Is Your School a 21st Century School?

The world is constantly changing. There’s no getting around it. Skills required to function 50 years ago are no longer as applicable. We no longer wash clothes with our hands, items can be made and stored for longer periods of time, telegraphs and faxes have gone right out of the window. It stands to reason, then, that the world of tomorrow will see a whole host of changes: jobs we’d never imagined will become increasingly relevant, and perhaps jobs like those of drivers, postal workers, telemarketers, etc. will turn obsolete.

In such a changing scenario, it makes sense for schools to reevaluate what and how they teach their students. After all, the purpose of schools is to ultimately prepare students to survive and succeed in the world they enter after completing their education. So how are schools and classrooms evolving to meet the changing needs to society? And more importantly, what exactly are the changing needs of the society?

For starters, the 21^st century requires a very specific skill set from the productive members of its society. With the world’s information available at our fingertips (thanks for that, by the way, Google) we need to turn our attention to precisely what students need to learn now that the concept of rote memorization is no longer valid. This skill set can be summed up as the 4 Cs of 21^st century learning:

• Communication
• Collaboration
• Critical thinking
• Creativity

This skill set equips students to succeed in adaption – learning how to learn. This can only happen once they develop higher order thinking skills, effective communication with their peers and a strong command over technology. They need to learn to inquire and collaborate within a miniature model of the real world they will go on to experience. Teachers, too, need to adapt to this change. Instead of imparters of knowledge, teachers are now facilitators who help guide students through their schooling journey.

Introducing technology in classrooms is the first step towards becoming a 21^st century school. Technology in this case isn’t limited to a particular tool. It could be introduced in the form of tablets, laptops, mobile devices, interactive whiteboards, just to name a few. Classrooms of this era are driven by students’ interests, and technology provides the means to stimulate their curiosity and inspire within them the desire to learn. These devices put information at their fingertips, allowing them to research, discover, and experience at their own pace, supporting inclusivity in classrooms, as well.

Not only does proper technology integration support the 4 Cs of 21^st century learning and keep students engaged in learning for extended periods of time, it also prepares students for a world that predominantly functions through technology. But with that, educators must keep in mind the necessity of selecting the correct resources that meet the needs of their students. Technology is a means of imparting the appropriate knowledge to students. Without contextually-relevant, age-appropriate content that caters to the needs of students, technology is much like a blackboard wiped clean, or worse, scribbled over with inappropriate or incorrect lessons. So what can you do?

Become a 21^st Century School with Muse

Muse is a seriously-fun digital learning solution that makes lessons engaging and increases student performance. With over 1,500 digital lessons and practice exercises for Math, Urdu, Science and English from KG to grade 5, covering all major topics, Muse Lessons and suggested activities empower teachers to build 21^st century skills in students with a special focus on communication, creativity, critical thinking and collaboration.

How Muse works

We help schools integrate a comprehensive and tested digital curriculum for primary grades that increases student engagement and achievement scores. Muse helps teachers deliver engaging lessons using Muse apps either on tablets or LED TVs, approximately twice per week. Schools have flexible options to subscribe to Muse apps.

Limited Time Offer: Become a 21^st century school by subscribing to Muse and receive 5 free tablets for your school!

Sign up here!