At the upcoming 20th Annual Conference of The Association of International Schools of India (TAISI) taking place on 7th to 9th November 2024, two significant announcements are expected to create a lasting impact on the Indian education landscape. Under the theme “Shaping Hyper-Connected, Future-Forward Schools,” the conference will introduce Education 4.0, an approach that integrates practical, new-age applications like AI, social media and emotional intelligence as part of education curriculum aimed at empowering school leaders and educators to align with the evolving demands of a technology-driven world. Additionally, the conference will mark the debut of the Australian Curriculum in India, offering an expanded and diverse educational framework that encourages adaptability, critical thinking, and comprehensive development.
In an example setting move, TAISI is redefining educational standards and expanding choices, empowering schools to meet the challenges of modern education head-on. The TAISI Conference 2024 will have 300+ international schools from India participating. In addition, there are participants from 10+ countries. The conference has curated 16 sessions with innovative formats featuring over 40 speakers. An advanced AI humanoid, Ria, will deliver the keynote on AI’s transformative impact on learning. Additionally, Mr. Sultan will unveil the calendar for the upcoming months, featuring exciting initiatives, including the introduction of TAISI International School Sports League (ISSL) and TAISI Esports Prix.
Syed Sultan Ahmed, Chairperson of TAISI, emphasized the importance of these initiatives, stating, “Integrating practical applications of AI and global curricula into our educational frameworks is essential in today’s world. These advancements go beyond exam preparation; they equip students with the skills needed to succeed in an increasingly interconnected environment. Importantly, students shouldn’t have to wait until college to gain these competencies. By introducing them at the school level, we ensure they are well-prepared to navigate the evolving demands of both education and the modern workforce.”
While sharing her views on ‘how does AI change education’, Kathleen Naglee, Education Futurist & Head of School at the International School of Helsinki shared, “As we start to embark towards this new era of education, the use of AI such as my digital twin ‘Katbot’ enables us to investigate how humans and learners emotionally engaged with specific educational activities. Especially, when there are such incredible opportunities in this space, the need of the hour is about how it is equally important to approach it with a sense of responsibility—being mindful of the ethical and emotional implications as we shape the future of education. The next generation of learners must be equipped with not only technical knowledge but also the resilience and empathy needed to navigate a rapidly changing world.”
Education 4.0: The Next Step in Practical, Technology-Driven Education
A key shift highlighted at the conference is the transition to Education 4.0, which incorporates Artificial Intelligence (AI), social media, and Emotional Intelligence into educator professional development. This shift equips teachers with essential tools to navigate a rapidly evolving educational landscape. The upcoming international workshops include Interactive sessions and will cover topics such as gamification, mental health support, and fostering inclusive classrooms, aiming to provide educators with actionable insights for student-centric teaching.
Unlike traditional learning methods that limit these topics to discussions and textbooks, the new approach emphasizes hands-on experiences. This experiential learning framework once implemented enables students to develop skills and digital fluency essential for real-world problem-solving and adaptability. By teaching the educators to incorporate practical applications into daily learning, schools can prepare students more effectively for the demands of higher education and the workforce, fostering critical thinking and proactive learning habits.
Debut of the Australian Curriculum
Another significant announcement is the introduction of the Australian Board curriculum through a collaboration between TAISI and the School Curriculum and Standards Authority, Western Australia. The scope of the initiative is projected to bring in an international perspective to the learners by allowing them access a wider range of reputable teaching methods and learning materials. Students acquiring the curriculum will also expand their avenues of becoming more competent and well-balanced individual while being better positioned to appreciate international issues and understand their relevance. Addressing the gathering on this is Hillary McGeachy, Australian Consul General, Bengaluru.
The 20th Annual TAISI Conference underscores the importance of evolving educational practices to meet modern challenges. Through practical, experience-based learning and exposure to global standards, these initiatives support a shift toward a more adaptive and comprehensive educational model that benefits students’ personal and academic growth.