REVISITING 4 C’S OF 21ST CENTURY SKILLS
ALEN M. TIGLAO
“You can’t take on 21st century tasks with 20th century tools and hope to get the job done,” as Cathy N. Davidson quoted from her statement. As we live in technology-driven world and encompasses with rapid changes, we cannot control nor stop these developments. The 21st century classroom is about learning, we have moved from the scene “teachers telling to students doing”. But we build the four corners as place for learners as content producers not just mere consumers. We often enter path without knowing the goals and the competencies that should be planted and inculcated in the holistic development of learners. Then, we shall visit the 4 C’s of 21st century skills.
Communication is about sharing thoughts, ideas, concepts and solutions. With the aid of technology it becomes easier and convenient to start conversation with other people. But developing communication skills is not merely the availability of gadget but how we deliver our message effectively. Communication varies in spoken language and the written text. In speech, students should develop oral language fluency, posture, public speaking knacks and even building self-image. While, the written text covers the knowledge in grammatical structure and linguistic background of the language being used. But the main concern is how teacher can develop effective and vivid communi cat i on.
Collaboration is about working together to reach a goal, putting talents, exerting efforts and building harmonious relationship to one desire. Learners should develop this skills in order for them to strengthen not only their teamwork but also the sense of belongingness. In this manner, they can actually express their opinions and brainstorm their ideas to his/her colleague to form an authentic concept.
Critical thinking is looking at problems in a new perspective and linking learning across all subject areas. It has been an essential skill in every profession. It makes the learners to have a wide analysis of ideas and putting it in a concrete and contextual notions. For teachers, Higher Order Thinking Skills (HOTS) must be given consideration in the teaching-learning process so, to stimulate the critical thinking of the students. It should also be assimilated in real-world or contemporary life situations addressing to the authentic solution.
Creativity is trying things in a new, innovated and reinvented ways. Creativity does not only govern on color harmony but it is the way students craft their works. Learners can be creative in different ways by simply unfolding their talents and abilities and transform it into useful skills. Innovative aptitudes can generate upgraded and genuine ideas that can be shared. Even teachers can also be creative in their own ways.
The 21st Century Learning must attain a globally competitive, functionally literate and product-driven learners.
— oOo— The author is SST I at San Pedro National High School