortage’. Accessed 27 September 2023. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-09-12/victoria-free-secondary-teaching-degrees/102844100. 

3 Seek. ‘Career Advice - Teacher’. Accessed 27 September 2023. https://www.seek.com.au/career-advice/role/teacher. 

4Victorian Government. ‘Scholarships for secondary teaching degrees’. Accessed 27 September 2023. https://www.vic.gov.au/scholarships-secondary-teaching-degrees.  

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Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Luwaytini' by Mark Cleaver, Palawa.

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aboriginal flag
torres strait flag

Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business.

More information