Communication, collaboration, critical thinking, and creativity are considered the 4C's of 21st century learning and teaching. These four skills are critical to our students succeeding in todays world.

So how can you incorporate these into your classroom?

Communication - sharing thoughts, ideas and questions

• Introducing the use of BYOD classrooms, where students bring their own device; laptop, iPad, tablet, to school and use platforms such as Google Classroom or Seesaw. Teaching the students to be safe and responsible on the Internet is important

• Using different apps such as Flipgrid, Jamboard, and Mote for students to share their learning

Collaboration - working together to reach a common goal

• Connected classrooms – have a smartboard or one you can connect with a camera, to communicate with other classes around the world and begin to collaborate

• Sharing the WALT, WILF with your students at the beginning of the lesson - We Are Learning To… and What Am I Looking For? so you are all working towards the same goal

Critical thinking - looking at problems in a new way

• Start the day with a WODB - ‘which one doesn’t belong?

• Incorporate sites such as Brainzilla, A Google A Day, or FunBrain

• Consider using some of these approaches in the classroom from my blog post - Critical and Creative Thinking In The Classroom

Creativity - trying new approaches to solve problems

• Trailed a flipped classroom – students researching and preparing information to teach their peers under your guidance

• Developing future-focused skills in our students such as students driving the lessons, using inquiry units. This then assists our learners to developing skills to be critical thinkers

For those of us teaching in the 21st century; not only do we have to incorporate the 4C’s in to our teaching but also all the exciting new technology that we have to get our heads around first before teaching or using it with our students.

It is important that teachers;

• Don’t get overwhelmed by new technology. Pick one thing you want to try first. Start small. Once you have success and can implement it easily in the classroom try incorporating something else. Do not try to take on too much at once

• Have a play around first, try to get your head around it before asking your students to do it. Prepare, get professional development around it if needed. Have strict guidelines around what children should be on during the class time. Make your expectations crystal clear. E.g. when you are giving instructions, devices are closed. Devices must come charged to school, no charges at school.

• Share student learning digitally whether it is through an app such as Seesaw or ClassDojo on a school Facebook page. Parents love to be in the loop

• Create your own ‘personal learning network’ where you can connect with teachers, admins or other students from around the world. This opens up a new world for you to ask your questions, and connect with others are in a similar position. Update your Twitter stream, connect on LinkedIn…

• Paper and pencil is still okay. Not everything has to be online. Work out where technology fits in with education do not make education fit the technology

• Don’t rush your lessons just because you have so much to fit into your day. Slow down and catch your breath. Make each lesson count

• Know when to disconnect and take some time out. You do not want to become burned out

Empower your students and your fellow teachers with these skills. Set your students up for a successful future.

What other skills do you think a modern teacher or learners must have? We would love it if you joined the conversation and left a comment below.