Development of 21st-Century Skills and Competencies in High School Students Through the Interactive E-Books Creation

Abstract

Currently, the need to prepare students for the challenges of the 21st-Century is being recognized, referred to as Education 4.0. This paradigm aims to redefine the education model by fostering the development of 21st-Century skills and competencies, such as problem-solving, creativity, collaboration, communication, and learning to learn. Therefore, this article explores the uses of the Teacher Assistance Educational Process (TAEP4.0) in a real educational scenario. TAEP4.0 is a student-centered process inspired by Education 4.0, which assists teachers in creating projects in the Informatics Lab. The TAEP4.0 process was implemented through a case study focused on fostering 21st-Century skills and competencies among High School students, using the Book Creator platform for interactive e-book creation projects. TAEP4.0 consists of a series of steps that include suggested activities, tools, and support materials. However, teachers have the flexibility to adapt the TAEP4.0 process, exercising their creativity and making decisions regarding project elements, such as the choice of Information and Communication Technology (ICTs) for project creation and monitoring, with the aim of promoting skills and competencies. In this case study, five classes of two High School teachers participated, involving a total of 189 students in the projects. The data collected were analyzed both quantitatively and qualitatively. During the projects, students engaged in activities and reported difficulties, primarily related to communication and teamwork. This feedback enables teachers to gain insight into students' challenges in applying the necessary skills to produce a project. Such evidence can assist teachers in addressing these issues in the future, allowing for project reuse and the creation of new projects that focus on improving specific skills and competencies.