Teaching and Learning in 21st Century

Running head: TEACHING AND LEARNING IN 21ST CENTURY
TEACHING AND LEARNING IN 21ST CENTURY
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1TEACHING AND LEARNING IN 21ST CENTURY
In this 21st century, the world is rapidly changing and is becoming progressively
complex due to the constant increase in the flow of information which is becoming more and
more accessible with each passing day (Crystal, 2013). This paper will provide a clear
understanding of the continuous changes that is taking place in this 21st century in the field of
teaching and learning. It shall briefly elaborate on demonstrating the trends of 21st century
teaching and learning process and shall also provide the key factors that are changing the
education in the present era. With the same, the paper shall also shed light on how different
social changes and globalisation are influencing education.
The term “21st century” is basically concerned with certain key competencies like
digital literacy, collaboration, problem solving and critical thinking. It advocates and believe
that schools need to teach in order to help the learners thrive in this world of 21st century.
This world is extremely different than it was a few years back. The people in this world, the
various cultures, the economies, all have become totally connected and is driven by the low-
cost telecommunication technology, new and unique innovations and most importantly, the
internet. Computer is the most important element in this modern era to become a successful
student as all the necessary information is accessible online (Daniel, 2015). Multi-tasking has
become a common trend. The fact that multitasking cannot be done by some people, does not
mean that it cannot be done by anyone. Today, students are learning differently than before.
The teachers are teaching differently than before. Education has changed now. This 21st
century allow the students to become both the recipients and the creators of knowledge and
information. This makes them prepared for a new type of workplace of the future- the
technology-rich and fast paced workplace.
It is eighteen years into this new millennium and the educators are continuously
debating on what is making a teacher or an educator effective in this 21st century. There are
some who would say that the former or the traditional methods of teaching have stood the test

2TEACHING AND LEARNING IN 21ST CENTURY
of time and is continuously the best practices of all. While the others believe that 21st century
has brought with it a new paradigm shift in the process of learning, which needs new skills
and approaches to teaching. It is to note that the 20th century education used to provide a
teacher centred classroom that had compartmentalised curriculum and the learners working
independently for memorising the facts (Garcia & Wei, 2014). The educators used to operate
as “sage on the stage”, the knowledge giver. The students used to sit at the desks in the neat
rows and in upper grade classrooms, they used to move from one classroom to another with
the sound of a bell. Such form of education used to work well for the industrialized nations as
well as the world which used to depend on the standardised products.
However, the world has changed immensely in the last 20 years. Digital technology
has completely revolutionised collaboration and communication opportunities. Change is
taking place at a fast speed. The critical and divergent thinkers are contributing to the world
of information and knowledge. This world has become more dependent than ever on the field
of knowledge workers who could solve problems. Such a change demand a change in the
process of education. Education in this 21st century is promoting a student centred classroom
along with collaborative, authentic and relevant project based learning (Paiva et al., 2016).
The teachers are operating as “guide on the side”, the learning facilitator. The students now
sit in informal ways or in several learning groups. The classrooms today, are also spaced
around a learning centre where the students could freely move so as to gather knowledge and
information for solving problems. Such a form of education is sincerely necessary in a world
which is changing continuously and that, is connected and connecting globally.
It is also to mention that the education in this 21st century is also dealing with
accelerating the changes in the global economy, the rapid growth of communication and
information technologies, the necessity of the young people, the necessity of remaining
competitive both internationally and domestically and the ever increased visibility of the