A RADICAL RETHINKING OF EDUCATION SYSTEMS FOR THE 21ST CENTURY: FROM RHETORIC TO REALITY

Abstract

What does it mean to be a successful learner or graduate in today’s world? While in years past, a solid acquisition of the “three Rs” (reading, writing, and arithmetic) and mastery in the core academic subjects may have been the measure of attainment, the world of the 21st century requires a radically different orientation. Education plays a vital role in developing a nation culturally, economically, and socially. With the advent of standard-based reforms, the quality of teachers has become a major concern of policy-makers, college and university presidents, especially at the colleges of teacher education and the public in general. Education in India has witnessed a paradigm shift in recent times. There was once a time when the guru, his knowledge and experience were considered infallible and total. Today, education is witnessing unprecedented scrutiny from all segments of society. Information technology plays a pivotal role for the development of education. The world is changing at a previously inconceivable pace. We must now understand that we are preparing our children for the unknown, unseen and unpredictable. This is not easy to digest. Therefore, 21st century higher education needs to be capable of teaching students how to deal with unpredictability and change. This paper is based on a review and synthesis of secondary data and published work and identifies the roles that technology plays in enhancing teaching and learning through digital technology, and discusses how these strategies benefit teachers and learners. The present qualitative study aimed to investigate effective teaching in higher education in Indian based on the experiences of best professors in the country.