Change is inevitable. It complements education’s principle as an advocate of change. Fecho (2017) articulated that education changes perspectives, values, and understandings. It capacitates a person with all the tools through which he is constructed in reality and identity.
As the educational system constantly interfaces, teachers must cope with the content, pedagogy, strategy, and approaches changes. In the study of Gonzales and Ilagan (2020), it was underscored that the role of teachers in the success of the learning process of 21st-century students are equally important. The adjustments they make to bridge gaps and differences are essentially needed to obtain the goal of achieving quality education.
The experts suggested that teachers must invest in the quality of learning they deliver to their students. A pedagogical idiosyncrasy equates to an upgrade in pedagogies. It signifies relevance to the learning styles of millennial learners. Thus, teachers identify the gap to ensure that effective learning will transpire.
The study cited the findings of Stauffer (2020) that articulated the components of 21st-century learning skills involving creativity, critical thinking, collaboration, communication, information, media, and technology. Similarly, it was highlighted that teachers must integrate life skills such as flexibility, initiative, leadership, productivity, social skills, and technology. The pedagogical task of assimilating 21st-century skills must be evident in classroom management, delivery of instruction, relation to and communication with the learners.
Consequently, as the education scheme gears towards remote learning, there is a call to enhance 21st-century skills. Teachers must capacitate themselves with the relevant pedagogical approaches. Shepelyuk (2020) was also cited regarding improved education yielding progressive development. Therefore, education must equip learners with a system prepared for nation-building.
With this, the student-centered strategy must be aligned with what this generation of students need. Teachers must keep themselves abreast of the “millennial” way to reach out to their students. Therefore, teachers must be introduced to the advents of technology since their students are into digital functions.
At the end of the day, teachers will always be the catalysts of change. They are the prime movers of education. With that, they must be prepared in all instances to adjust to the needs of the students. Given the generation gap as one of the challenges, and the differences in values, skills and culture as another factor, teachers must be able to find solutions to these issues and must remain steadfast to their commitment of promoting learning continuity that is accessible, holistic, and transformational.
By: Aimee Rose P. de Villa|Teacher II| Bataan National High School SHS| Balanga City, Bataan
