The Progressive Teacher Vol 04 Issue 03

new trends
–Padmini Sriraman
The word learning has taken
on a greater meaning
and significance with the
realization that the wisest mind
has always something to learn,
while people always thought
of learning as being confined
to academic endeavors. In the
process of learning, learners
absorb knowledge from every
possible source and at every
opportunity. Today’s students
must learn to collaborate,
communicate and solve problems.
However, the gap between the
skills people learn and the skills
people need is becoming more
obvious, as traditional learning
falls short of equipping students
with the knowledge they need to
live with.
The present day generation is
getting smarter day by day.
Most parents and teachers
find themselves at a loss when
faced with bold and intelligent
questions from students. With
technology and social media
taking our society by storm, kids
of all age groups today are much
more informed on various aspects
of life than ever before. They are
inquisitive and intelligent.
Against this backdrop, the
question that parents and
teachers need to ask themselves
is whether they are focusing
on building the children’s
abilities and skills to meet their
expectations?
Are the parents restricting the
children rather than taking them
to higher levels of learning and
joy?
21st century curriculum must
include, in addition to the
standard core subjects, important
areas of study such as global
awareness, civic literacy, etc.,
and skills such as ICT literacy,
critical thinking, problem-solving
and life skills.
Teachers play a significant role
in helping students develop
21st century skills by applying
methods that increase students’
capabilities. They should use
innovative strategies and modern
learning technologies that help
integrate cognitive and social
skills with content knowledge
as well as increase student
participation in the learning
environment in order to promote
skills.
There are many strategies that
enhance both learning content
and developing skills.
Today, teachers should give
students the opportunity to
engage in various activities such
‘Man often becomes what he believes himself to be. If I keep on saying
to myself that I cannot do a certain thing, it is possible that I may end by
really becoming incapable of doing it. On the contrary, if I have the belief
that I can do it, I shall surely acquire the capacity and skill to do it even if
I may not have it at the beginning.’ –Mahatma Gandhi
as projects, problems, design
and research-based learning that
promote cooperative learning.
In these activities, students
work together which increases
their participation, achievement
and motivation to learn.
Consequently, collaborative
learning allows students to
contribute different degrees of
prior knowledge, abilities and
aptitudes. The 21st century
skills are a set of abilities that
students need to develop in order
to succeed in the information age
of today.
Let us look at the 21st-century
skills that every student needs to
survive and succeed in our world.
The students want to be
challenged and inspired in
their learning. They want to
collaborate and work with their
peers. They want to incorporate
the technology they love into
their classroom experiences
as much as they can. Hence,
preparing a child to face the
world is not an easy task for
any teacher. Many of these
skills are also associated within
depth learning, such as analytic
reasoning, complex problem
solving, and teamwork.
These skills differ from
traditional academic skills which
are primarily content –based.The
set of skills we need to focus on
is to successfully develop lifelong
learning.
They are many and varied and a
few are listed below:
Problem solving skills:
Padmini Sriraman is presently working as the Principal of The Hindu
Senior Secondary School Chennai. She is double M.A in Economics and
History and also holds M.Ed. and.M.Phil.degrees.
She has written social studies books for Classes 6, 7 and 8 and EVS
for Classes 1 to 5. She has conducted Workshops in Social Science,
EVS, Classroom Management, etc. in various states in India, and at
Dubai and Doha She is a recipient of the CBSE National Award from the
Government of India in the year 2012, and of the First Financial Literacy
Award instituted by Eduheal Foundation and Bombay Stock Exchange,
plus other recognitions from various institutions.
Her personal vision is to create a positive impact and motivate everyone with a ‘can do and
never give up’ attitude. She is qualified in Carnatic music and veena, in painting and drawing,
and was a basketball player during school and college days.
6 The Progressive Teacher Jul/Aug 2017