21st-century education that responds to the economical, technological, and societal shifts that

are happening at an ever-increasing pace in this complex world. The education structure must
shift focus from examination and rote learning to conceptual clarity, critical thinking, problem-
solving, innovation and creativity in conformity with the goals of the New Education Policy
(NEP-2020). The 21st century education prepares students to succeed in a world where more
than half of the jobs they will have over their career span do not even exist yet. It also prepares
students for an age where artificial intelligence (AI) will be equal to their intelligence by the
time they finish education. In short, it’s an education that provides students with the skills and
competencies they need to thrive in the 21st century.

Deeper learning

In order to impart 21st century education, we must foster deeper learning in every student
through the purposeful integration of rigorous modern academic content with experiences that
intentionally cultivate the 21st century skills such as creativity, critical thinking, communication
and collaboration, mindsets, and literacies needed for students to become lifelong learners and
contributors in our ever-changing world and dynamic workplace.

The ability to think critically and creatively, to collaborate with others, and to communicate
clearly will not only set students up for success in their careers, but also will empowers them to
lead happier, healthier lives.

Experiential learning

Experiential learning i.e. learning by doing is one of the best ways to teach students creative
problem solving. By engaging students in hands-on practical experiments and reflection, they
are better ready to connect theories and knowledge learned within the classroom to world
situations.

Digital technology

New-age students know technology makes lives easier and more convenient. However,
excessive use of technology must be avoided as it may impact adversely the generation of
original ideas, plans and hence creativity in students.

Unfortunately, in India, most students continue to be educated in the same way as they were
learning in the past. Old methods of teaching-learning make little sense to 21st-century
students who learn and think differently, and for whom making use of information is far more
valuable than simply knowing things. Why go to school or college when you could learn the
same information faster by watching a YouTube video or on the internet? Why memorise facts
for a test when you have all the information available just a click away. These are some of the
questions constantly pricking the minds of present-day students.

Innovative teaching methods

Teachers must embrace new ways of teaching and learning like flipped classroom model which
focuses on higher order thinking skills and encourages thinking, innovation and creativity
amongst students. Further, there needs to be more focus on case-studies, project-based and
problem-based learning rather than lecture-based learning. Simply asking questions like ‘what
will my students need twenty or forty years from now? How am I able to assist in giving them
those skills?’ can change teachers’ mindset, make them a pacesetter, and help them cause
change in their classroom, school and community. The teachers need to be empowered in
adopting these modern approaches to teaching through their regular professional
development.

Reforms in assessment pattern

Assessment drives learning and teachers need to be trained through workshops in setting
examination questions that increase out-of-box thinking and creativity. The assessment process
needs to be made more scientific to encourage multiple skills of the students.

Proficiency in ICT skills

New-age teachers also need to become tech-savvy and understand their changing roles as
mentors or coaches rather than merely knowledge providers. With the popularity of online
education and the rise of virtual universities in India soon, teachers need to become proficient
in the development of MOOCs, management of the virtual classroom and discussion forum.
Technology in the hands of a great teacher can be highly transformational. Teachers need to be
empowered as facilitators and motivators for learning so that they can empower their students
in turn. The quality of an educational system cannot exceed the quality of its teachers and
therefore their regular training is the need of the hour.

(The author is the founding Vice-Chancellor of PDM University, Haryana and Chairman, National
Resource Centre of Chemistry and GAD-TLC of MoE, at SGTB Khalsa College, University of Delhi)