Guest of the Visionary Teacher Academy Talks organized by the Istanbul-Pendik District National Education Directorate, Üsküdar Üniversitesi Founding Rector, Psychiatrist Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan, spoke under the title “New Truths in Education and 21st Century Skills.” Emphasizing the importance of sharing common goals, Prof. Dr. Tarhan said; “We shouldn’t tell young people to only live, do, and feel for themselves. Young people need to be benevolent and sharing individuals with high ideals. What’s important in 21st-century skills is teamwork.”
“Young people should be benevolent and sharing”
Prof. Dr. Tarhan stated that in teamwork, different people act together for a similar purpose; “Everyone should be themselves, pluralistic and free. Leadership creates unity of purpose. Leadership is not about wagging fingers, but about progressing within the team. For example, scientific leadership is taught in war academies. We still haven't been able to provide true team leadership in our education system. It's very difficult to keep up with the times this way. We need to share common feelings and thoughts. There is nothing as beautiful as sharing the same goals. We shouldn't tell young people to only live, do, and feel for themselves. Young people need to be benevolent and sharing individuals with high ideals. What’s important in 21st-century skills is teamwork.”
“Learning through all senses is more educational and memorable”
Tarhan stated that new generation individuals should be raised according to an active learning model; “Learning by using all senses is always more educational and memorable. We need to adopt the active learning model as a role model for our system. Learning by experience is the most active form of learning. Learning by experience means an increase in social skills. We observe learned autism in patients coming to child psychiatrists, caused by engaging with tools like computers and televisions. We see many child individuals deprived of social skills. Children need to step away from technology a bit and develop socially. It has been observed that these situations have increased with the pandemic process. Children's sole interest should not be technological tools.”
“Being innovative and open to development is necessary”
Tarhan stated that individuals with a critical perspective are open to new experiences; “One of the most important skills of the 21st century is to be innovative and open to new experiences. This is also a necessity for old age. Experiencing, learning, and adapting to innovation are essential for every individual. Currently, virtual reality has become mandatory due to the pandemic. This is also an effort to adapt to innovation. But individuals should not disconnect from each other. Discussing, criticizing each other, and consulting are important. We live in an egocentric world and era. It is necessary to be individuals open to developments without entering into ego wars. The learning organization is one of the most important skills of this era. We can see learning organizations in all fields. It is necessary to be innovative and open to development. If we don't know, we will take steps towards learning and innovation.”