As a teacher, I realize that we can’t teach in the same way our teachers used to do in the past. We live in a modern era where everything is digitalized and any information can be found with just one click. The rapid development of technology changes the way we communicate, we see things, and we learn something. For example, we used to send letters to communicate with friends or relatives who live out of town or abroad. Of course, it takes a few days or even weeks to wait for their replies. But now, we can send emails or even have a video call on Skype for free.
What about changes in education? We can no longer rely on textbooks as the only source of information. Moreover, teachers can’t ask students to memorize the content of school books without understanding what they are studying in class. In addition to skills related to their subjects, teachers need to gain other skills needed in the information era. We call them the 21st-century skills.
These can be defined as skills students need to develop in order to succeed in the digital era. Change is a certainty and we need to adapt to change. The skills are:
- Critical thinking and problem solving
Why students need these: students need to learn how to think critically, rather than just memorizing the facts. For example, in the past, we studied history by memorizing facts related to date, place, and events. Critical thinking skills encourage us ask why events happened and what we can learn from the past so that negative situations aren’t repeated in the future. Critical thinking skills are helpful in uncovering the truth. We can’t just believe everything we hear and read.
In addition, problem-solving skills are needed to help us to deal with the complex problems facing us in the current age. Students need to know and understand real-life problems and tbe able to come up with practical and wise solutions.
- Collaboration and Communication
Why students need these: We meet and interact with different people, each one having a different culture, personality and background. Developing collaboration and communication skills enables us to interact and cooperate well with a diverse population.
In the classroom setting, students are likely to meet other students with differing opinions, as well as different abilities. This may include special-needs students. Collaboration and communication skills teach us to treat people with respect, regardless of their beliefs and academic ability.
- Creativity and Imagination
Why students need these: These skills are useful not only for artists and musicians, but also for other professions. For example, a good writer should be able to communicate his or her idea creatively without plagiarizing other people’s work. A football team needs a brilliant and creative playmaker, without whom a striker won’t be able to score goals.
Creativity and imagination are needed to find the best solutions in a complex world.
- Citizenship
Why students need this: Citizenship doesn’t only teach students about the history of their national symbol. Citizenship also teaches us about our rights in society, the role of the government, and how we can participate in making our cities or countries better places in which to live. In addition, students should be well-informed about the latest issues happening around them and how to contribute to the workings of local government. For example, a mayor or governor may be planning to build a new road that may have an adverse impact on the environment. Students can make a petition or write a letter to a local representative, asking him or her to reconsider the plan.
- Student leadership and personal development
Why students need this: Students who develop leadership abilities tend to boost their own self-confidence, as well as improve their communication skills. Focusing on one’s personal development has the additional benefit of understanding what other students need, having empathy for others, and improving decision-making. Students can learn these skills by undertaking projects that involve teamwork, where individuals have an opportunity to lead and each member of the team can learn responsibility by working towards a common goal.
- Digital literacy
Why students need this: Technology is growing rapidly. The way we absorb information in the digital era is different from the days where there was no internet and TV was the only source of entertainment. Technology also changes the way we work: people now have the option to work remotely and we are even able to have meetings via Skype.
Although we can access any kind of information with just one click, unfortunately not all that information is accurate, especially the content we receive and share on social media. People tend to believe in sensationalist articles circulated on social media and gossip spread via Whatsapp chat. On closer inspection, this may turn out to be false news.
Critical thinking skills are needed to analyze digital information before drawing conclusions. For example, we need to confirm whether the information is accurate or not. Does it sound too provocative? Is it fact-based or a personal opinion?
Teachers’ Role
Teachers can integrate these 21st century skills when teaching their specific subjects. For example, a sociology teacher could use colour when teaching symbolic interactionism theory. Asking students what comes to mind when seeing the colour red encourages them to use their imagination and explore the topic.
Leadership and personal development can be integrated within all subjects. Teachers can arrange for students to work in groups or pairs, thereby exposing them to different perspectives and encouraging them to express their ideas and work together. They are able to develop tolerance and communication skills.
Clap
