In dealing with the 21^st Century Skills, education tools are of high demand to advancements and innovations – not just this, but also classrooms are in the progress of upgrades.

Last August 13, 2018, the first batch of 21st Century Learning Environment Model (CLEM) Classrooms were built at Inosloban-Marawoy Integrated National High School (INHS) in Lipa City. These classrooms feature wi-fi enabled computers, printers, 21st century-design furniture, learning tools, and internet access.² Followed in this progress, both public and private sectors around the country implemented development in building their own 21st-century classrooms.

21st Century classrooms focus on students experiencing the environment they will enter as 21st Century workers.³ Modern classrooms promote collaborative teaching and learning to support student-centered learning in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) to practice an actual working place.

In planning and providing this environment healthy for a 21st-century learner, Department of Education, Department of Science and Technology – Science Education Institute (DOST-SEI) joined by other government agencies worked together to make this happen.

Tell you what. Could you imagine that you could actually put up your own 21st-century classroom at home?

Definitely, yes in just 5 easy ways we can call as the 21^st Century Room or simply abbreviated as 21^st C-ROOM.

5 Easy ways to build your own 21st C-ROOM:

1) C – count your resources

Do you have internet at home? That would click your resources. If you don’t have it, that’s fine. There are many ways to access the internet, just load your network with surfing promos, check your data and you’re good to go.

Another thing would be computers or laptops – again, if you don’t have it, that’s never a problem. Phones can be of great help too.

If you have collections of books, encyclopedias, magazines and other tactile references, gather them up in your 21st-century room.

2) R – rearrange and recreate

Take a good look at your room. It deserves a clean-up don’t you think.

Always consider setting a healthy environment for your room to invite a conducive setting for learning. Be creative in using the available furniture you have in your room. After all, a 21^st Century room doesn’t need to be gaudy decorated. Need more ideas? You could follow these simple DIY-crafts at home.

[check this out: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HXNFO4mEZa8 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NUox7qOt0XQ ]

3) O – organize the optimistic aura

We have our own ways in making ourselves positive and happy.

If you’re the kind of learner that enjoys studying while listening to upbeat songs, it’s best that you turn the mood on in this kind of set-up.

So as if you’re the kind of learner that focused more on studying in a silent atmosphere then make yourself comfortable away from distractions.

4) O – open an obstacle-driven activity

What’s fun of doing anything without a challenge?

Refrain from being stuck reading empty. If you want to make your 21st-century classroom effective at home, you must research how to apply the knowledge and skills you learned through the digital and traditional resources you had read. Always make it a goal that you must create something interesting out of the knowledge you gained each day from studying inside your 21st-century classroom at home.

5) O – overseer feedback

A rational person doesn’t rely on his own understanding and learning alone.

A 21st-century learner broadens his knowledge through active collaboration – and by that, the knowledge you gained from the internet, research, journals, books/ebooks still needs validation from experts and professionals.

Much as your curiosity feeds you knowledge, it is best to inquire from reliable sources and people who could give you a precise explanation. Plus, it is also fun to share and impart learning with friends. You could organize a conference with your friends through zoom or other social apps. Practicing effective communication and research is a good venue to prepare a learner for an actual working place.

Remember, the 5 easy ways C-ROOM and your very own 21^st Century Classroom can be achieved.

“What we teach and encourage our learners to learn from school has to be relevant to the 21st century, to our needs, and has to be responsive to the challenges that our country faces at this time” – Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Leonor Magtolis Briones during the 3rd Annual EduTECH Philippines Conference and Exhibition.

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¹ https://www.deped.gov.ph/2019/02/23/education-chief-highlights-importance-of-21st-century-skills-in-ph-education-system-during-3rd-edutech-forum/ ]

² https://www.goodnewspilipinas.com/
    http://www.sei.dost.gov.ph/index.php/news-archive/233-historic-first-batch-of-21st-century-classrooms-finds-home-in-lipa-city

³ Commitment to the role of the teacher as a facilitator of learning. (2007). Retrieved January 30, 2007 from http://www.onu.edu/a+s/cte/knowledge/facilitator.shtml