Understand. Anticipate. Prepare. Embrace.

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Futures consciousness is the human capacity to understand, anticipate, prepare for, and embrace the future. When integrating futures thinking in the classroom, it's important to assess and measure how futures consciousness evolves and change over time as a result of students’ learning experiences.

 

Teach the Future is a global non profit whose mission is to prepare students for tomorrow teaching them about the future today. We offers futures literacy curriculum and training for schools and educators so we can begin imagining possibilities today to ensure we will make better choices for tomorrow.

 

When integrating futures thinking in the classroom, it is important to assess and measure how students' futures consciousness evolves and changes over time because of their learning experiences. Teach the Future in partnership with researchers at the Finland Futures Research Centre (University of Turku) and University of Geneva have developed a youth version of the already published Futures Consciousness Scale for adults.

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The FCS for Youth is most effective if used per class or workshop of similar-age learners. The FCS for Youth can be done before starting futures literacy lessons to establish a baseline understanding of the learning. Once completed, the educator will receive a report with the learners’ results. At the end of the futures literacy lessons and activities, educators might choose to do the FCS for Youth again, to test the learners’ understanding of futures literacy. 

 

Background to the Future Consciousness Scale

Source: https://futuresconsciousness.utu.fi/research-team/ 

“The journey of the futures consciousness scale began when Sanna Ahvenharju, Matti Minkkinen and Titta Tapiola, from Finland Futures Research Centre, met at a post-graduate futures studies course, organised by the Finland Futures Academy, where the tasks included writing an article together. Sanna had come up with the idea of measuring futures consciousness because she was interested in examining futures consciousness of influencers in the context of promoting sustainable consumption. Enrico Wensing, from the University of Columbia, was acting as a tutor on the course, and he connected the Finns with Fanny Lalot, a social psychologist, at the time working at the University of Geneva.
 

The project quickly grew into much more than a single article for a post-graduate course. Many intense debates, and various drafts over a couple of years eventually led to an agreement on the content and presentation of the five-dimensional model of futures consciousness and the approach on how to measure them. Alain Quiamzade, from the University of Geneva, provided vital help in deepening the psychological understanding of the five futures consciousness dimensions as dispositions and abilities.”

What does the FCS measure? 

The FCS measures five dimensions of futures consciousness. 

1. Time perspective:  Understanding the past, present and future (long-term perspective) and rewards. 

2. Agency beliefs: One’s beliefs about the future and ability to influence future events. 

3. Systems Perspectives: Seeing and understanding the interconnectedness between human and natural systems, and the consequences of our actions. 

4. Concern for others: Understanding the interdependence between everyone on Earth, and motivation to improve the lives of others. 

5. Openness to Alternatives: Ability to question beliefs, and evaluate alternatives and future possibilities. For more information on the Five dimensions of futures consciousness: https://futuresconsciousness.utu.fi/scientific-basis/ 

The FCS for Youth was developed in partnership with Finland Futures Research Centre (University of Turku) and University of Geneva. 

 

The FCS for Youth helps to Track Your Students' Journey 

✓ Establish baseline understanding before starting futures literacy lessons

✓ Monitor progress throughout the learning experience 

✓ Compare before-and-after results 

✓ Measure growth in futures thinking capabilities

 

How It Works:

1. Pre-Assessment: Test your class before starting futures literacy lessons

2. Receive Your Initial Report: Get insights into your students' baseline understanding

3. Complete the Video Series: Guide students through the learning journey

4. Post-Assessment: Measure their growth

5. Compare Results: Receive a second report showing their development

 

Maximize the Learning Impact:

• Perfect for entire classes or for workshops

• Establishes clear learning outcomes

• Demonstrates program effectiveness

• Helps guide further instruction

 

The Teach the Future process: 

• Educators complete application form and return to Teach the Future. 

• Application is assessed and approved, or further information is requested

• Complete the consent forms and return to Teach the Future. 

 

Accessing the FCS for Youth

The FCS for Youth is FREE. 
 

Contact us for more information about the FCS.  

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Fill in the form below and we will send you the relevant application forms.