Lesson 2 The 215 Century Teacher ~ Brenda B, Corpur, Ph.D. ~ Gloria G. Solandanan, Ph.D. “If we teach today as we taught yesterday we rob our children of tomorrow.” John Dewey Phin Derry The 21* Century Skills ‘0 Temain relevant and interesting, the teacher must possess 21* century skills. The 21* century skills can be categorized into four (4), namely: 1) communication skills, 2) learning and innovation skills, 3) information, media and technology skills, and 4) life and career skills. A teacher must possess them in order to survive in this 21" century and be able to contribute to the development of 21* century leamers, Under each of these four (4) clusters of 21* century skills are specific skills. Effective communication skills include 1) teaming, 2) collaboration, 3) interpersonal skills 4) local, national and global orientedness); and 5) interactive communication. The learning and innovation skills are the 3 Cs namely: 1) creativity, 2) curiosity, 3) critical thinking problem solving skills, and 4) risk taking. Life and career skills embrace 1) flexibility and adaptability, 2) leadership and responsibility, 3) social and cross-cultural skills, 4) initiative and self-direction, 5) productivity and accountability, and 6) ethical, moral and spiritual values. Information, media and technology skills are 1) visual and information literacies, 2) media literacy, 3) basic, scientific, economic and technological literacies, and 4) multicultural The first three (3) categories of life skills are self- explanatory, The last category (information, media 'and technology skills) needs further explanation. They are explained below: Visual literacy is the ability to interpret, make meaning from information presented in the form of an image. It is also the ability to evaluate, apply, or create conceptual visual representations, (http:// ¢n.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visual_lteracy) &4 Information literacy is the ability to identify what in; is needed, identify the best sources of information for a given — locate those sources, evaluate the sources critically, and share “ information. Information literacy is most essential in the conduct . Media literacy is the ability to critically analyze the messa that inform, entertain and sell to us every day. It’s the ability , bring critical thinking skills to bear on all forms of media asi pertinent questions about what's there and noticing what’s not there It is the ability to question what lies behind media productions— 1, motives, the money, the values and the ownership— and to be aware of how these factors influence content of media productions. (hp, www.media-awareness.ca/english/teachers/media_literacy/what_is_media_ literacy.cfm) Scientific literacy encompasses written, numerical, and digi) literacy as they pertain to understanding science, its methodology, observations, and theories. Scientific literacy is the knowledge and understanding of scientific concepts and processes required for personal decision making, participation in civic and cultural affairs, and economic productivity. (http://www.literacynet.org/science! scientificliteracy htm!) Economic literacy is the ability to apply basic economic concepts in situations relevant to one’s life. It is about ciltivating a working knowledge of the economic way of thinking — understanding tradeoffs, recognizing the importance of incentives. It encompasses a familiarity with fundamental economic concepts such as market forces or how the monetary system works. (http:/www.econliteracy. org/) What is technological literacy? The US Department of Education (1996) defined technology literacy as “computer skills ining pect ae ok nly Yo ine areasissues/methods/technigy/edIk7 htm) Pw w-nerel.ore/sds Technological literacy is ili . 7 appropriate techaskog ‘on Me ability to! responsibly use * communicate * solve problems * access, manage, integrate, evaluate information to improve leaming in design and create all subject areas~ Effective Communication Skills Learning and Innovation Skills 21* Century Skills Info, Media and Technology Skills Life and Career Skills* acquire lifelong knowledge and skills in the 21st century uled/definition.htm Another way of grouping the 21* century skills is shown below: © Ways of thinking. Creativity, critical thinking, problem- solving, decision-making and leaming © Ways of working. Communication and collaboration * Tools for working. Information and communications technology (ICT) and information literacy * Skills for living in the world. Citizenship, life and career, and personal and social responsibility (http://atc2s.org/ index.php/about/what-are-21 st-century-skills/) Relate these 21" century skills to the characteristics of the 21 century educator presented in the graphic organizer below. 21% Century Skills Life and Career Skills Media and ology Skills ‘Source:http://edorigami.edublogs.org/2008/05/12/2 st-century-teachers/ Are all 21" century skills reflected by the characteristics of the - 21* century teacher? if not, feel free to add to the graphic organizer.