Module 1

21ST CENTURY LITERACIES :

NATURE , CONCEPTS AND ATTRIBUTES

By
Dr. Narcisa R. Figuerres
Professor

January 2024

MODULE 1
 21ST CENTURY LITERACIES :
NATURE , CONCEPTS AND ATTRIBUTES

I. INTRODUCTION
Global economies , new technologies and exponential growth in
information are transforming our society. As new technologies shape
literacies , they bring opportunities for teachers at all levels to foster
reading , writing , computing in more diverse and participatory
contexts. With the wealth of information that can be easily accessed
through various media – the internet , TV , radio , printed materials ,
formal and informal instruction – how do we guide our students in
learning skills or competencies that have great use for them to adjust to
the demands of the 21st century? SEAMEO-INNOTECH stressed that
as a 21st century teacher , you must be familiar with the new literacies
or new areas of learning , that you have to emphasize and prioritize
when handling teaching and learning activities.

This module presents the concepts , nature , and critical attributes of

the 21st century literacies . Read on and reflect on some of the
experiences you have had in school to match it with the nature ,
concepts and attributes of the 21st century literacies.

II. LEARNING OUTCOMES

After completing this Module , pre-service teachers should be able to:
1. gain deeper understanding of the concepts and nature of 21 st
century literacies;
2. differentiate between the basic concepts of traditional and 21 st
century literacies and skills ;
3. identify the features and critical attributes of the 21 st century
education ; and
4. accomplish the different learning tasks relative to the topic.

III. TOPICS AND KEY CONCEPTS

Having set out our learning outcomes , let us now proceed with the
discussion of the topics under consideration. In this part of the
Module , we shall explore the nature , concepts and critical attributes
of the 21st century literacies/education

A. DESCRIPTION OF 21st CENTURY LITERACIES

Do you know what literacies are required for the 21 st century? Read
the discussion that follows in order to learn what these 21 st literacies
are.

The Seven 21st Century Description

Literacies

1. The Arts and This literacy can be manifested

Creativity in creative ways of problem-
solving and expressed through
the production of various art
works. Teachers and students
need to be more adept in the arts
and manifest creativity in various
activities.

2. Ecoliteracy This entails acquiring knowledge

about climate change , pollution ,
loss of natural habitats and
biodiversity as well as the
impacts of environmental
problems on human lives.
Moreover , solutions on how
these environmental problems
could be addressed must also be
practiced. Teachers and students
need to develop awareness of the
environment.

3. Cyberliteracy This competency is based on the

Digital Literacy reality that societies and
 Information and ICT workplaces have now become
Knowledge more information-driven.
Workplaces of the 21st century
rely heavily on electronic
(digital) forms of data storage
and management as well as in
the area of communication.
Teachers and students need to
develop familiarity and skills in
the use of computers , the
internet and other information
technologies.

4. Financial Literacy Teachers and students are

expected to be knowledgeable
about the basics of economics
and financial management. This
way , you as a teacher , can
extend the skill into livelihood
activities , entrepreneurship and
wise handling of personal
finances.

5. Media Literacy Teachers and students are

expected to be knowledgeable
and skilled in the area of
communications particularly the
media. Teachers and students
must learn how to discern news
and information based on the
form and content as to how these
information are transmitted via
various forms of media.

6. Social/Emotional The teacher and the students

 Literacies need to acquire social skills that
are attuned to the norms of our
current society. Emotional
Intelligence must also be
developed to be able to
effectively manage the stress of
a fast – paced 21st century
society.

7. Globalization and The teacher and students need to

Multicultural develop a culture of respect for
Literacy cultural diversity. There is value
in having a perspective as a
global citizen whose local
actions can have an impact on
the wider global arena. You also
have to understand how world
events may also affect you and
your community at the local
level.

(Source : Gearing Up Responsible and Outstanding Teachers in

Southeast Asia for the 21st Century – GURO21)

B. THE CRITICAL ATTRIBUTES OF THE 21 st CENTURY

EDUCATION
1. The world of teachers and students is expected to continue to
change dramatically throughout the 21st century and beyond.
There is a paradigm shift in the way teaching and learning is
delivered. As a 21st century teacher , you need to develop
essential knowledge , skills , attitudes and values to be able to
cope with these changes and to help students address them as
well.
2. According to the 21st century Schools (2011) , there are eight (8)
attributes of the 21st century education. Read on and learn more
about each of these attributes in greater detail.
Eight (8) Attributes of Description
21st Century Education

1. Integrated and Nowadays , knowledge is no longer

Interdisciplinary distinctly divided into clear cut
learning chunks or separate subjects.
Education in the 21st century is
characterized by linkages among
various subject areas in an integrated
manner. The new approach promotes
the utilization of learning from various
disciplines.

This critical attribute implies that

teachers need to review the school
curriculum and identify strategies or
ways on how different subjects can be
effectively linked to enhance the
learning experiences of students.

2. Technologies and Education in the 21st century makes

Multimedia full use of available Information
and Communication technology
(ICT) as well as multimedia. The
ability to find, evaluate , utilize and
create information using
technologies and multimedia or
digital technology in general is
referred to as digital literacy.

As a teacher , some of your day-to-

day activities (writing reports ,
creating multimedia presentations
and communicating or exchanging
information with your colleagues
and students online ) require
different levels of digital literacy.
 As such , it is important for you to
develop your digital literacy skills
so that you can in turn pass these on
to your learners.

This critical attribute implies that

your school will need to acquire and
use computers and various
multimedia equipment to enhance
learning to the best extent possible.
Training is also needed for teacher-
users as part of a bigger
“technology plan”.

3. Global Classrooms Education in the 21st century aims

to produce global citizens by
exposing students to the concerns of
the region and other countries. They
are encouraged to react and respond
to issues as part of their roles as
global citizens.

This critical attribute implies that

teachers need to include current
global issues/concerns such as
peace and respect for cultural
diversity , climate change and
global warming in classroom
discussions.

4. Creating/Adapting to Education in the 21st century

Constant Personal subscribes to the belief that learning
and Social Change does not only happen inside the
and Lifelong learning school and during one’s schooling
years. Learning can take place
anywhere , anytime regarding of
one’s age.
 Learning should take place not only
for the purpose of passing exams ,
but also for transferring knowledge
to real life situations. The
curriculum should be planned in
such a way that the students will
continue to learn even outside the
school’s portals.

5. Student-Centered Education in the 21st century is

focused on students as learners. It is
tailor-fit to address the individual
learning needs of each student.
Differentiated instruction is common
in 21st century classrooms , where
diverse student factors are taken into
account when planning and
delivering instruction. You as a
teacher , can structure learning
environments that address the variety
of learning styles , interests , needs
and abilities found in your
classroom.

This critical attribute implies that

teachers should act as facilitators of
learning – not as “sages on the stage”
but as “guides on the side”. Learners
should be given opportunities to
discover new knowledge , learn with
one another , and create their own
learnings.

6. 21st Century Skills Education in the 21st century

promotes the skills needed to be
productive members of today’s
 society. It is not enough for students
to learn the basic skills of reading ,
writing and numeracy , but should
develop in themselves skills that
would help them cope with life and
work in 21st century communities.
These skills include , among others ,
critical and creative thinking skills ,
problem solving and decision
making , and ICT literacy and skills.
As a teacher , you are expected to
possess these 21st century skills
before you can help your students
develop these skills.

7. Project-Based and Among the critical attributes of 21st

Research-Driven century education is the emphasis on
data , information and evidence-
based decision making. It relies
heavily on student-driven activities
to encourage active learning. This
implies that teachers of the 21 st
century need to be knowledgeable
about research to guide their
students’ learning through self-
directed activities such as learning
projects within and outside their
classrooms. Investigatory projects
showcased in many science fairs
across Southeast Asia and in the
world are examples of research-
based activities of students.

8. Relevant , Education in the 21st century is

Rigorous and meaningful because it is rooted in real
Real-world life day-to-day activities of learners. It
 can be applied to the realities of the
present and includes what students
need to develop to enable them to
become productive members of the
21st century.

This critical attribute implies that

topics are taught using current and
relevant information and linked to
real-life situations and context. As a
21st century teacher , you need to be
updated on the current trends ,
developments and issues in your
school , community and in the world ,
so that your teaching will be relevant
to the lives of your students.
Newspapers , TV and radio news and
the internet are good sources of
relevant and up-to-date information
that you can access.

C. THE GLOBAL CLASSROOM

1. What kind of classrooms will address the 21 st century
curriculum? How does the 20th century classroom compare with
the 21st century classroom?
2. www.21st Century Schools.com presented a comparison of the
20th century classroom and the 21st century classroom :

20th Century Classroom 21st Century Classroom

 Teacher - centered  Learner – centered
 Fragmented curriculum  Integrated curriculum
  Learners working in isolation  Learners working
 Memorizing facts together
 Understanding facts

 Time - based  Outcomes - based

 Focus on memorization of  Focus on What students

discrete facts Know and Can Do

 Lesson focus on lower level of  Learning is designed on

Bloom’s Taxonomy : upper levels of Bloom’s
knowledge , comprehension Taxonomy : analysis ,
and application evaluation ,and
synthesis
 Considers Multiple
Intelligences and
Emotional Quotient

 Textbook - driven  Research - driven

 Passive learning  Active learning

 Learners work in isolation  Learners work

 Classroom within four walls collaboratively with
classmates and others
around the world ,
borderless and global

 Teacher – centered :Teacher  Student – centered :

is the dispenser of Teacher is the facilitator ,
information coach and guide at the side

 Problems of discipline  Students and teachers

mutually respect each other

 Little to no student freedom  Great deal of student

freedom
  Fragmented curriculum  Integrated and disciplinary

 Low expectations  High expectations to

succeed

 Teacher is the sole judge  Self , peer and other

assessment

 Curriculum is irrelevant to  Curriculum is connected to

learners students’ interests ,
experiences , talents and
the real world

 Pencil and paper is the  Performance , products and

primary vehicle of learning multiple forms of media are
and assessment used for learning and
assessment

 Diversity of learners is  Curriculum addresses

ignored learners diversity

 Literacy in the 3 Rs : Reading  Multiple literacies of the

, “riting and “rithmetic 21st century-aligned to
living and working in a
globalized society

 Factory model , based upon  Global model based upon

the needs of employers of the the needs of a globalized
19th century scientific high tech society
management

 Driven by standard testing  Multiple ways of

assessment of learning and
for teaching

IV. LEARNING TASKS

Now that you have gained theoretical understanding of the basic
concepts, nature and types of curriculum , it is then necessary to apply
these theories and concepts in the context of your future role as a
teacher. Accomplish the following learning tasks :

Learning Task No 1
Direction : Now that you have done reading the key learning points
about the critical attributes of the 21st century education , you are now
requested to share your insights focusing on the learning that you
gained from this Module. Take a few minutes to reflect on the question
: What changes does the 21st century bring to the teaching and learning
process? Write your ideas/insights on the lines provided below.

WHAT CHANGES DOES THE 21ST CENTURY BRING TO THE

TEACHING AND LEARNING PROCESS ?
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Learning Task No. 2
Direction : Write an Acrostic. Take the word NEW LITERACIES ,
and think of the key words or key learning points that we have
discussed relative to the nature , concepts and attributes of 21 st century
literacies using word/s beginning with each of those letters.

N ___________________________________________________

E ___________________________________________________

W __________________________________________________

L ___________________________________________________

I ___________________________________________________

T ___________________________________________________

E ____________________________________________________

R _____________________________________________________

A ____________________________________________________

C ____________________________________________________

I ____________________________________________________

E _____________________________________________________

S ____________________________________________________

Learning Task No. 3

Direction : Using the internet as your source of information , give a
description of the following keywords relative to our discussion on the
nature , concepts and attributes of 21st century literacies.

1. Emotional Intelligence
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2. Global Warming
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3. Life long Learning

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Learning Task No. 4
Direction : Do Online Research. Differentiate the following
terminologies contained in this module and cite examples.

DIFFERENTIATE GIVE
DESCRI EXAMPLE IN
BE TEACHING
AND
LEARNING

Passive Learning and

Active Learning

Integrated/
Interdisciplinary
Curriculum and
Fragmented Curriculum
Learning Task No. 5
Direction : Explain the implications of the following statements in
teaching and learning :

1. “Learners work collaboratively with classmates and others around

the world in a borderless type of education”.
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2. “Workplaces of the 21st century rely heavily on electronic (digital)

forms of data storage and management as well as in the area of
communication”.
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