UAE Students Eager for Technological Learning, Expert Urges Forward-Thinking Education

According to Ted Purinton, the founding dean of Sharjah Education Academy, students in the UAE are eager to embrace technology in their learning journey. However, he points out that at times, adults tend to steer them towards more conventional approaches to education, potentially hindering their readiness for the 21st century.

Purinton, who will be addressing the topic of ‘The Artificial (but solvable) discontinuity between secondary and tertiary’ at the Global Educational Supplies and Solutions (GESS) event in Dubai, emphasizes that schools should focus not only on academics but also on shaping well-rounded individuals.

He highlights the need to reevaluate traditional disciplines in education, advocating for the introduction of fresh ideas and approaches in primary and secondary schools, as well as in early childhood education.

Purinton underlines the significance of a play-based approach in early education, emphasizing that while academic rigor is important, it may not always align with the developmental needs of three-, four-, or five-year-olds.