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Advances in Social Sciences Research Journal – Vol.7, No.9
Publication Date: September 25, 2020
DOI:10.14738/assrj.79.8967.
Buenvinida, L. P., Rodriguez, M. T. M., Sapin, S. B., Alforja, N. S. & Panopio, F. P. (2020). Senior High School Teachers’ Readiness In
Implementing 21st Century Learning: An Input To School Improvement Plan. Advances in Social Sciences Research Journal, 7(9) 42-51.
Senior High School Teachers’ Readiness In Implementing 21st
Century Learning: An Input To School Improvement Plan
Lerma P. Buenvinida
College of Teacher Education
Maria Teresa M. Rodriguez
College of Teacher Education
Sherwin B. Sapin
College of Computer Studies
Nilda S. Alforja
College of Fisheries Laguna State Polytechnic University,
Los Banos, Laguna, Philippines
Francisco P. Panopio
Bitin Integrated National High School,
Bay, Laguna, Philippines
ABSTRACT
This study aimed to identify the level of teachers’ readiness in
implementing the 21st century learning; determine the relationship
between teachers’ demographic profile and level of understanding 21st
century learning; determine the difference between Bay and Los Baños
districts teachers’ readiness; and design a training program for
teachers. The respondents were the regular/permanent senior high
school teachers of the Department of Education in the said districts,
School Year 2019-2020. The teacher-respondents were from three and
six public senior high schools from Bay and Los Baños, Laguna,
respectively; adopted questionnaire and used simple random sampling
technique. Findings, reveal that the level of teachers’ readiness was high
but they still need professional development in order to: increase the
knowledge about 21st century learning; assessment of students, use
technology as a tool in teaching; and have advanced training on different
strategies in handling 21st century students. The teachers’ profiles such
as sex, age, teaching position, years in service and educational
attainment influenced the level of teachers’ understanding in
implementing the 21st century learning; while there is no difference on
teachers’ level of readiness between the Bay and Los Baños districts.
Hence, a comprehensive training program is recommended to enhance
teachers’ professional and technical skills.
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URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.14738/assrj.79.8967 43
Buenvinida, L. P., Rodriguez, M. T. M., Sapin, S. B., Alforja, N. S. & Panopio, F. P. (2020). Senior High School Teachers’ Readiness In Implementing 21st
Century Learning: An Input To School Improvement Plan. Advances in Social Sciences Research Journal, 7(9) 42-51.
Keywords: 21st century learning, teachers’ readiness, advanced training,
strategies, 21st century Learning
INTRODUCTION
At present, the nature of teaching is changing as current lecturers are required to provide their
students with 21st Century Skills (CS). This 21st century education entails more than merely
teaching through lecture and discussion. There are issues whether current lecturers are able to
grasp with the fast pace of technological advancement and to impart that skills to their students.
Furthermore, despite having excellent academic performance, employers from various industries
are concerned that fresh graduates lack the adaptability, multitasking, decision-making and
problem-solving skills in the workplace [1].
The Philippines’ Department of Education (DepEd) through the implementation of the Basic
Education Sector Reform Agenda (BESRA) is pursuing a package of policy reforms to further
improve education. One of its reforms is the K-12 Program which has opened the way to the
mandated 21st Century Skills. These include Learning and Innovation; Information, Media and
Technology; and Life and Career Skills. One of its progress indicators is the use of the National
Competency-Based Teacher Standards (NCBTS) for assessing teachers’ job performance through
the self-assessment tool named as Teachers Strengths and Needs Assessment (TSNA).
In an attempt to inculcate every learner with 21st CS, most teachers face great challenges because
there are many 21st CS to be instilled in limited teaching hours [2]. Furthermore, it was noted that
many teachers presently apply the conventional method.
Since a teacher in the 21st century era goes beyond work in the classroom, it is necessary to
understand the multiple contexts of teaching/player in education as well as the diverse roles of a
teacher. It also requires ongoing professional learning activities including further studies and
training, participation in professional development programs, and engagement in professional
school-based learning communities in the higher education institution.
Readiness is thought to be a critical forerunner to successful implementation of the educational
reform because the stakeholders are the ones acting on it. When readiness is high, stakeholders are
more invested in the change effort, expend greater effort in the change process, and exhibit greater
persistence in the face of obstacles or setbacks which contribute to a successful implementation of
the new program [3]. Readiness to any changes in the educational system has enduring, situation- specific, and conditional components. It is the extent to which a person or a group is conditioned to
accept, embrace, and adopt the reform [4].
The need [5] in educating learners to produce high quality generation with the capability to deal
with 21st century globalization has become a very important agenda nowadays. Curriculum
reformation encompasses all aspects of skills and competencies that can fulfill the needs of 21st
century education where K-12 curriculum was implemented in the Philippines since SY 2012-2013.
The 21st Century Skill [6] is a global framework and one of the essential core elements of the K-12
Basic Education Program of the Department of Education. It calls for the holistic development of
learners in the fast-changing 21st century world. The framework formulated by the Partnership for
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Advances in Social Sciences Research Journal (ASSRJ) Vol.7, Issue 9, September-2020
21st CS includes Learning and Innovation Skills; Information, Media and Technology Skills; and Life
and Career Skills.
In a study on science teacher readiness [7], it was emphasized that in order to cultivate the 21st CS,
there should be active learning opportunities, practice and evidence of student learning. This also
includes modern and innovative ways of assessment in the 21st Century. it noted that to prepare
students for 21st century life, educators can build on educational goals that have been long a part
of a global heritage. Furthermore, Corpuz & Salandanan (2012) emphasized that in order to remain
relevant and interesting the teacher must possess 21st CS. Accordingly, the way teachers implement
teaching process affects the outcomes of 21st learning [8].
Moreover, teachers are supposed to have a great capability in planning and implementing teaching
and learning that fulfill the needs of immersing 21st century learning skills through effective,
interesting and interactive pedagogy practice. In addition, learning can be carried out in meaningful
ways through learning by implementing an approach where learners are stimulated to think and
build understanding meaningfully (Ariffin & Yunus, 2017).
The Los Baños College of Fisheries (LBCF), formerly a CHED supervised institution, started offering
its undergraduate programs since 1985. The prospect of offering more undergraduate programs
became extensive and positive when LBCF was converted to a state university, now known as
Laguna State Polytechnic University (LSPU). Since then, the university had attracted more students
for the baccalaureate degrees. LSPU became one of the top choice schools for the education of the
residents of Los Baños and nearby towns and cities.
Hence, this study was conducted to: identify the level of teachers’ readiness in implementing the
21st century learning; determine the relationship between teachers’ demographic profile and level
of understanding 21st century learning; determine the difference between Bay and Los Baños
districts teachers’ readiness in implementing the 21st century learning; and design a training
program for teachers
MATERIALS AND METHODS
This study employed the descriptive-correlational research design. Correlational statistics
described and measured the degree or association (or relationship) between two or more variables
or sets of scores [9]. The data consisted of the personal profile of the respondents. The respondents
of the study were the regular/permanent senior high school teachers of the Department of
Education in Bay and Los Baños districts for School Year 2019-2020.
The teacher-respondents were from three and six public senior high schools from Bay and Los
Baños, Laguna, respectively. Hence, this study make use of simple random sampling technique with
88% response rate. The collection of data was conducted before the lockdown of schools due to the
onset of COVID 19.
The survey questionnaire used in this study was adopted and modified [10]. It is accomplished by
the teacher-respondents, and it consisted of the following two main parts: Part I, focused on the
Personal Profile and Part II, focused on the teachers’ readiness in implementing 21st century
learning.