21st Century Skills Among the Faculty of a Teacher Education Institution in Benguet

Abstract

Globalization and the increasing pervasiveness of digital technologies are the pressing characteristics of the world at the turn of this century. This study was conducted to assess the proficiency of the faculty staff and their cognizance to deliver the knowledge needed by the 21st century learners. The study employed the quantitative and qualitative method of inquiry, using questionnaire, interview and document analysis to gather data.

Results revealed that the faculty are very proficient of the 21st Century Skills along learning and innovation, information, media and technology skills and life and career skills with a mean of 3.34. The male respondents are very proficient in critical thinking and problem-solving skills (3.73). The females are very proficient in social and socio-cultural skills (3.47). Those with 1-5 years in teaching are very proficient in initiative and self-direction (3.37); those with 6-10 years in teaching are proficient in social and cross-cultural skills (3.41); those with 11-15 years in teaching are very proficient in productivity and accountability (3.93) and those with 16 and above years in teaching are very proficient in social and cross-cultural skills (3.92). The challenges faced are integration of ICT in facilitating lessons, eliciting student’s creativity, critical thinking and problem solving skills, slow acquisition of new equipment, lack of facilities to utilize, poor media literacy and diversified learners.