Embracing the Fourth Industrial Revolution by Developing a More Relevant Educational Spectrum

摘要

The dawn of industrial revolution 4.0 requires the creation of a new educational spectrum that includes teaching and learning content, as well as educational theo-ries that are responsive and relevant to the post-Digital Age. This calls for a modification to seminal theories to enable a successful 21st-century era of teaching and learning. Using Information and Communication Technology devices such as digital projectors, slides, clickers; and smartboards are fairly outdated in the current education sector. The introduction of tablet personal computers and apps, together with learning and classroom management systems, has become a favored pedagogical tool. We have witnessed a global movement towards apps that has resulted in educators being encouraged to use tablets in innovative ways, to enhance the learning experience. The advantages of such innovation can only be realized when students are adept at using digital tools, and when educators integrate the tools meaningfully into their pedagogy. Industrial Revolution 4.0 is emphasizing the significance of computer programming, robotics, and data coding, which has prompted many education departments globally to introduce these fields into the early years of schooling. These fields produce skills that are not only relevant to the time that we live in but influence the future and economic growth of countries. It is crucial that these skills are developed and nurtured at the primary level. This chapter presents an ideal curriculum that spans two years and ignites a desire in students to use their tablet innovatively. It also explores some innovative pedagogic tools and techniques based on literature and personal experience, as well as provides ways to introduce abstract concepts like programming and robotics to novices. The approaches probed herein are from a South African context, with the focus on content characteristics, impact, and importance.