Adult Pre-Service Teachers Applying 21st Century Skills in the Practice

Abstract

In this research we present how a group of Finnish adult preservice teachers (n=21) incorporated 21 st CS through their methods of working instructional methods in the final practicum in autumn 2013. The research material consists of pre-service teacher's practicum plans, taped lessons and written practicum synthesis. The nature of teaching has changed significantly during the past decades, as a result of which teaching has never been more difficult or more important. This is a challenge also for teacher education programs. The adult teacher education program at Kokkola University Consortium Chydenius focuses on developing 21 st century skills (21 st CS) to enhance the use of technology, to support critical thinking and problem solving, and to enable collaboration and creativity during studies. Our curriculum is designed to produce deep understanding and authentic application of 21 st CS in all practicums. Because Finnish teachers are free to choose their methods, it is important that pre-service teachers are aware of 21 st CS. The current Finnish national curriculum includes some 21 st CS, such as learning through peer interaction, helping students (= pre-service teachers) take responsibility for their learning, and helping them develop strategies for applying skills in novel situations. At the moment, Finland is in the midst of a curriculum reform that includes consideration of adopting 21 st CS more clearly in learning situations. We found that 21 st CS were taken into account in planning learning environments, but how to apply 21 st CS in classroom demanded deeper understanding and abilities of applying these skills in practice.

Pre-service Teachers’ Opinions about the Use of 21st Century Learner and 21st Century Teacher Skills

“…According to Valtonen et al (2017), teachers are expected to be familiar with the various pedagogical approaches and appropriate ways to make use of information and communication technologies in promoting the development of their students' 21 st century skills. According to Valli, Perkkilä and Valli (2014), teachers should have adequate understanding of the development and implementation of 21 st century skills. Teacher training, which has an important role in the training of the teachers of future, plays an important role in the inculcation of knowledge and competencies required for the acquisition of these skills by teachers.…”

RANDAI Learning Model to Enhance Pre-Service Biology Teachers' Critical Thinking Skills

“…Therefore, they are expected to own the knowledge and skills to think critically in facing and understanding the challenges of society changes (Valli & Buese, 2007). To become a reliable facilitator, training in critical thinking skills needs to be carried out for pre-service biology teachers (Nessipbayeva, 2012), to teach analytical skills, to create changes, to produce learning creativity and innovations (Valli, Perkkilä, & Valli, 2014) and to master technology and information (Cretu, 2017) to enter the professional world (Suwono et al, 2017). Pre-service teachers must be competent in critical thinking since education basically aims to support the development of students' critical and creative organizing and problem-solving abilities (Serin, 2013).…”

Preparing Pre-service Teachers for 21st Century Skills Education

“…These issues reflect shortcomings in the design of preservice teacher training as well as in teacher educators' knowledge base in connection with teaching 21 st CS. Many aspects of the teacher preparation process have been the subject of a number of research articles, for example, teachers' incorporation of 21 st CS into their classroom practices (Valli et al, 2014); teachers' perceptions of efforts at incorporating 21 st CS in teacher education (Manik & Shareef, 2014); and the evaluation of 21 st CS (Silva, 2009). The scope of the current study focuses on pedagogical preparation-an area of the overall model that deals with preparing preservice teachers to cultivate the 21 st CS.…”