CURRICULUM 21: ESSENTIAL EDUCATION for a CHANGING WORLD

2010. Virginia: ASCD

The foremost idea of Curriculum 21: Essential Education for a Changing World is
to prepare the future generations for the cosmic changes involving our world mainly on
the educational system. The book consists of intellections not only coming from one
author but from ten minds who have one goal and that is to open our minds regarding
the educational systemwe are using in this century. They have devoted their careers
towards supporting educational growth and sustainability.The title of the book says it all.
We need a change in our curriculum to be able to meet the prerequisites of our vast
changing world. This is a reminder to the educators to always think of the intellectual
growthof the students. How they not only can accept what is being offered to them but
also to seek for change and growth that would help them be successful in life. How can
we move on if the students are stuck in a traditional way of teaching? This question was
answered in chapter 1. If the professors would use obsolete methods of teaching, then
the students would also think in an old fashioned way. Schools were not designed for
children but they reflected the factory model of organization resulting from the
ascension of industry and economic expansion between 1897 and 1921, which
ultimately was applied to education as well as business. From what I have understood,
It says that the future of the students greatly depends on how well they perform in
school or their grades. Of course, this does not apply to all countries since each country
has its own educational standardization. Nowadays, some countries have systems
wherein students are given examinations and they are sorted based on the results
meaning that that the student has no choice but to take a course based on the area
where he excelled most.We not only need to have a general change in the curriculum

but also a specific one which involves a shift in the structures to productively install a
21st century curriculum. So how can we do this? Chapter 2 until 5 mentioned about
upgrading the curriculum and reinventing the educational structures. To do this, we have
to assess how far we have been left behind or if we have improved a lot.With the advent
of technology, students, by now, should have more access 21 st century educational
tools. They should be more motivated in gaining intellectual knowledge. Before,
educators only have the books, board and a piece of chalk to teach. For me, being in
the 21st century, finds it ponderous. Today, we have small group discussions, field trips
and other extracurricular activities that allow us to develop a different kind of thinking
tool which then help us to develop our critical thinking in far more ways. However,
technology also has flaws. We need to know what is essential and what needs to be let
go. For instance, when I was in high school we have our internet library which only
allows us to do research and not to go to social media sites or to play. But some
students can still perform what was limited and the administration wont be able to
detect it. Now that I am in college, a lot of improvement has been observed and that
includes the immediate detection of students visiting the prohibited sites.
People would mention that the world is a tricky place. Our teachers would always
remind us that what we see in our classroom is different from what is really happening
in the outside world. That is because we lack global knowledge and achievement. To
address this issue students need a classroom as wide as the world. This was all
expounded in Chapter 6. As might be expected, this book used the United States as an
example since they have the highest global trends. But since we are in Asia, I will be
addressing this issue based on our setting. Some Asian countries are left behind in

terms of the international language but this did not limit them from growing globally. I
also believe that to understand a lesson, it is better to use our own language. We can
express ourselves and our answers freely by using our own language. For example,
explain to an audience compose of Filipinos using the Filipino language would be more
beneficial than explaining in English since not all Filipinos would understand the foreign
language.
I agree to the fact that learning is fun. It all depends on a students motivation.
Motivation is all discussed in chapter 7. A student needs to think actively and not
passively. He should have initiative to learn. A great factor also includes the attitude of
the teacher. If he provides a conducive environment for learning, if he appears to be
approachable and always gives a helping hand for the students and is he has effective
teaching tools for the growth of his students. Our beloved country now adapts the K-12
curriculum. We asked ourselves, does this new curriculum motivates us to study more
or do we think it is additional burden for both the students and their family? Again, we
should always think positively. Be motivated by the fact that more time in school means
more knowledge to attain especially in this century wherein skills are gradually
improved. As an example, as what was mentioned in chapter 8 regarding literacy skills,
learning is not limited by texts alone. It also involves images, such as photographs,
television, and film. Youtube is a popular website that helps students like me to better
understand a principle which I do not clearly understand by reading the book alone.
Students and professors upload videos or demonstrations which help for better
understanding. After all the learning process of a student, it is expected that he has
improved a lot and has gained more knowledge than he has before the school year

started. There is a method mentioned in chapter 9 that can be used to document the
students skills and knowledge he has gained. It also serves as an evidence. Digital
portfolio involves a list of what the school has envisioned for its student, and the
expectations from the student from different categories like communication, problem
solving and research. While I was reading this chapter, I thought that it would be
tiresome because it somewhat forces me as a student to do a task in addition to what I
am already accomplishing in school. But coming to think of it, I realized that by
achieving this task it also helps me to have a better future. For example, in terms of
communication if I master my communication skills now, I do not have to take tutorial
classes anymore. It would be less time-consuming and less expensive. And by
improving certain skills, I can be assured of a sustainable future. Chapter 10 not only
describes a future that is sustainable based on skills alone but also by incorporating
healthy lifestyle. Healthy food, exercise and relationship together with healthy family,
school and community will all make ones future very sustainable. To achieve
sustainability means having a balance to all aspects of your life. You can neither be very
fast nor very slow. Everything must always be in motion. Being a student means to
grasp every opportunity to learn. But that doesnt mean to panic and cram just like in
reviewing for an exam. You wont be able to absorb and understand the principles
behind by cramming since your only purpose is to pass the exam. As a result, the
storage of that knowledge would just be superficial. This is what was explained in
chapter 11, whether you choose to power down or power up. Chapter 12 is all about
creating learning connections through our technology. As I mentioned above, learning
media sites that help students learn by watching videos are very helpful. These videos

are principles from books that have been published before. Students like me would not
doubt that since great minds have joined and contributed to prove them. But for us
improve, our teachers should also grow constantly. The last chapter cites that changing
curriculum is about changing your mind first and then forming some new habits and
routines as you abandon old ones. Our teachers should not be contented by giving us
what is in the book but should also offer us more to stimulate our curiosity and
imagination and improve our critical thinking and problem solving. We know that what
we see and what the world offers today is not constant. The world is changing every
day. We have great minds all over the world who have overflowing ideas.
21st century education has been, by far, improved a lot as compared to the
previous centuries. I am not saying that I have lived for centuries to say that but since
the world is constantly changing, the educational system has been improving for the
past years. During grade school, I was able to learn by listening to what my professor
would teach. I would jot down what he writes in the blackboard. I have learned about
equipment and foods Ive never seen through pictures in the books. But in high school
and college, learning has become more exciting due to the advancement of technology.
Multimedia has been of great help. It is just like watching a movie that I enjoy. Going to
school is not that as hard as it was before where in there is no alarm clock and no
means of transportation. Nowadays, I can use my cellphone as an alarm clock and we
have public transportations to help us arrive in school on time. I am a health care
professional and there is no reason for me to be late. Going to class is just the same as
watching amovie. If I miss the beginning then I wont be able to keep up with the rest.
Just like in saving a patients life, every second matters.