MODULE 2- BEN 221

A Paradigm Shift for 21st Century Education

Before 21st Century Education 21st Century Education

Time – based Outcome-based

Focus: memorization of discrete facts Focus: what students Know, Can Do and Are
Like after all the details are
forgotten.
Lower order thinking skills in Bloom’s Higher order thinking skills
Taxonomy
Textbook-driven Research-driven
Passive Learning Active Learning
Learners work in isolation and confined Learners work collaboratively with
classmates and others around the
world (global classroom)
Teacher-centered: teacher is dispenser of Student-centered: teacher is
knowledge, information and attention facilitator/coach of student learning
Little to no student freedom Great deal of student freedom
“Discipline problems” – No trust between No “discipline problem”- Students and
educators and students. Little student teachers have mutual respect
motivation.
relationship as co-learners. High students’
motivation
Fragmented Curriculum Integrated and interdisciplinary curriculum

Grades taken from formal assessment Grades are based on students’ performance
measures entered in the class record for as evidence of learning
reporting purposes outcome
Assessment is for marking purposes and Assessment is important aspect of
placed as part of lesson plan structure instruction to gauge learning outcome
Low expectation. What student receive is High expectations that students succeed in
what they get learning to high extent
Teacher is judge. No one else sees students Self, peer and others serve as evaluators of
work. Outputs are assessed using structured student learning using wide range of
matrix metrics and authentic
assessments
 Curriculum is irrelevant and meaningless to Curriculum is connected to students’
the students interests, experiences, talents and the real
world
Print is the primary vehicle of learning and Performances, projects and multiple
assessment forms of media are used for learning and
assessment
Student diversity is ignored Curriculum and instruction address student
diversity
Student just follow orders and instructions Students are empowered to lead and
while listening to teacher’s lecture initiate while creating solutions and
solving problems
Literacy in 3R’s Multiple literacies of the 21st Century
aligned to living and working in a
globalized new society
Factory model, based upon the needs of Global model based upon the needs of a
employers for the industrial age of the 19th globalized high-tech society
century

The paradigm shifts from the 20th to the 21st century, shows that the
structure and modalities of education have involved. Students become the center of
teaching-learning process in the 21 st century using wide array of technological tools to
assist them in exploring knowledge and information needed in surviving the test of time
and preparing for the future career endeavors. Assessment has been made varied to
address multimedia literacy development in diverse context. Teachers turn to become
facilitators rather than lecturers and dispensers of information. As such curriculum is
designed in a way that it connects to life in the real world, interconnected with other
disciplines and reshapes the students’ holistic perspectives.

The Critical Attributes of 21 Century Education continuously changes dramatically

throughout time. There is a paradigm shift in the way teaching and learning is delivered.
Therefore, the 21 Century teacher needs to, develop essential knowledge, skills and
values in order to cope with these changes and address students' need (21" Century
Schools, 2011).

The following are eight attributes of 21st Century education and their implications:

1. Integrated and Interdisciplinary. Education in the 21st Century is characterized by

interfacing various disciplines in an integrated manner rather than compartmentalizing
its subsequent parts. This critical attribute implies the need to review the curriculum
and create strategies infusing different subjects toward enhancing the learning
experiences of students.

2. Technologies and Multimedia. Education in the 21st Century makes optimum use of
available Information and Communication Technology (ICT), as well as multimedia to
improve the teaching and learning process, including online applications and
technology platforms. It implies a need to acquire and use computers and multimedia
equipment and the design of a technology plan to enhance learning at its best.

3. Global Classrooms. Education in the 21" Century aims to produce global citizens by
exposing students to the issues and concerns in the local, national and global
 societies. This critical attribute implies the 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 Constant Personal and Social Change and Lifelong

Learning. Education in the 21st Century subscribes to the belief that learning does not
end within the four walls of the classroom. Instead, it can take place anywhere,
anytime regardless of age. This means that teachers should facilitate students'
learning even beyond academics. Therefore, it should not end with requirement
compliance and passing the exams, but also for transferring and applying knowledge
to a new context or real-life situations. As such, the curriculum should be planned in
such a way that students will continue to learn even outside the school for life.

5. Student-Centered. Education in the 21" Century is focused on students as learners

while addressing their needs; Differentiated instruction Is relevant in the 21 st Century
classrooms, where diversity factors and issues are taken into account and addressed
when planning and delivering instruction, including their learning styles, interests,
needs ang abilities.

6. 21st Century Skills. Education in the 21st Century demonstrates the skills needed in
becoming productive members of society. Beyond learning the basic skills of reading,
writing and numeracy, students should also develop life and work skills in 21" Century
communities, such as critical and creative thinking, problem-solving and decision-
making and ICT literacy and skills. Therefore, it implies that teachers should possess
these skills first before their students.

7. Project-Based and Research-Driven. 21st Century education emphasizes data,

information and evidence-based decision-making through student activities that
encourage active learning. This implies the need for knowledge and skills in research,
such as self-directed activities, learning projects, investigatory projects, capstones and
other research-based output.

8. Relevant, Rigorous and Real World. Education in the 21st Century is meaningful as
it connects to real-life experiences of learners. It implies the use of current and
relevant information linked to real-life situations and contexts.

The Characteristics of a 21ª Century Teacher

The 21" Century teaching-learning environment becomes more complicated

brought by technological
changes; Therefore, teachers should be able to cope with and adapt lo these changes.

Thus, teachers must be equipped with attributes, knowledge and skills critical to
21" century education so that they may be able to integrate. them in their leaching. 21*
Century teachers are characterized as:

1. Multi-literate. Teachers know how to use various technologies in teaching.

2. Multi-specialist. Teachers are not only knowledgeable in the course subject they
teach but also in other areas so that they can help the learners build up what they gain in
the classroom and outside the school and make sense of what was learned.

3. Multi-skilled. Teachers cope with the demand for widening leering opportunities by
being skillful not just in teaching but also in facilitating and organizing groups and
activities.

4. Self-directed. Teachers ate responsible for various aspects of school life and know
how to Initiate action to realize the learning goals of the students and the educational
goals of the country, at large.

5. Lifelong learner. Teachers embrace the Ideal that learning never ends. Therefore,
teachers must be constantly updated on the latest information related to their subject and
pedagogic trends. They should also share what they are learning with their students and
colleagues with a high sense of professionalism.

6. Flexible. Teachers are able to adapt to various learning styles and needs of the
learners. They can facilitate learner-centered teaching with flexibility using alternative
modes of delivery.

7. Creative problem solver. Teachers create Innovative ideas and effective solutions to
the arising problems in the field, be it in the classroom, in the school or the profession as a
whole.

8. Critical thinker. Teachers are critical thinkers as they encourage students to reflect
on what they have learned, and rekindle in them the desire to ask questions, reason out,
probe, and establish their own knowledge and belief.

9. Has a passion for excellent teaching. Teachers possess passion in the teaching
profession to ensure that students are motivated to learn under their guidance and care.

10. High Emotional Quotient (EQ). Teachers do not just have the head but also the
heart to teach. Teaching is emotionally taxing but an influential job as it involves
interaction with human beings.

Midterm Activity no. 2: (Written Works)

Date of submission: March 10, 2025
1.Using a Venn Diagram, write the differences and similarities of A Paradigm Shift
for 21st Century Education.

2. From the eight attributes of 21st-century education and their implications, choose 3
that you think are more important and explain.

3. Based on the characteristics of a 21st-century teacher, what do you think you need to
possess as a future educator and why? Choose 4 characteristics.