21’ST CENTURY SCHOOLS

Schools in the 21st Century focus on the project-based curriculum for life that would
engage students in addressing real-world problems and humanity concerns and issues

21st Century Pedagogues

Characteristics of a 21st-CenturyTeacher
by Tsisana Palmer (2015)
1. Learner-centered classroom and personalized instruction:
Students have access to any information, there is no need to spoon-feed them
knowledge. When they are allowed to make their own choices, they own their
learning, increase intrinsic motivation, and put in more effort—an ideal recipe for
better learning outcomes.
2. Students as producers: Even students are now viewed as digital natives, many do
not produce any digital content. They own expensive devices with capabilities to
produce blogs, infographics, books, how-to videos, and tutorials, just to name a few,
but in many classes, they are still asked to turn those devices off and work with
handouts and worksheets
3. Learn new technologies: In order to be able to offer students choices, having one’s
own hands-on experience and expertise will be useful. Since technology
keeps developing, learning a tool once and for all is not an option.The good news is
that new technologies are new for the novice and experienced teachers.
4. Go global: Today’s tools make it possible to learn about other countries and people
firsthand. Of course, textbooks are still sufficient, yet there’s nothing like learning
languages, cultures, and communication skills by actually talking to people from other
parts of the world.Teaching students how to use their gadgets in their hands to visit at
least virtually any part of the globe will make us more knowledgeable, appreciative
and respectful.
5. Blog: See the value of writing for real audience and establishing digital
presence.To blog or not to blog should not be a question any more.
6. Collaborate: Technology allows collaboration between teachers and students.
Creating digital resources, presentations, and projects together with other faculty and
students will make classroom activities resemble the real world. Many great ideas
never go beyond a conversation or paper copy, collaboration globally can make
meaningful learning experiences
7. Innovate. Teaching with social media or replacing textbooks with web resources is
another way for innovation. Students love to use Messenger,Twitter,
Google forms for research and they become more productive and more interesting in
using them.

21ST CENTURY CURRICULUM

has critical attributes that are interdisciplinary, project-based, and research driven. It
was connected to local, national and global communities, in which students may
collaborate with people around the world in various projects. The curriculum also
integrates higher-order thinking skills, multiple intelligences, technology and
multimedia, multiple literacies and authentic assessments, including service- learning.

21ST CENTURY ENVIRONMENT

Typically, a 21st-century classroom was not confined to a literal classroom building
but a learning environment where students collaborate with their peers, exchange
insights, coach and mentor one another and share talents and skills with other
students. Cooperative learning is also apparent in which students work in teams
because cooperation is given more emphasis than the competition, and collaborative
learning more than isolated learning. They use technologies, including Internet
systems and other platforms.

TECHNOLOGY INTHE 21ST CENTURY PEDAGOGY

21st-century learning recognizes full access to technology.Therefore, a better
bandwidth of Wi-Fi access should be made available. Various laboratories and
learning centers were set up to allow a space needed for students’ simulation and
manipulative works.All classrooms should have televisions to watch the broadcasts
created by the school and other schools around. Students can also utilize other
resources in the school in creating opportunities for their knowledge exploration.

UNDERSTANDINGTHE 21ST CENTURY

LEARNERS.
Today’s students are referred to as “digital natives,” while educators as “digital
immigrants” (Prensky, 2001). Most likely, digital natives usually react, are random,
holistic, and non-linear.Their pre- dominant senses are motion and touch.They learn
through experience and learn differently. Digital immigrants often reflect, are
sequential and linear.Their predominant senses are hearing and seeing.They tend to
intellectualize and believe that learning is constant. (Hawkins and Graham, 1994).
21ST CENTURY SKILLS OUTCOME ANDTHE
DEMANDS INTHE JOB MARKET.

The 21st-century skills are a set of abilities that students need to develop to succeed in
the information age.The Partnership for 21st Century Skills lists three types, namely:
(1) Learning Skills which compromise critical thinking, creative thinking,
collaborating, and communicating; (2) Literacy Skills which composed of information
literacy, media literacy, technology literacy; and (3) Life Skills that include flexibility,
initiative, social skills, productivity, and leadership.These skills have always been
essential in an information-based economy

THE 21ST CENTURY LEARNING IMPLICATIONS.

21st-century skills is viewed as relevant to all academic areas, and the skills may be
taught in a wide variety of both in-campus and community settings.

A PARADIGM SHIFT FOR 21ST CENTURY EDUCATION