21ST CENTURY SKILLS IN HIGHER EDUCATION: A DIFFERENTIATED LEARNING APPROACH

In the modern, globalized society, education must equip learners with 21st-century skills to prepare them for the complex professional, and civic roles. This study explores the views of university students of Early Childhood Education connected with the 21st century skills that are necessary for their professional development. Encouragement to use critical thinking, to collaborate, use of communication, creativity and innovation self-direction, global awareness, local awareness and problem solving were the categories examined through a questionnaire. Results show that 21st century skills were developed in isolation and not systematically as part of the curricula, which leads us to the conclusion that there is a need for further implementation of educational programs for 21st century skills until these skills are considered an integral part of education. Within this frame, an educational program was designed that focuses on critical thinking, collaborative processes and problem solving based on differentiated instruction. Integration of this program into university students’ education fosters inclusive, skill-oriented learning environments that prepare future educators to meet the diverse needs of 21st-century learners.