Learning continues to evolve from year to year. This is useful for creating new innovations that meet the needs of the times. In the 21st century, the government and related stakeholders continue to strive to create a teaching model that is suitable for the challenges and needs of the times. This will impact learners to face global challenges and needs.
Learning
One very important thing in life is education, especially in the current era of digitalization. The world of education must quickly adapt to the rapid development of technology to offer innovative teaching methods so that students can more easily understand lessons. With an increasingly wide-ranging role, characterful teachers are needed due to the rapid and sophisticated advancements in science and technology in the era of globalization.
The tremendous changes in nature and the rapid progress of science and technology themselves will almost certainly destroy countries whose societies are unprepared.
21st Century Learning
Every citizen must have the ability to respond to the demands of the times if they want to play a meaningful role in this 21st-century era of globalization. 21st-century learning is a transition in learning. The curriculum designed by schools encourages a shift from teacher-centered learning approaches to a focus on students.
This is in line with the needs of learners in the future who require critical thinking and learning abilities. Problem-solving, critical thinking, collaboration, and communication are some of the skills.
The 4C Concept of 21st Century Learning
There is a concept of 21st-century learning, which involves using the 4Cs: Critical Thinking and Problem Solving, Collaboration, Creativity and Innovation, and Communication. Here’s an explanation:
1. Critical Thinking and Problem Solving
Critical thinking is the ability to express opinions in an organized way; it is the ability to systematically evaluate the strengths of your own and others’ opinions; solve problems; persuade; conduct scientific research; and other mental activities.
Critical thinking is essentially an active process of thinking about many things, asking questions, and finding relevant information for oneself rather than accepting information from others.
Through this idea, students learn to solve problems and create solutions for society and individuals. Problem-based learning, collaborative learning, learning to ask questions, and high-level thinking skills are all roles played by students in the application of modern learning.
2. Collaboration
Collaboration is the activity of working together with one or more people in a group to achieve mutually set goals. It is important to be implemented in the learning process so that children learn to work together with others and are ready to collaborate with anyone in the future. Children will be trained to make the best decisions by working together with others.
The theory of cooperation will encourage students to learn to make groups, adapt, and leadership. The goal of this cooperation is for learners to better collaborate with others, better understand others, and be more prepared to accept different opinions.
Another benefit of this collaboration is to teach learners to be responsible, adapt to their community and environment, and set high goals for groups and individuals.
3. Creativity and Innovation
Smart children drawing or stringing words together are not always considered creative. Creativity, on the other hand, can also be defined as the ability to think creatively without being limited by existing rules. Creative children have the ability to consider a problem from various perspectives and see it from different angles. Thus, they will be more open to solving problems.
According to this idea, learners are expected to be accustomed to doing what they think and explaining what they think. To get reactions from classmates, this idea must be conveyed openly.
This activity has the potential to open students’ perspectives and expose them to all available perspectives.
4. Communication
Communication is defined as a child’s ability to convey their thoughts quickly, easily understood, and effectively. This ability consists of several additional skills, such as precise language skills, understanding context, and the ability to read the audience to ensure their message is delivered.
In this situation, learners are asked to master, organize, and build good and correct communication orally, in writing, and multimedia. They are also given time to use their skills in various contexts, such as conveying ideas, discussing, and problem-solving.
21st Century Learning Models
With contemporary learning models considered to integrate technology and applicable to various age levels, educational levels, and fields of study, educators can adapt to school conditions. It is very important for teachers in this century to implement STEM approaches to learning.
Therefore, teachers in this century must be more innovative and creative in developing learning approaches.
Furthermore, teachers often use these techniques in learning practices:
1. Student-Centered
Learning is centered on students and follows students’ interests and abilities. Teachers tend to act as facilitators.
2. Game-Based Learning
Game-based learning is a fun learning approach that makes students more interested in learning. In addition, students have the opportunity to learn while playing, which makes them more relaxed and less stressed.
Learning methods that use games or games as tools to teach subject matter. In this method, students will use games as a way to learn certain concepts. The games used can be online games, mobile games, or games created specifically for learning purposes.
3. Flipped Classroom
A learning method where teachers provide material before class starts and students can learn it outside the classroom. In class, students have limited time to talk and complete quizzes or related assignments.
This method focuses on reversing the learning process.
Students will have access to learning materials that can be accessed at home and learned before class meetings. Furthermore, the classroom functions as a place for discussion to solve problems, develop ideas, and collaborate.
This learning method allows students to learn material more flexibly, so they can adjust their learning time with their daily schedules. In addition, because students have to learn the material on their own before entering the classroom, this method also encourages students to be more active in the learning process.
4. Blended Learning
It is a combination of traditional and online learning. Students use a combination of face-to-face and online classes to gain different learning experiences, which can enhance the quality of their learning.
By combining online and face-to-face learning methods, blended learning can overcome the limitations of distance learning and optimize learning outcomes.
Online learning gives students the opportunity to use various learning sources, such as presentations, video conferences, and videos that can be accessed anytime and anywhere.
In addition, face-to-face classes give students the opportunity to interact directly with teachers and classmates, making learning easier.
5. Collaborative Learning
A learning method where students are assigned to work together in groups to solve problems or complete specific tasks. In this approach, students are divided according to their abilities and asked to work together to complete tasks.
By learning together, students are more active in learning because they have to interact with groupmates and talk to each other to complete tasks. They can also learn from the opinions and experiences of their peers, which helps them become more creative and critical thinkers.
As part of the Industry 4.0, which emphasizes a collaborative work culture, this method will train students to work in groups. It can also improve their communication skills and build social relationships.
6. Personalized Learning
A learning method where the learning process is tailored to the needs and learning pace of students. Teachers will observe the learning pace of students and adjust the material or assignments given to their abilities.
Students have different levels of ability and learning pace, so this learning method is very suitable for them.
Customized learning helps students learn better and more effectively because they can learn according to their abilities and needs.
7. Discovery Learning
Discovery learning encourages students to learn by themselves. Students will be trained to learn actively and independently (self-learning). Utilizing existing sources
to dig, investigate, and discover an idea. Critical thinking and problem-solving can also be enhanced with this technique. In addition, students will be encouraged to engage in long-term learning.
8. Project-Based Learning
In the learning process, students can explore ideas, develop ideas, create product prototypes, conduct product tests, and market products. In this process, students can use technology to find information about idea development, make product sketches using certain software, test products using Google surveys, and so on.
The product is the target of the project, and challenging questions help students plan ways to achieve it. Below are examples of questions given to Entrepreneurship Vocational School students about the types of creative products made from local materials that have added economic value.
That was a summary explanation of the application of 21st-century learning innovations.
