Learners nowadays are different because

they think radically different from their

predecessors about and process knowledge.
The word "skills of the 21st century" is
commonly used to apply to such key
competencies, such as teamwork, digital learning,
analytical thinking, and problem- solving, which
proponents claim schools ought to teach to help
students succeed in the world today. Technology
in the 21st- century can be used as an incentive to
learn further information and not as a reason to
know less.
 Students in the 21st-century learn in a
global classroom and not certainly within four
walls. They are more likely to find knowledge
by accessing the Web through mobile phones
and laptops or talking on a social networking
platform with friends. Likewise, several
teachers track and discuss assignments via
simulated classrooms.
1. Learning and innovation skills are what separate
students who are prepared for increasingly complex
life and work environments in today’s world and
those who are not. They include:
• Creativity and Innovation
• Critical Thinking and Problem Solving
• Communication
• Collaboration
 The four C’s of 21st Century skills are some
of the most popular learning strategies in today’s
environment.
The four C’s are:
1. Critical thinking
2. Creativity
3. Collaboration
4. Communication
Critical thinking is all about
solving problems.
Creativity teaches students to think
outside the box.
Collaboration shows students how to
work together to achieve a common
goal.
Communication lets students learn
how to convey their ideas best.
 1. Critical Thinking
It is the practice of solving problems, among other
qualities. In addition to working through problems, solving
puzzles, and similar activities, critical thinking also
includes an element of skepticism. This is important in the
21st Century because it’s harder than ever to verify
accurate information (mostly thanks to the Internet).
Critical thinking empowers students to discover the truth in
assertions, especially when it comes to separating fact from
opinion.
1. Critical Thinking
With critical thinking, students don’t just learn a set of
facts or figures. Instead, they learn how to discover the
facts and figures for themselves. They ask questions.
They become engaged in the world around them. They
help others think critically, too. That might be the most
important part of critical thinking. Once one student has
it mastered, it quickly spreads to their peers.
1. Critical Thinking
Whether they learn how to think critically from
spending time online or simply asking the “Why?” in
everyday life, this skill prepares students for a life of
independence and purposeful thought. Still, critical
thinking is just one of the four C’s in 21st Century
skills. It works just fine when students use it alone. But
when students combine it with the next skill, the sky's
the limit to what they can achieve.
2. Creativity
Creativity is the practice of thinking outside the
box. While creativity is often treated like a you-
have-it-or-you-don’t quality, students can learn
how to be creative by solving problems, creating
systems, or just trying something they haven’t tried
before. That doesn’t mean every student will
become an artist or a writer.
2. Creativity
Instead, it means they’ll be able to look at a
problem from multiple perspectives — including
those that others may not see. Creativity allows
students to embrace their inner strengths from
big-picture planning to meticulous organization.
As a student learns about their creativity, they
also learn how to express it in healthy and
productive ways.
2. Creativity
More importantly, they also become motivated to share
that creativity with others. Just like with critical thinking
that makes creativity contagious. One student creates an
interesting or innovative solution to a problem. Then, when
they share it, the next student can become inspired to try
something similar. That’s not to say every single creative
endeavor will be a ringing success. Students will fail at
some point, and some of their ideas simply won’t work.
2. Creativity
But that’s okay. The point of creativity is to encourage
students to think differently than convention demands.
They don’t have to do things the way they’ve always
been done. Instead, they can figure out a better way.
Students don’t have to embrace their creativity alone,
either. In fact, creativity works best when combined with
the next 21st Century skill.
3. Collaboration
Collaboration is the practice of working together to
achieve a common goal. It is important because whether
students realize it or not, they’ll probably work with other
people for the rest of their lives.
Virtually every job requires someone to work
with another person at some point, even if it’s for
something as simple as what to get for lunch. Practicing
collaboration helps students understand how to address a
problem, pitch solutions, and decide the best course of
action.
3. Collaboration
It’s also helpful for them to learn that other people
don’t always have the same ideas that they do. In fact, as
students practice collaboration more and more, they’ll learn
that they have almost none of the same ideas that others
do.
This can affect students in one of two ways.
First, it could discourage them since nobody seems to agree
with them that often. Second, it could embolden them
because they realize they’re bringing something unique to
every conversation.
3. Collaboration
As a teacher, it’s crucial that you encourage
students to look at themselves through that second lens.
That way, students learn that they should speak up when
they have an idea. They may not be on the money 100%
of the time — and some of their peers may have strong,
opinionated reactions
— but it’ll teach them to speak up when they’re working
with others.
4. Communication
Communication is the practice of conveying ideas
quickly and clearly. It is often taken for granted in today’s
society. After all, if you say something that means you convey
an idea.
In the age of text-based communications — SMS,
emails, social media, etc. — it’s never been more important
for students to learn how to convey their thoughts in a way
that others can understand them. That’s because text-based
communications lack tone, which is critical to understanding
the context of someone’s words.
4. Communication
Still, even in situations where vocal tone is
available, students need to learn how to communicate
effectively. That includes minimizing tangents, speaking
directly to an idea, and checking other participants to make
sure they’re engaged.
Reading an audience — even if it’s just two other
people in a group discussion — lets students determine
whether they should keep expanding on an idea or wrap up
their point. Their audience could even be their family at
thanksgiving dinner.
4. Communication
The point is that as students practice
communication, they become better at efficiently
conveying an idea without losing their point “in the
weeds,” so to speak. With communication locked down,
students can streamline their ideas and make a positive
impression on those around them. Still, it’s important to
note that communication isn’t enough on its own to help
students with 21st Century skills. To really succeed,
students need to use all four of these skills together.
 The four C’s of 21st Century skills let students
create a whole that’s greater than the sum of its parts.
That may sound overly- generalized, and you may be
right. But the skills themselves are so general that it’s
difficult to pin down what, why, or how students should
learn the four C’s. It’s most accurate to say that students
need the four C’s for any and every reason.
 Critical thinking teaches
students to question claims and
seek truth.
 Creativity teaches students to
think in a way that’s unique to
them.
 Collaboration teaches students that
groups can create something bigger
and better than you can on your own.
Communication teaches students how
to efficiently convey ideas.
Combined, the four C’s empower
students to become one-person think
tanks. Then, when those students get
together, they can achieve almost
anything!
 The Adaptor
The 21st Century teacher is an adaptor. Harnessed as we are to an
assessment focused education model the 21st Century Educator must be able to
adapt the curriculum and the requirements to teach to the curriculum in
imaginative ways.
They must also be able to adapt software and hardware designed for a
business model into tools utilizable by a variety of age groups and abilities.
They must also be able to adapt to a dynamic teaching experience.
When it all goes wrong in the middle of a class, when the technologies fail, the
show must go on.
As an educator, we must understand and apply different learning styles. we must
be able to adapt our teaching style to be inclusive of different modes of learning.
 The Communicator
“Anywhere, anytime” learning is a catchphrase we hear
often. Usually its paired with “life learner”. To have anywhere
anytime learning, the teacher to must be anywhere and anytime. It
does not have to be the same teacher, but the 21st Century teacher
is a communicator. They are fluent in tools and technologies that
enable communication and collaboration. They go beyond
learning just how to do it, they also know how to facilitate it,
stimulate and control it, moderate and manage it.
 The Learner
We expect our students to be life long learners. How many schools
have the phrase “life long learners” in there mission statements and
objectives. We too must continue to absorb experiences and knowledge. We
must endeavour to stay current. I wonder how many people are still using
their lesson and unit plans from 5 years ago.
Information technology and certainly in many of the sciences,
especially the life sciences; knowledge, understanding and technology are
fluid and dynamic, they are evolving and changing.
To be a teacher here you must change and learn as the horizons and
landscape changes. The 21st Century teacher or educator must learn and
adapt.
 The Visionary
Imagination, a key component of adaptability, is a crucial
component of the educator of today and tomorrow. They must see the
potential in the emerging tools and web technologies, grasp these and
manipulate them to serve their needs. If we look at the technologies we
currently see emerging, how many are developed for education?
The visionary teacher can look at others ideas and envisage how
they would use these in their class.The visionary also looks across the
disciplines and through the curricula. They can make links that reinforce and
value learning in other areas, and leverage other fields to reinforce their own
teaching and the learning of their students.
 The Leader.
Whether they are a champion of the process of ICT
integration or the quiet technology coach, the ICT Trainer and a
teacher leading by example; A maverick or early adopter the 21st
Century Educator is a leader.
Leadership, like clear goals and objectives crucial to the
success or failure of any project.
 The Model
We must model the behaviors that we expect from our students.
Today and tomorrow more so, there is an expectation that teachers will teach
values.
We, are often the most consistent part of our student life.
Teachers will see the students more often, for longer and more reliably than
their parents. This is not a criticism of the parents rather a reflection. The 21st
Century educator also models reflective practice, whether its the quiet, personal
inspection of their teaching and learning, or through reflective practice via
blogs, twitter and other medium, these educators look both inwards and
outwards.
These teachers also model a number of other characteristics.
These are not necessarily associated with ICT or the curriculum, but are of
equal importance.
 The Collaborator
Ning, Blogger, Wikispaces, Bebo, MSN, MySpace, Second life -
as an educator we must be able to leverage these collaborative tools to
enhance and captivate our learners. We too, must be collaborators; sharing,
contributing, adapting and inventing.
Technology allows collaboration between teachers and students.
Creating digital resources, presentations, and projects together with other
educators and students will make classroom activities resemble the real
world. Collaboration should go beyond sharing documents via email or
creating PowerPoint presentations. Many great ideas never go beyond a
conversation or paper copy, which is a great loss. Collaboration globally can
change our entire experience.
 The Risk taker
How can you as an educator know all these things? How can
you teach them how to use them… There are so many, so much to
learn. You must take risks and some times surrender yourself to the
students knowledge. Have a vision of what you want and what the
technology can achieve, identify the goals and facilitate the learning.
Use the strengths of the digital natives to understand and navigate
new products, have the students teach each other. The learning
pyramid shows that the highest retention of knowledge comes from
teaching others. Trust your students.
Thank you
for
Listening