As days gone by requirements for the progress of the education in our country is also changing. The traditional approach is no longer effective in some instances. Chalk and talk means of imparting knowledge is no longer the demands of the public, although many are graduates of this strategy. But as many people are saying change is the permanent in this world. So teachers have to conform to such variations. Memorization without understanding is prohibited, because it doesn’t guarantee learning. Memorizing is still a skill of today, but there should be comprehension and application on the real life situation.

The skills that are we using years ago are now ineffective that is why we have to look for the so called 21^st century skills. People like learners have changed. Their learning styles are far different from the learning attitude of our parents and grandparents. Take for example on the way they study now, students learn best when they are using media.  Before students are focused on the books they have. They can easily cope up on the lessons if the teacher is using cooperative learning, while before they learn when the teacher is the one talking most of the time because behavior is strictly observed.

But what are these 21^st century skills?  How do they differ with that of skills before? According to Charlie T. Carreon, during the conduct of Cluster Mass Training of Grade 10, 21^st century skills are necessary for building nation’s manpower. It is a must that learners must have to earn a living even if they leave formal schooling at any given time. Twenty first century skills are skills needed of the teachers to teach and develop 21^st century learners. These are skills needed to make teachers grow as professionals and for the students to work independently, to use their critical thinking, and discover full potential.

Planning a career is one of the twenty first century skills. Being able to make plans for your life is a skill. Without planning life can be backbreaking. Students have to plan especially now that we are implementing K to 12 Basic Education program.  They have to plan and choose carefully what tracks they are going to finish. There’s no retreat and no surrender that is why planning is very essential.

Communication skill is also one very important 21^st century skills. The ability to communicate whether written, oral, or by means of gesture is absolutely a sure job in the industry. It makes teachers feel comfortable on his job and confident on what he is imparting. It makes our leaners accepted and heard. Another 21^st century skills are the use of information technology and different media. Technology is rapidly increasing due to its necessitation. Teachers should have technologies and use them to make more learning interesting. Teachers should keep themselves up to date on the latest media, because most students are digital native. However, students who do not know how to use computer must engage into it, because industry’s qualification is broad. Creativity and innovativeness are also 21^st century skills. Based on the study teachers who are creative and innovative are on the summit of developing 21^st century learners, while students who are creative and innovative as well remain positive despite adversities. Critical thinking is also a skill that makes teachers efficient and effective. This skill is needed to ask questions to be answered by the leaners using their higher order thinking skills. It makes teachers think as well as learners.

Twenty first century skills are not far different from the skills yester years. It is a matter of using variety of strategies to facilitate learning. 

By: Limuel L. Caña | T-I | Mariveles National HIghschool