Curriculum And Education For The 21St Century

By Allyson Burke


Providing all students with a solid foundation and Education for the 21st Century, will give them the best opportunity to flourish in a world that is constantly changing. The children of today have to have a deeper understanding and knowledge about a variety of key learning areas than ever before. Teachers have to teach differently in order to cater for student needs and allow students the opportunity for critical thinking. Knowledge, skills, behaviors and general capabilities is the key and development will ensure that these students can function in a world where knowledge is easily accessible and constantly changing.

School children will continue with the basics in Literacy and Numeracy however they will also require learning that will reflect the contemporary issues that will be faced as they grow older. Some of these issues may include heritage and culture, building strong relationships with Asian countries and sustainability. A child that is exposed to these issues and can discuss them critically will be well equipped to deal with working and functioning in the 21st Century.

Meeting the needs of students can be assisted by including general capabilities in the curriculum. Current systems, curriculum and policies will need to be changed in order to achieve this. Helping learners to develop positive relationships, improve their work habits and to know how to manage and understand themselves involves exposing students to personal and social capabilities. This exposure will also assist with the expression of opinions and beliefs, with the ability to deliver these confidently in a range of social contexts.

Information and Communication Technologies is an area that has undergone rapid change. The way information is accessed, received and processed is constantly changing and will also differ from one child to the next. Providing a curriculum that encompasses this change as well as individual differences in ability and learning styles is crucial when it comes to progress and achievement.

Expressing confidence and self-worth and also being able to develop relationships that are healthy and positive is important. The ability to do so can be achieved when students are exposed to perspectives that differ to their own, a variety of country studies, and how things have changed since the past. A difference and diversity capability will cover areas such as this and will help to increase positivity and aims to inform.

The changing role of the teacher brings with it much responsibility and high achievement and reporting expectations. Starting with what the student knows already, understanding how they learn and using this to plan learning will help to meet these expectations. To thrive and achieve success, understanding the needs of the child has become pivotal.

School culture has to embrace change to cater for staff as well. Staff needs to undergo training and development in order to understand and implement any changes in the curriculum. They will need to be provided with opportunities to discuss curriculum aspects with colleagues and to trial best classroom practice.

Education for the 21st Century learner will help to develop well-rounded citizens who are able to cope with the demands that future society will place on them. This will not be limited to simple Literacy and Numeracy skills but will encompass a variety of additional threads. Building knowledge, understanding, capabilities and skills will become extremely important.




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