Curricular landscape in

the 21st Century

Classrooms
We live in a society
that has become:
• Current Education has to
be flexible, creative,
● Diverse challenging and complex
● Globalized
● Complex
● Media-saturated

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 The different issues like:

● Globalization of economics and independence on international markets.

● Increased concerns and actions about environmental degradation, water and energy
shortages, global warming, pandemic (HIV, Ebola, etc.)
● Nations competing for power block thus generating conflict but gives opportunities to
build alliances and cooperation.
● Increased global migration and opportunities for working overseas.
● Science and technological revolution.
● Knowledge economy as a generator of wealth and jobs.

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• All of these issues need a curriculum that will address global solutions
to environmental problems and sustainability, cultural diversity, global
conflicts, technology revolution, and science breakthrough.

• Thus an integrative approach to curriculum is absolutely necessary.

There should be unity in core academic subjects where life career skills
are included. Curriculum includes interdisciplinary themes,
development of essential skills for modern pedagogies and
technologies.

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• The curriculum incorporates higher order thinking skills,
multiple intelligences, technology and multimedia and
multiple literacy's of the 21st century skills.

• The 21st century curriculum includes innovation skills,

information and media and ICT literacy

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● The curriculum for this century should inspire and challenge both
the teacher and the learner. These are some of the characteristics
of this curriculum.

It is a curriculum that…

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 Need to develop 21st century skills of learners in the
curriculum
● What are the skills needed by 21st
century learners in order to cope with
the curriculum?
● Will the curriculum likewise develop
these skills too?
● According to the Singapore Ministry
of Education, such clusters of the
competencies are seen in the matrix
beside:

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● On the other hand, Howard Gardner from his book "On Minds
of the Future", sees that the five frames of thinking which
would help in the development of thinking skills.
● Each frame of thinking is attributed to the type of mind the
learner has to use in order to survive the future

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● On the other hand, Howard Gardner
from his book "On Minds of the
Future", sees that the five frames of
thinking which would help in the
development of thinking skills. Each
frame of thinking is attributed to the
type of mind the learner has to use in
order to survive the future

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 Lastly, Tony Wagner in his book "The Global Achievement
Gap "mentioned the seven survival skills for the 21st century
curriculum.

● Critical Thinking and Problem Solving

● Collaboration Across Networks and Leading by Influence.
● Agility and Adaptability
● Initiative and Entrepreneurship
● Effective Oral and Written Communication
● Accessing and Analyzing Information
● Curiosity and Imagination

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