Exploring EFL teachers' perceptions on 21st century skills: A case study

Year 2023, , 169 - 183, 31.08.2023

Ecem Eker Uka , Hasan Bedir

https://doi.org/10.30900/kafkasegt.1240904

Cited By: 1

Abstract

This study investigated how English language teachers perceived and used 21st – century learning and innovation skills in their classrooms. Data were collected both in qualitative and quantitative methods and an exploratory case study was employed. The convenience sampling method was used and 105 voluntary teachers of English participated in the questionnaire. To support the quantitative data, 10 English language teachers were interviewed and they completed a KWLA chart after attending a seminar regarding the research. Then, following conducting their session, they were expected to create lesson plans that included 21st – century skills and reflection reports. Results demonstrated that the participants in this study are aware of 21st – century skills and their importance in English language learning and teaching. Although they are aware of them, they nevertheless require assistance from their managers and the government. Their understanding of how and when to use these skills needs to be improved, along with their horizons.

Keywords

Professional Development, Life and Career Skills, Digital Literacy Skills, 4Cs, 21st Century Skills

References

• Ambrose, S., Bridges, M., Lovett, M., DiPietro, M., & Norman, M (2010). How Learning Works: 7 Research – Based Principles for Smart Teaching. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.
• Andersen, N. (2002). New media and new media literacy: The horizon has become the landscape – New media are here. Cable in the Classroom. 30-35.
• Bedir H., (2017, 20-21 Nisan). English language teachers' beliefs on 21st – century learning and innovations skills. Çukurova International ELT Teachers' Conference (CUELT 2017): Reshaping Teaching and Learning English for the 21st – century, ADANA, TÜRKIYE.
• Bedir, H. (2019). Pre-service ELT teachers’ beliefs and perceptions on the 21st – century learning and innovation skills (4Cs). Journal of Language and Linguistic Studies, 15(1), 231-246.
• Dörnyei, Z. (2007). Research Methods in Applied Linguistics. Oxford: Oxford University.
• Dörnyei, Z. (2007b). Research methods in applied linguistics: Quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methodologies. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
• Dweck, C. S. (2000). Self-theories: Their role in motivation, personality, and development. Philadelphia. Psychology Press.
• Eker, E. (2020). Exploring EFL Teachers’ Perceptions on 21st – century Skills:A Case Study. [Unpublishes Master's thesis]. Çağ Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Enstitüsü.
• Erdoğan, V. (2019). Integrating 4C skills of 21st – century into 4 language skills in EFL classes. International Journal of Education and Research. 7(11).
• Fandiño, Y. J. (2013). 21st – century skills and the english foreign language classroom: A call for more awareness in Colombia. GIST Education and Learning Research Journal, 7, 190-208.
• Gibson, S. & Brooks, C. (2013). Rethinking 21st – century professional development. Literacy Information and Computer Education Journal, 1064-1074.
• Guoyuan, S., Liang, J., Chai, C., Dong, Y., & Tsai, C. (2018). Teachers’ actual and preferred perceptions of twenty-first century learning competencies: a Chinese perspective. Asia Pacific Education Review. 19. 10.1007/s12564-018-9522-0.
• Happ, D. W. (2013). Results of a survey of 21st – century skills of communication, collaboration, critical thinking, and creativity [Doctoral dissertation]. American International College, U.S.
• Hensen, K.T. (1996). Teachers as researchers. In J. Sikula (Ed.), Handbook of research on teacher education (4th ed., pp. 53-66). New York: Macmillan Library Reference USA.
• İlhan, A. Ç. (2004). 21. yüzyılda öğretmen yeterlikleri. Bilim ve Aklın Aydınlığında Eğitim Dergisi, 58, 40-45.
• Jackson, A. W. & Davis, G. A. (2000). Turning points 2000: Educating adolescents in the 21st – century. New York: Teachers College Press.
• Jenkins, H., Clinton, K., Purushotma, R., Robinson, A. J., & Weigel, M. (2006). Confronting the challenges of participatory culture: Media education for the 21st – century. Chicago, IL: The MacArthur Foundation.
• Kivunja, C. (2015). Exploring the pedagogical meaning and implications of the 4Cs “Super Skills” for the 21st – century through Bruner’s 5E lenses of knowledge construction to improve pedagogies of the new learning paradigm. Creative Education, 6, 224-239. Doi:10.4236/ce.2015.62021.
• Maley, A., & Bolitho, R. (2015) Creativity. ELT Journal, 69 (4), 434–436. Retrieved from: https://doi.org/10.1093/elt/ccv036
• Marcelo, C. (2009). Professional Development of Teachers: past and future. Educational Sciences Journal, 8,
• OECD (2009a). 21st – century skills and competences for new millennium learners in OECD countries.
• Orak, S. D. (2019). Teachers' awareness and actual practices of 21st – century learning and innovation skills [Unpublished Master's thesis]. Çağ Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Enstitüsü.
• P21. Partnership for 21st – century Skills (2011a) “Communication and Collaboration.” Retrieved from: http://www.p21.org/index.php?option=com_contenttask=view&id=261&Itemid=120.
• P21. (2011b). Partnership for 21st – century Skills (P21). Framework for 21st – century Learning. Retrieved from: http://www.P21.org on July 10, 2014.
• Patton, M. (2002). Qualitative research and evaluation methods, 3rd Ed. Thousand Oaks: Sage.
• Piirto J. (2011) Creativity for 21st – century Skills. In: Creativity for 21st – century Skills. SensePublishers.
• Robinson, K. (2011). Ken Robinson Says Schools Kill Creativity Speech. TED Talks.
• Rusdin, N. M. (2018). Teachers’ Readiness in Implementing 21st – century Learning. International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, 8(4), 1293-1306.
• Saunders, M., Lewis, P., & Thornhill, A. (2012). Research Methods for Business Students, 6th edn, sn.
• Stemler, S. (2001). An overview of content analysis, Practical Assessment, Research & Evaluation, 7. 137-146.
• Taylor, F. (2009). Authentic internet in the EFL class. Modern English Teacher, 18(1), 5-9.
• Trilling, B., & Fadel, C. (2012). 21st – century skills: Learning for life in our times. John Wiley & Sons.
• Wagner, T. (2008). Rigor redefined. Educational Leadership, 66(2), 20–24.
• Wang, W. (2016). Chinese English in as Lingua Franca in Global Business Setting. [Conference presentation] Web of Conferences:25
• World Bank.(2011). Learning for all. Investing in people’s knowledge and skills to promote development.
• World Bank Group Education Strategy 2020. Washington DC: World Bank.
• Yeni, G. (2018). The Effect of 21st – century skills training on foreign language teachers’ perceptions regarding their educational technology and materials development competencies. [Unpublished Master’s Thesis]. İstanbul Üniversitesi Eğitim Bilimleri Enstitüsü.
• Zainal, Z. (2007). Case study as a research method. Jurnal Kemanusiaan, (9), 1-6.
• Zivkovic, S. (2016). A model of critical thinking as an important attribute for success in the 21st – century. Procedia-Social and Behavioral Sciences, 232, 102-108.