Preparing your child with 21st century learning (PAK-21)

Parents, have you noticed that the kids are doing more projects at school nowadays? This is because schools are now embracing 21st Century Learning.

What is 21st century learning (PAK21) in Malaysian schools context?

21st Century Learning, or Pembelajaran Abad ke-21 (PAK21), refers to the MOE’s initiative which champions a student-centred learning process that is steered by five elements of communication, collaboration, critical thinking, creativity, and values and ethics (4C1V).  PAK21, which was formulated in the second wave of Malaysia Education Blueprint 2013-2025, has been ongoing for three years.

Five Elements of Communication (4C1V)

1. Communication
2. Collaboration
3. Critical Thinking
4. Creativity
5. Values and ethics

As parents we need to understand this initiative so that we can guide and support our children

Teachers are bringing appropriate 21st century (PAK-21) activities to the classroom. Activities that are designed with the 4Cs in mind, take into account that students are practicing communication and collaboration with their peers and teachers in school, and through that they are tasked to think critically.

As an example in Year 6, Science, Chapter 5; the child is learning about ‘The Importance of Keeping a Balanced Ecosystem’. The activity suggestion below acts as a guide to teachers and is taken from Oxford Fajar’s Zoom series.

Oxford Fajar’s Zoom series, both student and teacher edition

Source: Page 39, Zoom Sains Tahun 6 SK 19/20 Panduan Guru

How can we help our kids embrace 21st Century Learning (PAK-21)?

21st Century Learning encourages students to be digitally savvy, be globally aware and engaged as 21st century citizens.

Below are some ways we can help our kids embrace 21st Century Learning.

1. Exposure. One of the ways we can help our children become more globally aware is to talk to them about things that are happening around the world. Read the papers or online news together with them and discuss.

2. Safety. Another very important aspect about 21st Century Learning is the digital aspect. As kids become more digitally savvy,  parents need to educate kids about how to be a responsible digital citizen. As a responsible digital citizen, one must know how to use technology appropriately and operate online safely and knowledgeably. 

3. Culture - As internet opens up borders worldwide, we must teach our kids to be more culturally aware by being more knowledgeable about other cultures and languages. The best time to do this is during the primary school years.

4. Support - As parents we should be aware about what kinds of activities the school is doing to expose the kids to 21st Century Learning. We can help the children by guiding them at home with the given projects and activities. The keyword is guiding and supporting and not doing it for them. 

5. Co-curricular Activities - We can also help our children embrace 21st Century Learning by choosing after school activities or extra co-curricular activities that support 21st Century Learning, eg, Coding programs, Public Speaking, Digital art or other activities that encourage team work, communication, creativity, problem solving and critical thinking.

Parents and schools working together will help our children transition into 21st Century Learning smoothly.