Gerald V.

Lauglaug Batch 10 – Class 57

A Reflection on Nan-Zhao’s Article on Four Pillars of Learning

Learning in the 21st century goes beyond the conventional pedagogy of

education where rote learnings confined only in the four corners of the

classroom. As time pass by, radical reform engulfed the system of our

educational landscape especially in the advent of technological

advancement. Nan-Zhao’s article accentuates the four pillars of learning as

the fundamental principles in reshaping 21st century education. It is a holistic

approach in education where learning focuses not only on the cognitive

aspect of the learner but the entirety of one’s whole being. Learning how to

learn is essential for every individual in order to fully grasp the idea of

something. It is not based merely on factual knowledge underneath the cover

of every textbook but the most important point is how to use those knowledge

for the betterment of our society and the world in general.

As an educator, we have the biggest role in nation building because we

help in nurturing the future leaders of our society. We cannot build the nation

for our youth for we are teachers, but we can build the youth for our nation.

The four pillars of learning serves as our guiding principles in making our

classroom strategies and techniques to make leaners fully equipped with

necessary knowledge, skills, and values for the world of work. Eventually, every

educational institution will produce an all-rounded individual with spiritual,

moral, social and cultural awareness as global citizens.

 There are many aspects to consider in the 21st century education. In

terms of technology, not all schools in the Philippines are fortunate enough to

have access in electricity, network and internet connectivity. Thus, making it

hard to make learners relate to global perspective. However, it is a challenge

for the 21st century educators to cope with this barriers, finding every possible

means and provide necessary adjustments through contextualization,

localization, and indigenization.

One of my significant learning in this article is that true education means

developing not only the cognitive phase of an individual but also the moral

spiritual and social aspect. 21st century education builds new concept of

learning breaking boundaries of conventional learning to provide new

generation of learners the so called “millennials” a suitable learning

environment for them.

Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.
- Nelson Mandela -