Integrating 21st-Century Skills into the General Curriculum: Evidence from Public Schools in Alabama

Areej Ahmed ,Dianne M Gut

doi:10.7176/jep/11-12-01

Abstract

In the last century, humanity witnessed a drastic change from an agrarian society to a manufacturing culture; now the world is experiencing the same type of change, but with more complexity toward a society based on information. Concerned educators and citizens have acknowledged the future of competitive global economics that the current generation is moving towards. A call has been put forth for policy makers, administrators, and educators to collaborate in designing a curriculum that will prepare students to build the skills required for the new century. The current study expands the view by revealing the voices of students and reporting students’ ratings of their own 21 st century skills. Students in three public schools in rural Alabama in grades 3-6 rated their abilities and enjoyment in using 21 st century skills. Findings can help educators address the gap between the current school curriculum and the needed skills for the 21 st century, as well as determine how prepared children in low-resource schools are to face the challenges of the new century. Keywords: 21 st century skills, assessment, standards. DOI: 10.7176/JEP/11-12-01 Publication date: April 30 th 2020

Highlights

Philosophers and educators, such as Plato, Socrates, and Dewey have proposed many aims of education and suggest that the purpose of education is to produce knowledge, enhance understanding of human beings, improve peoples’ morals and thinking, and their actions (Nodding, 2009)
Dede (2010) posited that 21st century skills have emerged to meet the need of the sophisticated future
As part of a larger study focusing on the development of STEM-related content knowledge, standards, and outcomes associated with space, rocketry, and space shuttle missions, 425 surveys were completed by 3rd-6th graders attending four public schools in rural Alabama randomly selected from the seven schools engaged in grantsponsored Adventure to Space Week activities provided by the staff of the U.S Space and Rocket Center in www.iiste.org

Summary

Introduction

Philosophers and educators, such as Plato, Socrates, and Dewey have proposed many aims of education and suggest that the purpose of education is to produce knowledge, enhance understanding of human beings, improve peoples’ morals and thinking, and their actions (Nodding, 2009). The role of education is still a critical matter, ; educators and policymakers need to rethink the role of education and educational institutions in P-12 schools, colleges, and universities worldwide. This reconsideration is essential to prepare students with skills that meet the needs for this sophisticated, complex and demanding century. Dede (2010) posited that 21st century skills have emerged to meet the need of the sophisticated future. Are students equipped with skills needed by the workforce? In 2008, these leaders expressed their concerns and raised questions whether the new graduates from schools and universities are ready to work in the digital age (Griffi & Care, 2015)

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