1.

Integrated and Interdisciplinary

Nowadays, knowledge is no longer 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.
For example, music and algebra can be linked together in the discussion of fractions.
The time signature of music uses fractions; as such, you, as a good teacher, can certainly
apply this to both your music or math classes.
2. Technologies and Multimedia
Education in the 21st century makes full use of available Information and
Communication Technology, or ICT (e.g., computers and the internet) as well as
multimedia (e.g., using audio- and video-based instruction) to improve teaching and
learning activities. 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. (  global citizen is someone who is
aware of and understands the wider world - and their place in it. They take an active role in their
community, and work with others to make our planet more equal, fair and sustainable. ... Global
citizenship helps young people to: Build their own understanding of world events )

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.
 Our world faces serious global issues of terrorism, ethnic conflict, social inequality, and
environmental destruction. How can we prepare our students to cope with these problems?

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 only
happen inside the school and during one’s schooling years. Learning can take place
anywhere, anytime, regardless of one’s age.
This means that teachers should facilitate students’ acquisition of KSAVs that go beyond
academics. 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.

 Collaboration and teamwork

 Creativity and imagination
 Critical thinking
 Problem solving

The Critical Skills for Success

 The Hanover Research analysis also identifies a second tier of important 21st
century skills, present in five of the six major frameworks:

 Flexibility and adaptability

 Global and cultural awareness
 Information literacy
 Leadership

The following skills were present in four of the six frameworks:

 Civic literacy and citizenship

 Oral and written communication skills
 Social responsibility and ethics
 Technology literacy
 Initiative

7. Project-Based and Research-Driven

Among the critical attributes of 21st 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 21st 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, Rigorous and Real-world

Education in the 21st century is meaningful because it is rooted in real 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.
 It implies that 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 your students address them as well, As teacher we need to equipped
ourselves with competency so we could facilitate learning as we are deemed to
be.
Learning to know means learning to learn, so as to benefit from the opportunities education provides throughout life.
Providing our learners with the knowledge they need to enhance their skills.

 Learning to do is helping them develop their occupational skill using the knowledge you thought them , more
broadly, the competence to deal with many situations and work in teams. Learning to live together is by developing
competence on understanding of our learners to other people and teach them to appreciate the value of
interdependence - carrying out joint projects and learning to manage conflicts -in a spirit of respect for the values of
togetherness, and acquiring knowledge to nurture mutual understanding and peace.

1. Keep an open mind.

2. Have at least some knowledge of people's cultural backgrounds.
3. Practice active listening.
4. Watch your nonverbal communication.
5. Maintain a personal touch.