21st Century Digital Learners and Teachers

by: Jenet M. Itol

Introduction

The 21st century was the daylight of the digital age. A time for ensuing technology to grow to its it’s broader scope. New technologies and tools multiply daily task in a fast and accurate manner. Numerous studies and reports over the decade seeking to identify the life, career and learning skills that define the craft needed for the 21st century world to success.

Objectives

• to know the skills of the 21st century learners• to identify the characteristics of the 21st century

teacher• to determine the 21st century teacher techniques or

strategies on how they facilitate the 21st century learners

Common Skills of the 21st Century Learners

1. Creativity and Innovation using knowledge and understanding to create new

ways of thinking in order to find solutions and new ideas.2. Critical Thinking and Problem Solving

applying higher order thinking skills to new problems and issues using appropriate reasoning.

3. Communicationcommunicating effectively in a wide variety of forms

and context using multiple media and technologies.

4. Collaborationworking with others respectfully and effectively to create,

use and share knowledge solution and innovations.

5. Information Managementaccessingly, analyzing, synthesizing, creating and sharing information from multiple sources.

6. Effective Use of Technologycreating the capacity to identify and use technology efficiently, effectively and ethically.

7. Career and Life Skillsdeveloping the skills for becoming self-directed, independent learners and workers.

8. Cultural Awarenessdeveloping cultural competence in working with others by recognizing and respecting cultural differences.

Information, Media and Technology Skills

1. Information Literacyaccess and evaluate information efficiently,

effectively, critically and competently

2. Media Literacyanalyze and create media products

3. ICT (Information Communications and Technology) Literacyapply technology effectively

Instruction that meet the needs of the 21st century learners

a variety of learning opportunities and activities appropriate use of technology tools to accomplish learning

goals project and problem based learning cross- curricular connections a focus on inquiry and the students led investigation collaborative learning environment within and beyond the

classroom

Other Skills and Attributes of the 21st Century Learners• effective in oral and written communication• collaboration across networks• agility and adaptability• grit• resilience• empathy and global stewardship• vision• self-regulation• hope and optimism• curiosity and imagination• initiative and entrepreneurialism• critical thinking and problem solving

The 21st Century TeacherThe 21st century teachers are student centric and

holistic but for them to meet the demands of the digital education in the 21st century they should acquire the following characteristics:

1. Adaptorthe 21st century educator must be able to adapt the curriculum and the requirements to teach to the

curriculum in imaginative ways.2. Visionary

imagination, a key component of adaptability is a crucial component of the educator of today and tomorrow.

3. Collaboratoras an educator we must be able to leverage these tools tools to enhance and captivate our learners.

4. The Risk Takera 21st century educator must take risks and sometimes surrender yourself to the students knowledge.

5. The Learnerwe expect our students to be life-long learners and we must continue to absorb new possibilities and

experiences.6. The Communicator

the 21st century teachers are fluent in tools andtechnologies that enable communication and

collaboration.

7. The Modelthe 21st century educator must model the behaviors that are expected from students.

8. The Leaderleadership, like clear goals and objectives is crucial to the success or failure of any project.

Three Factors in Facilitating 21st Century Learners1. Resources

this is the physical and electronic tools and materials available to the teacher in the classroom.

2. Skillsfalls in two categories: Technical skills – ability to operate the resources provided to you and the confidence and competent to facilitate with the use of technology. Pedagogical skills – the teachers ability to use a variety ofsuitable pedagogical strategies is key to integration.

3. Curriculumteachers and students contribute to the development and revision of the learning experiences and the teacher was encourage to use the digital approaches and teaching drives.