We are now in the 2st century facing different challenges brought by the advancement of technology, a war to be considered, so to better prepare ourselves with it, we need to be equipped with an armor and weapons and that is the 2st century skills. For the teachers, they can help the students applied what they learn in real life problems and develop the essential skills needed for them to be prepared in those challenges. According to Educational Leadership (as cited in Oliver, 206), A growing number of business leaders, politicians, and educators are united around the idea that students need 2st century skills to be successful today. It is also supported by the report of National Education Association (205), which found that what was considered a good education in the past years ago is no longer enough for the success in college, career and citizenship in the 2st century. So indeed, in our changing world today we need to also change our ways and our strategies to help us battle for those challenges brought by the changes we all experienced right now.
In the past years learning Β3RsΒ (reading, writing, and arithmetic) is already enough, but today if we want to help our society, we must be good communicators,
creative, critical thinkers, and have collaboration (4Cs). Those skills will help us find opportunities and make possible solutions to any problems we are all going to encounter in the future. Learning 2st century skills does not only apply in regular students, but also for those students with disabilities. Inclusive education plays an important role on it, where it will act as a platform to every student with or without disabilities to enhance their skills. We canΒt just leave them behind the war of 2st century. Each student will be offered more opportunities, where in students with disabilities will be look for what abilities they have, and not on what disabilities they have. The National Center for Learning Disabilities (209) believes that if we neglect to provide students with disabilities the 2st century skills and dispositions, it will further widen the opportunity gap for these students. Let them have the opportunity to showcase their skills and knowledge. Let them feel that they have important roles to play in our community, that they are valued and appreciated. Aside from that they should be prepared to face the realities, the challenges and the possibilities that the future will going throw at them.