Essay comparison and

contrast
Comparing 20th century learning and 21st
century learning
• Learning center: Teacher centered vs students centered
• Learning driven: Text-book driven vs research driven (content comes
from student research)
• Learning environment: Learners work in isolation – classroom within 4
walls vs Learners work collaboratively with classmates and others
around the world – the Global Classroom
• Learning Assessment: Print is the primary vehicle of learning and
assessment vs Performances, projects, and multiple forms of media
are used for learning and assessment
introduction
• Background statement: English teaching is now transformed
dramatically due to the advancement of technology. This happens
around the globe including developing countries such as Indonesia. In
the past, English teaching in Indonesia is more teacher-centered, while
now classroom is expected to be more student-centered. However,
there are many teachers who are not aware of these differences
• Thesis statement: it is very important to know about the differences
between 20th century and 21st century English learning.
• Outline statement: these differences can be viewed from learning
center, learning driven, learning environment and learning assessment.
Learning center: Teacher centered vs students centered

• The most obvious difference is the difference in learning

centeredness. In the past, the focus of the learning is centered to the
teacher. It is the teacher that is being the center of attention. It is the
teacher that takes the lead of the lesson. Meanwhile, the students
participate passively in the classroom. The students listen to the
teacher and wait for the teacher instruction. However, in 21st century
classroom it is the students who are the center of the learning. It is
the students who participate more actively and lead the learning
direction. Meanwhile, the teacher facilitates the learning with
meaningful activities. The teacher provides guidance and assistance
during the learning process.
Learning driven :Text-book driven vs
research driven
• Besides the difference in learning center there is also the difference in
learning driven. Learning driven is the way the learning is facilitated. In the
20th century, learning is facilitated by a single textbook which is assigned by
the teacher. This single textbook is the only source of knowledge for the
students. All exercises are taken from this textbook. Unlike 20th century
learning, in the 21st century, learning is driven by research. Research in this
context refers to the information exploration done by the students related
to their learning. This Information exploration can be done through internet
browsing, various book reading, and video viewing. (internet browsing,
students read book, watch you tube) Thus, exercises can be accessed
through various platforms such as quizzes, kahoot, google form, google
classroom, schoology and many more.
Learners work in isolation vs Learners work
collaboratively
• The other difference can be viewed from learning environment. Learning
environment is the situation that can accommodate learning. In the 20th
century, learning is accommodated by working in isolation. The isolation
here means students learn inside the classroom and limited to the
classroom within 4 walls. Thus, all activities are conducted inside the
classroom walls. Whereas, in the 21st century, learning is accommodated
by working collaboration. The collaboration refers to the students work
together to achieve common goal. In addition, students from different
schools, in fact different countries, can work collaboratively. The
advancement of technology allows this international collaboration, which
expands learning beyond classroom walls.
Print is the primary assessment vs Performances,
projects, and multiple forms of assessment
• And the last difference is the difference in terms of learning
assessment. Learning assessment can be understood as the
evaluation to measure students’ progress. In the 20th century,
students are assessed through paper and pencil test by the teacher.
The score is gained from this test to see students’ achievement. On
the other hand, in the 21st century, students are assessed through
multiple ways such as their performance, project, and assignment
completion. This assessment is not only conducted by the teacher but
also by their peers. Through this multiple ways of assessment,
students can gain more feedback.
Closing
• Comparison between 20th and 21st century learning is important to
discuss as many teachers finds the two era of learning similar.
Obviously, the two centuries have major differences. These
differences can be seen from learning center, learning drive, learning
environment and learning assessment. When teacher understand
these differences, they will be able to adjust with the new learning
paradigm. To help them cope with these differences, teachers need to
be critical, innovative and creative in designing their instruction.