21st Century Skills

What is 21^st century skills

The term 21st century skills refers to a broad set of knowledge, skills, work habits, and character traits that are believed by educators, school reformers, college professors, employers, and others. It is set to be critically important to success in today’s world, particularly in college programs, ontemporary careers and workplaces. Generally speaking, 21st century skills can be applied in all academic subject areas, and in all educational, career, and civic settings throughout a student’s life.

21^st century skills means that students master content while producing, synthesizing and evaluating information from a wide variety of subjects and sources with an understanding of and respect for diverse cultures. Students demonstrate the three Rs, but also the three Cs: creativity, communication, and collaboration. They demonstrate digital literacy as well as civic responsibility. Virtual tools and open-source software create borderless learning territories for students of all ages, anytime and anywhere.

Students in the 21st century learn in a global classroom and it’s not necessarily within four walls. They are more inclined to find information by accessing the Internet through cellphones and computers, or chatting with friends on a social networking site. Similarly, many teachers are monitoring and issuing assignments via virtual classrooms. To be prepared for the 21st century, our children require the following skills and knowledge such as an understanding of history, civics, geography, mathematics, and science in this case, they may comprehend unforeseen events and act wisely;

u the ability to speak, write, and read English well

u  mastery of a foreign language; engagement in the arts,

u to enrich their lives;

u close encounters with great literature,

u to gain insight into timeless dilemmas and the human condition;

u a love of learning.

u So, they continue to develop their minds when their formal schooling ends;

u self-discipline, to pursue their goals to completion; ethical and moral character; the social skills to collaborate fruitfully with others;

u the ability to use technology wisely; the ability to make and repair useful objects, for personal independence; and the ability to play a musical instrument, for personal satisfaction.

How to apply in teaching and learning process

There is a limit to the skills, attitudes, and dispositions that students can learn through formal schooling. Therefore, educating them for the 21st century requires teaching them how to learn on their own. To do so, students need to be aware of how they learn. In my opinion, students learn better with peers. There are many ways in which teachers can design instruction to promote learning with others. Students can discuss concepts in pairs or groups and share what they understand with the rest of the class. They can develop arguments and debate them. They can role-play. They can divide up materials about a given topic and then teach others about their piece. Together, students and the teacher can use a studio format in which several students work through a given issue, talking through their thinking process while the others comment. Technology offers the potential to provide students with new ways to develop their problem solving, critical thinking, and communication skills, transfer them to different contexts, reflect on their thinking and that of their peers, practice addressing their misunderstandings, and collaborate with peers and all on topics relevant to their lives and using engaging tools.

There are also many other examples of web-based forums through which students and their peers from around the world can interact, share, debate, and learn from each other.

Example of activities that can be used in 21^st century classroom are:

1. Game-Based Learning

I think Kahoot will be a very interesting activity to be taught in the classroom. These games,coupled with instruction and other assessments, could be used in and outside of the classroom. A teacher can "translate" the game experience to classroom teams through written reflections and discussions, as well as hands-on gameplay in a fishbowl, where the classroom observes and documents elements of successful collaboration. Well-designed games require players to solve a variety of complex problems, some of which require standards-aligned learning and some that simply require general critical thinking and problem-solving. We must find time for students to play these games in and out of the class to teach content and 21st-century skills. To make it easy and save time, pick a game that develops a relevant area of content learning as well as building 21st-century skills.

2. Projects

Projects allow students to explore cultural similarities and diversities between the other countries. Develop and deepen understanding of different cultures, traditions and practices in different backgrounds. These projects highlight the process of learning itself by offering authentic, inquiry-based activities for learners to access content, share ideas, and revisit their own thinking. Project-Based Learning often requires students not simply to collect resources, organize work, and manage long-term activities, but also to collaborate, design, revise, and share their ideas and experiences with authentic audiences and supportive peer groups. For this activity, I suggest we can use Padlets in the classroom.

3. Software tools

To build your 21st century classroom: take a multimedia approach to learning core content, promote essential learning and innovation skills, build information, media, and technology skills in context and, advance life and career skills. Using software tools that combine art tools, with text editing, clip art, and voice recording provides students with tools to communicate ideas and demonstrate understanding. At this point we can use the tool such as story bird to enhance our students knowledge and conduct a meaningful lesson with the students.