1.

Choose three from the 21st century skills and explain on the advantages of the

learners with these skills.

a) Critical Thinking and Problem Solving

Developing critical thinking and problem solving skills in students can

make students broad and innovative thinkers who know how to analyze and

evaluate information, situations or problems. When students know well how to

analyze learning experiences like problems, they can easily devise strategic and

effective solutions and innovations.

We should develop among student how to analyze and solve problems to

make them independent learners.

b) Accessing and Analyzing Information

Devising solutions and creating innovations require accessing and

analyzing of information. Students in the 21 st century are bombarded with

multitude of information through the internet. However, many students still are not

well trained on how to take advantage of the myriad of information they have at

hand. Many are limited on how to access information more so to analyze the

reliability of information.
Right information will lead students to right solutions. Accessing and

analyzing information skills go hand in hand with critical thinking and problem

solving skills. These skills will enable students to arrive at the most logical

solutions and much needed innovations. Students should not only be thinkers

and solvers but also creators.

c) Effective Oral and Written Communication

Communication is a part of peoples lives. In this fast-changing time, oral

and written communications skills still play a big role in many facets of our life; at

home, school and work.

 Having effective communication skills can bridge a gap in the family. Many

students especially teenagers have difficulties in expressing themselves to their

parents and loved ones. In school, students are required to contribute to class

discussions, submit written outputs and others. In the professional arena, people

have to go through communication screening before landing on a job.

Effective oral and written communication skills are skills we should

develop among our students at an early age. It will build their confidence for they

feel they have a voice. Many ideas are left hidden because of the lack of skills in

effective communication for we are limited by our words.

2. Select four (4) from the list of the characteristics of the 20th and the 21st century

classroom. Compare and contrast what you have selected in terms of your

experiences.

a) Little to no student freedom - Great deal of student freedom

In the 20th century classroom there is little to no student freedom. The sad

thing is even teachers freedom is limited by traditional school administrators.

Change must not just happen in the classroom but the whole system. Some

innovative teachers especially in the provinces are tied to the traditional ways of

classroom interaction hence resort to students more of their freedom.

Giving freedom to students in todays classroom can develop their critical

thinking and problem solving skills and build their independence. They can also

find more relevance to the subject matter they are learning when they are given

freedom to connect them to their interest, aspirations, goals etc. The 20 th century

classroom failed to give freedom to the students by limiting them to set of rules,
 policies and worse to same old boring activities in the classroom that do not

explore the multiplicity of students intelligence.

b) Teacher is judge. No one else sees student work. - Self, Peer and Other

assessments. Public audience, authentic assessments.

We should move away from the 20th century classrooms means of

assessing students works. Teacher should not be the sole judge to make

assessments more reliable and diverse.

21st century approach on assessments will give students the chance of

being evaluated by different judges which can give varied opinions compared to

a one-sided teacher.
The 21st century approach can build students confidence in a way that

students will feel that their uniqueness and individuality will be given a chance of

being appreciated because the judge is not only limited to one.

c) Curriculum/School is irrelevant and meaningless to the students. - Curriculum is

connected to students interests, experiences, talents and the real world

As a once 20th century classroom student myself, I had often thought

about the importance of some subjects taught in school. Students of the 20 th

century were wired to just study without understanding the subject or the lessons

relevance in their lives.

The 21st century classroom aiming to connect students interests,

experiences, talents and the real world will give the students motivation to study.

Students will not feel lost or a robot just following the flow of their school life.

Schools should always give importance to what really matters and not delve into

subject matters that are detached from the students present interests and their

future.
d) Diversity in students is ignored. - Curriculum and instruction address student

diversity
Diversity should always be addressed in the classroom. The 20 th century

classrooms methods and approaches devalue students potentials through

limited forms of assessments and wearisome activities. The 20 th century

classroom only gives activities that measure few types of intelligence.

Diversity should not be limited by intelligence but should also cover

gender, ethnicity, religion etc. I hope that the 21 st century classroom will address

sensitive issues of societies to make students not just intellectuals but humane.