The '4Cs of the 21st century skills' can be fostered by all of the following theories except: a. Multiple Intelligences b. Behaviorism c. Cognitivism d. Constructivism
Answer (1)
The question revolves around the '4Cs of the 21st century skills' and how different educational theories support or do not support them. The '4Cs' refer to Critical thinking, Communication, Collaboration, and Creativity. These skills are considered essential for students to thrive in today's world, as they foster analytical thinking, effective communication, the ability to work well with others, and innovative thinking.
Let's examine each educational theory mentioned in the context of supporting the '4Cs':
Multiple Intelligences : This theory, proposed by Howard Gardner, suggests that there are different kinds of intelligences, such as linguistic, logical-mathematical, spatial, and others. It encourages personalized learning by allowing students to explore and develop their unique strengths, thereby supporting creativity and collaboration.
Behaviorism : This theory, associated with B.F. Skinner, focuses on observable behaviors and the ways they can be learned or modified through conditioning. Behaviorism is often seen as less supportive of skills like creativity and critical thinking because it emphasizes structured learning and response-based outcomes rather than exploratory or collaborative learning.
Cognitivism : This theory emphasizes the role of mental processes in understanding and knowledge acquisition. It supports critical thinking and creativity by encouraging students to understand and process information meaningfully.
Constructivism : This theory suggests that learners construct their own understanding and knowledge of the world through experiences and reflection. Constructivism heavily supports all four Cs by encouraging active learning, collaboration, and critical thinking.
Given these explanations, the theory that least supports the fostering of the '4Cs of the 21st century skills' is b. Behaviorism . While it has been valuable in many educational settings, it tends not to emphasize the open-ended, collaborative, and reflective learning processes associated with the '4Cs'.
Therefore, the correct answer is option b: Behaviorism.
