Sunday, March 27, 2011

Student Achievement in the 21st Century: Literacy Skills for 21st Century Learners

This session certainly expounds the need for innovative change in learning and teaching to preapre our young generation to be competitive, creative and productive citizens of the 21st century.  The fluid and dynamic future demands it!

The speaker, Sue Beers (educational consultant), outlines and explores the definition of 21st century skills.  Besides the content of the core subjects, the 21st century skills comprise of the categories of Leaning & Innovation Skills; Information and Technology Skills; and Career & Life Skills.  It is imperative that the teacher plans the lesson to infuse the 21st century skills. 

Sue Beers also shared the framework for 21st century learning.  It represents a holistic view of teaching and learning that contains 21st century learning student outcomes as well as the essential support systems.

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One of my main takeaways for the session is the main 4Cs of the 21st century skills which are namely, Creativity and Innovation; Communication; Critical Thinking & Problem Solving; and Collaboration.  Hence, it is empirical that the skillful teacher is able to weave the elements of the 4Cs into the lesson delivery so that the acqusition is as equally important as the acquisition of the core content knowledge.

Like many participants, I was awed by the vast amount of web tools for learning that is available.  The myriad of webtools shared by Sue Beers was quite overwhelming.  By harnessing technology, I am sure it will spark the interest of students and engage them in learning.  Being digital natives, the students would find learning interesting and fun by using the right technology.  However, there is a need to level up the technology literacy of the teachers in order to make use of the correct webtools appropriately and skilfully.    

Technology is but a tool in engaing the learners.  Technology when used skilfully allows learners to own their learning.  And it is through such ownership of learning and accountabililty in learning that the 21st century skills could be acquired.



This is a photo taken during the session with Sue Beers in the middle. 

Written by: Aubury Ong

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