CMYK: The Cross-Boundary Design for Learning by a Future Educational Syntax

Against the backdrop of global educational innovation, we present the third-year research outcomes of the “Future Learners Report.” Since its inaugural publication in 2022, this series of studies has progressively constructed a systematic framework for future learners and future education. The research initially focused on “The What” (the essence of future education) and “The Why” (its importance) by establishing theoretical foundations. It later advanced to “The How” by exploring practical implementation pathways, and now, in its third year, highlights comprehensive validation and iterative refi nement in real-world scenarios. This three-year exploration has not only established a closed loop between theory and practice but also charted a new educational paradigm to address uncertainties and the diversified futures of learning.

In 2022, Competence and Education of the Learner for the Future introduced the “Learner for the Future Competence Framework” (LFCF) and the “CMYK Future Education Syntax” (Competence—Method—Year—Knowledge) in a pioneering effort. This framework systematically outlined the critical dimensions of future education, offering robust theoretical support for learners’ core competences. It answered two fundamental questions: “What is the essence of future education?” and “Why is it so important?” These contributions laid a solid foundation for the fi eld of future education research.

In 2023, How CMYK Shapes the Future: Action for Nurturing the Learner for the Future marked a shift from theoretical exploration to practical implementation. Building on the CMYK Syntax, it developed Project Chain (PC) for cultivating reading ability, exploration ability, and aesthetic ability, alongside innovative mechanisms for generating Project Unit (PU), curriculum modules, and toolkits. This phase of research explored pathways for multi-scenario applications and validated the operational feasibility of CMYK Syntax as a dynamic educational system, raising the pivotal question:“How can future education be implemented?”

In 2024, this report leverages extensive real-world testing and feedback to iteratively refine the CMYK Syntax, enhancing its adaptability to diverse educational contexts. This iteration not only extends the boundaries of CMYK applications but also drives a paradigm shift in educational perspectives towards greater flexibility, diversity, and cross-boundary integration. It addresses the key question: “How can CMYK facilitate cross-boundary education?” Through multi-stakeholder collaboration and real-world validation, the report redefines the spatial and temporal dimensions of education, reshaping learning into a multidimensional and dynamically evolving collaborative network.

Explore the full report in Mandarin and English (scroll for English)