EDUCATION technology (edtech) experts emphasized at the CanvasCon Philippines 2024 the need for lifelong learning to prepare the Filipino workforce for the future. CanvasCon, held at the Grand Hyatt Manila in BGC, Taguig City, on September 6, is an annual event for the education community organized by Instructure, the learning ecosystem and maker of Canvas Learning Management System (LMS), a media release said. During his keynote speech, Martin Bean, CBE, professor at the University of New South Wales in Australia and CEO of The Bean Centre, cited the global challenges of skills mismatch, deficit and redundancy. Bean said advances in technology, particularly artificial intelligence (AI), render many job roles obsolete, so institutions must provide lifelong learning opportunities to ensure students and workers are equipped to navigate the ever-evolving job market. "Across the globe, including in the Philippines, the value of traditional university degrees is being questioned as technological innovation outpaces the relevance of existing qualifications. Embracing lifelong learning is essential to ensure individuals remain employable and competitive in this evolving landscape," the professor said in the media release. Significant job market shifts make the need for lifelong learning evident, with over 55 percent of roles expected to be impacted by AI in the coming years, according to Bean. "In a world where machines are automating many tasks, enduring human capabilities like critical thinking, creativity and emotional intelligence will stand out," he said. Meanwhile, during his presentation, Ryan Lufkin, vice president of Global Academic Strategy at Instructure, shared best practices and challenges in generative AI, and the role of data and analytics in educational technology or edtech. Lufkin said that while technology-enhanced learning is increasingly the norm, a sound pedagogical foundation is crucial for driving students' learning outcomes and ensuring success. He highlighted the importance of AI literacy among students. "The more we help overcome the fear of AI, the more empowered we become to embrace these tools. This helps develop a key skill in AI literacy, the ability to critically evaluate AI tools and understand which ones are appropriate for student needs," Lufkin said. Lufkin also showed data from the Digital Education Council Global AI Student Survey 2024 that 58 percent of students felt they lacked sufficient AI knowledge and skills. Furthermore, 72 percent agreed that universities should offer more courses on AI literacy, indicating a growing need for AI education in academic curricula. The conference featured speakers from universities that use Canvas LMS, including the University of Santo Tomas, De La Salle University, Ateneo de Manila University, University of the East, Holy Angel University, and CIIT College of Arts and Technology. Representatives from these higher learning institutions shared how they use Canvas LMS to enhance faculty development and tailor learning strategies to address the diverse needs of their students. Harrison Kelly, managing director for APAC at Instructure, concluded the conference by highlighting the vital role of edtech in providing educators with data-driven insights and ensuring students are aligned with the evolving global landscape. Visit www.instructure.com/en-au for more information.