Reimagining Education Towards 2035

The future of education is undergoing a profound transformation, with implications that reach far beyond classroom walls into how we approach outdoor learning and youth development. Fresh McCrindle Research findings presented at "Reimagining Education Towards 2035" reveals fascinating paradoxes shaping today's educational landscape.

Despite our hyper-connected world, younger generations report unprecedented levels of loneliness and social anxiety. Students themselves acknowledge the negative impact of technology – 65% believe social media harms their mental health – yet 74% won't disconnect for fear of missing out. This digital dependency correlates with alarming school attendance challenges, with rates dropping to 85.9% for years 7-10 students. Two-thirds of parents struggle getting children to school, citing anxiety and lack of motivation as primary barriers.

The research identifies a critical tension between nurturing wellbeing and building resilience. While schools increasingly focus on student mental health, 63% of parents believe children need safe opportunities to experience failure to develop true resilience. This creates a perfect opening for outdoor educators who have long recognised that managed risk and challenge in natural settings provide ideal conditions for developing both.

Generation Alpha (born 2010-2024) emerges with contradictory characteristics – described as tech-savvy, intelligent and environmentally conscious, yet simultaneously anxious, entitled and lacking social skills. They'll enter a workforce requiring unprecedented adaptability, with predictions they'll hold 18 jobs across 6 careers in their lifetime.

For outdoor program providers, these findings represent tremendous opportunity. As education shifts toward flexibility and personalisation, outdoor experiences offer precisely what modern education requires – environments where students develop critical thinking, build genuine human connections, and cultivate resilience through meaningful challenge. Join us at the Outdoor Summit in July where we'll explore how our industry can address these emerging needs while shaping a future where outdoor learning plays a central role in education.

Chapters

• 0:00 Weekly Outdoor Industry Forum Introduction
• 6:00 Organization Updates and New Documents
• 12:10 National Parks Camping Fee Increases
• 18:02 TAFE Roping Skills Advocacy
• 26:30 Upcoming Events and Summit Preview
• 33:24 MacRindle Education Research Findings
• 41:02 Gen Alpha Characteristics and Challenges
• 47:10 Mental Health and School Attendance Issues