Globalization on a fast track, economy redefined and the way networked communications has exploded, have all resulted in a change. Global economies need educated people as citizens of today and tomorrow. Learning in the 21st century is definitely a lot different from learning in any other century. How can students be prepared to succeed in the 21st century? This is a question of paramount importance to the country’s educators, employers,parents and the public. Our community vibrancy, personal quality of life, economic viability and business competitiveness depends on a well-prepared citizenry and workforce. Education provides the bedrock from which our national and individual prosperity rise together. The education in science and mathematics that students receive from kindergarten through 12th grade forms the foundation of the nation’s scientific,mathematical, and technological literacy. The nation needs a compelling vision for education that will inspire education leaders, teachers, parents and students alike. Today’s education system needs to bridge the gap between what students learn and how they live. Hence, it is very important to prepare students for the challenges of work and life in the 21st century.

“We need to educate our children for their future, not our past.”
– Arthur C. Clarke

This century marks a shift to knowledge based economy resulting in the way…
We work
We communicate
We create, and,
We live

As the current generation of students continue to arrive at college, the rapid changes in technology, the workplace, and the amount of general knowledge available to them creates a need for additional set of competencies. The driving question is: Are we equipping students with the right skills to be successful in the 21st Century?
There is a profound gap between knowledge students learn in schools and the skills they need in typical 21st century communities and workplaces. To successfully face rigorous needs of higher education courses, career challenges and a globally competitive workforce, schools must align classroom atmosphere with real world environment by infusing 21st century skills into their teaching and learning process. Skills such as problem solving, innovation and creativity have become critical in today’s global economy. One needs to understand that the knowledge-based economy cannot flourish without a proper education system. In the 21st century, in order to succeed in school, work and life, the core subjects like English, Mathematics, Science, Arts, Civics, History, Economics , Geography etc. must be expanded to include 21st century subjects such as global awareness, civic literacy, health and wellness, business and entrepreneurial literacy. Traditional teaching is a one-way street, where teachers teach and students learn by rote, with most of the information coming from the teacher. Modern learning theory sees learning as an individual quest for meaning and relevance. Learning needs to move beyond the recall of facts, principles or correct procedures, and into the area of creativity, problem-solving, analysis, or evaluation. It is well known fact that students learn more when they are involved actively in learning than when they are passive recipients of instruction. Therefore teachers need to act as facilitators and partners for teaching and learning, and use flexible teaching strategies to provide an environment wherein learners are comfortable in their learning environment.
Our education system must focus on innovative teaching and learning practices such as inquiry based and project based learning methods etc., so that students connect curricular studies with real life situations, develop higher level thinking skills, work in teams and develop a scientific temperament and attitude. ICT can play a major role in developing such a classroom environment and bringing in a paradigm shift in education practices across the world.

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By KVS Sangathan

Submitted by : Vishal Jain