2. The term “21st century” has become the central part of
educational thinking and planning for the future.
Administrations and Teachers are actively searching
for ways to prepare students for the future, and the
educational system has been evolving faster than ever
before. Creating a 21st century education system is
about making sure that all students are prepared to
succeed in a competitive world– a world with plenty
of opportunities for highly skilled individuals and
limited options for everyone else.
In order to prepare students to play their role in the
21st century society we are a part of, the following can
be considered when deciding how education will look
in our schools and classrooms.

3. 1. Instruction should be student-centered
Education is no longer about listening to the
teacher talk and absorbing the in formation. In order
to contribute to society, students will need to be able
to acquire new information as problems arise. Then,
they will need to connect the new information with
the knowledge they already have and apply it to
solving the problem at hand. They will not be able to
call upon a teacher for answers, so will need to have
‘learned how to learn’ on their own. In this classroom
model, the teacher would act as a facilitator for the
students.

4. 2. Education should be collaborative
Students must learn how to collaborate with
others. Students should learn how to recognize the
different strengths and talents each person can bring
to a project, and change roles depending on those
attributes. Schools should also be collaborating with
other educational institutions around the world to
share information and learn about different practices
or methods that have been developed.

5. 3. Learning should have context
Student-centered does not mean that the
teacher gives up all control of the classroom. While
students are encouraged to learn in different ways,
the teacher still provides guidance as to the skills that
need to be acquired. The teacher can make a point of
helping students to understands how the skills they
are building can be applied in their lives.
Since we are no longer preparing students for
specific tasks and roles, we need to take a more
general approach and teach them the skills that are
useful in any situation.

6. The Role of Technology
in 21st century Learning:
1.Technology allows for 24/7 access
to information
2. Constant social interaction, and
3. Easily created and shared digital
content

7. There is a call for action to integrate
technology as a fundamental building block
into education in three broad areas:
1. Use technology comprehensively to develop
proficiency in 21st century skills.
2. Use technology comprehensively to
support innovative teaching and learning.
3. Use technology comprehensively to create
robust education support systems.

8. Important Functions of Educational Technology
1. Improvement of Teaching
Educational Technology analyses the process of
teaching thoroughly. It tries to find out the different variables
of teaching, their interlinks, effects upon each other,
relationships, theories of teaching, phases of teaching principles
of teaching, maxims of teaching etc.
2. Analysis of the Teaching-Learning Process
Educational Technology aims at analyzing the process
of teaching-learning thoroughly. It tries to find out the different
variables of teaching their interlinks effects upon each other,
relationship etc. It also concerned with various phases of
teaching. The principles of teaching and the maxims of teaching
are also evaluated by it.

9. 3. Improvement of Learning
Educational Technology analyses the process of
learning and the related theories. It facilitates more and
more of learning in less time. It takes the help of various
empirically established generalizations from psychology,
sociology, physical sciences, engineering etc.
4. Enhancing Goals of Education
The objectives of education are being reviewed and
revised with the passage of time. Educational technology
helps in finding out the right objectives. Everything in this
universe is undergoing tremendous changes and with a very
fast speed.
5. Training to Teachers
The changed type of environment with new
curriculum and new materials is to be handled by the
teachers. Right type of training to the teachers is the need of
the hour.

10. 6. Development of Curriculum
Curriculum is the total teaching-learning
environment, which has to be modified and remodeled in
the light of latest thoughts. Educational technology can do
this job of developing a suitable curriculum appropriately.
7. Development of Teaching-Learning Materials
Teaching-learning materials are also as important as
anything else in the reaching-learning process. They have to
be in accordance with the environment of the learners. Only
right type of materials will able to modify the behavior of
the learner suitably making him a fit person for the society.
8. Teaching-Learning Strategies
A strategy plays an important role in the hands of a
teacher in every teaching-learning situation. The strategy
has to be the right one, which should be according to the
materials an is able to bring about effective teaching
learning.

11. 9. Development of Audio-Visual Aids
Audio-Visual aids have always played an important role in the
teaching-learning process. They need be used according to the times.
The software aids, the hardware aids, the computer and other such
appliances, equipment etc., have “to be used in the present type of
teaching-learning environment.
10. Help in Overall Improvements
Educational technology helps in locating the problems in the
different areas of education. It also helps in remedying the draw-
backs. Evaluation of the teaching-learning process is also made better
because through feedback, things are improved thoroughly and there
is better control over the process of education.
11. Identification of Needs of the Community
Educational Technology identifies the needs of the community.
It helps in providing equal education opportunities to backward
people, disadvantaged students and deprived sections of the society.
Educational Technology aims at identifying the needs of the
community from time to time.