Learning skills for the future – implementing the 21st-century learning

This research aims to identify essential skills required for 21st-century students, to examine teachers' practices, and to explore the educational classroom content applied for skill development. The research sample consists of ten teachers from five classes in a primary school located in Austria. Employing a qualitative approach, the study is conducted through semistructured interviews with teachers, classroom observations, and analyses of the students´active participation in classes over one month. The results prioritize critical thinking, creativity, and social skills. The emphasis is on internet safety in alignment with curricular requirements, interdisciplinary projects, and self-regulated learning, which are crucial for early education development. Additionally, the data reveals that teachers predominantly utilize open-ended lessons and independent learning activities, while providing flexibility for students to learn independently. Teachers prioritize individual student expression, self-direction, creativity, and imagination in their approach to skill development. They engage in interdisciplinary projects to foster sustainable skill development and promote visual language and literacy to facilitate self-expression and inclusive attitudes. While integral to the learning progress, integrating media and technology poses challenges for children, however, students are adapting to it easily and learn to discern information according to their needs. Challenges identified include maintaining students' focus on tasks, navigating tensions between content mastery and process understanding, and the need for teacher training in pedagogical tools, particularly amid the transition to online teaching. Overall, the study underscores the importance of providing students with opportunities for independent exploration, fostering collaboration, and addressing challenges in implementing effective teaching approaches to develop the necessary students' skills for the 21st century.