Social Changes and

Challenges Brought by the

4th Industrial Revolution
 The concept of Fourth Industrial Revolution, according to
Davis (2016) builds on the Digital Revolution with cyber-
physical systems providing new mechanisms and allowing
technology to be embedded within societies and even the
human body. It is marked by emerging technology
breakthroughs in a number of fields including robotics,
artificial intelligence, nanotechnology, quantum
computing, biotechnology, internet of things, 3D printing
and autonomous vehicles (Bernard et al. 2016).
 Schwab (2016) describes how the 4th Industrial Revolution is
fundamentally different from the previous three industrial revolutions.
Accordingly, these new and emerging technologies have great potential
to continue to connect billions more people to the web, drastically
improve the efficiency of business and organizations, and help regenerate
the natural environment through better asset management. We are facing
a world transformed by technology, in which the Internet, cloud
computing, and social media create different opportunities and challenges
in all social institutions and particularly for the global education systems.
Bernard (2016) posits that the 4th Industrial Revolution provides various
opportunities to improve human communication and conflict resolution.
 The Fourth Industrial Revolution brought significant social transformation that created a new world
economy characterized by:
 a. Wider Employment Opportunities

 b. Demand for Quality, Competitive and Flexible Workers

 c. Globalization

 d. Millennial Workforce

 e. Mobility

 f. Technological Advancement

 g. New Behaviors
 The 4th Industrial Revolution calls for the educational system
to develop graduates who are equipped with knowledge and
new skills and prepared for responding to the various social
challenges that may come. In order to produce qualified
graduates, the Curriculum needs a new orientation. The old
literacies (reading, writing and math), have to be
strengthened as well as by adding the new and emerging
literacies, to produce qualified human who can thrive in
digital era. Education should adjust itself to different social
challenges and demands.
 There are three literation that needs to be developed to prepare
graduates for this 4th Industrial Revolution:
 Data Literation - the ability to read, to analyze, and to use information in the
digital world.
 Technology Literation - The ability to understand mechanical (system) work, to
use the application of technology like (Coding, Artificial Intelligence, &
Engineering Principles).
 Human Literation - Humanities, Communication, and Design. This calls for
development of leadership skills, social competence, collaboration and teamwork,
professionalism, and new sets of values to be developed among students.
 The school or the education system cannot isolate itself from the demands and needs of the
changing society. Schools and the education system should be at the forefront of these
social changes. People should see schools as innovation hubs to solve human and social
issues. Schools should ignite peoples' imagination to be more creative and innovative in
creating a desired future for all the people.

 With the changes and challenges of the 4th Industrial Revolution, schools need to revisit
their academic programs and focus on what are essentials skills that need to be learned for
human beings to become productive and enjoy the fullness of life. The World Economic
Forum in 2016 identified examples of these skills:
 Complex Problem
 Solving innovation Skills
 Critical thinking
 Creativity
 People management
 Collaboration
 Emotional Quotient
 Decision making
 Negotiation skills
 Entrepreneurship
 Cognitive fluency