The technological advances of the last twenty years have radically altered how we learn, work and live our daily lives. A high level of technical competence is necessary to function effectively in the twenty-first century. From logging onto online banking to tagging onto public transport, from social media to smartphones, everyday life would be much more difficult without a certain amount of technological know-how.
If this is the case, generally, the need for technological literacy is even more of a necessity in the classroom and the workplace, especially as these two spaces exist increasingly online. Technology is constantly evolving and, from an early age, young people need to develop digital fluency to have the skill set necessary to succeed in the modern workplace.
The Importance of STEM Skills
From introductory courses in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) to categories in Advanced Science and Information Technology, Alison offers a wide variety of courses in different subjects and at different levels aimed at better equipping future workforces for the jobs of tomorrow. (Some of our young STEM graduates start as early as seven years old!)
A recent briefing by the World Economic Forum noted that "the use of technology should be embedded across the educational experience, to mirror how technology is now relevant to all sectors and careers." The traditional classroom setting doesn't sufficiently prepare students for the connected workplaces where they'll be seeking employment. With so much work and business carried out online, it's important that students don't just learn about STEM subjects academically but that they experience them practically as part of their education. Online learning has an obvious edge over the competition.
Online Publishing Skills
Alison is committed to upskilling young people by encouraging and teaching computer literacy. And we don't just do this through the courses we offer. The Alison Self-Publishing Tool allows our learners to create and publish their own online courses through our platform. Our courses on E-Learning Theory and Practice and the Alison Publisher Tool Training Course provide our learners with everything they need to know about online publishing. The Self-Publishing Tool allows them to gain hands-on experience and enhance their technical skills by building their own course with guidance from our experts.
Equal Opportunities
Recent employment projections by the US Department of Labor have outlined that STEM skills will be crucial to gain employment in the twenty sectors expected to grow the fastest over the next ten years. At Alison, we don't just recognise the importance of STEM skills. We are committed to making quality courses in these areas available to young people worldwide and at no cost. As STEM skills become increasingly indispensable across a wider range of jobs, these skills must be made as accessible as possible to guarantee access to quality jobs to young people everywhere, regardless of where they're from or their socio-economic background.
The WEF educational briefing also mentions that "girls and women are particularly underrepresented within high value-added STEM disciplines, and it is crucial to find ways to increase their presence." At Alison, we count inclusivity among our core values. We are inspired by the UN Declaration that “everyone is entitled to a free education”, and we are committed to access to education irrespective of gender, geography, economic status or any other barriers to access.
