Adobe has released its “Gen Z in the Classroom: Creating the Future” study that has found Aussie Zs (those born after 2000) are feeling unprepared for the unpredictable workplace of the future and want a greater focus on creativity and hands-on learning in the classroom.

You can read the study in full here.

The study found Australian students and teachers are unified in feeling that Gen Z learn best by creating and through hands-on experiences, with 74 percent of Gen Z students and 80 percent of their teachers agreeing.

However, both Gen Z students and their teachers wish there was more of a focus on creativity in the classroom, and believe Gen Z are not prepared for the workforce, with 91 per cent of students feeling unprepared or only somewhat prepared and 95 percent of teachers reflecting this sentiment.

Major findings of the study included:

• 74 per cent of students and 80 percent of teachers believe Gen Z learns best by creating and hands-on experiences
• 91 per cent of students feel unprepared or only somewhat prepared for the real world, and 95 per cent of teachers agree
• 79 per cent of students and 71 percent of teachers wish there was more of a focus on creativity in the classroom
• 62 per cent of teachers want more opportunities for hands-on learning in the classroom
• 98 per cent of teachers feel their students will have careers that do not exist today
• 78 per cent of students and 93 per cent of teachers see creativity as essential to students’ future careers
• 93 per cent of students and 78 per cent of teachers view technology as key to their career preparedness
• 87 per cent of students believe their future careers will involve creating, and 93 per cent of teachers agree
• 52 per cent of students feel excited about their future, and 49 per cent feel nervous
• 78 per cent of teachers believe they need better tools to help prepare Gen Z for the future workforce
• 44 per cent of teachers believe their current school’s technology is outdated

“Both Generation Z students and their teachers agree they learn best through creating and hands-on experiences,” said Michael Stoddart, director of market development and evangelism, Adobe. “With the current curriculum focusing on content-based education models, students feel they are not being adequately prepared for the workforce. Educators need to offer creative outlets for their students so that they can explore creativity and develop the innovative skills the future workforce needs.”

Over three quarters of Australia’s educators teaching Gen Z believe they need better tools to help prepare their students, 44 percent believe their school’s technology is outdated, while 71 percent of teachers wish their classes had a greater focus on creativity, as this would help prepare students for the future workforce.

The study was conducted as an online survey among n=505 Gen Z students (ages 11-17) nationwide Australia and n=200 teachers of Gen Z students (ages 11-17) nationwide Australia between September 26 – October 6, 2017.