21ST CENTURY SKILLS AMONG BUSINESS EDUCATORS IN AN ONLINE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT

This study investigates the development of 21st-century skills that are crucial to the delivery of online education to educators, as well as the challenges encountered by the respondents. The purpose is to determine whether educators are truly preparing students for the demand for higher-order cognitive skills by their future employers.  The study concentrated on Five key areas:  The extent of skills development among educators in an online learning environment, the extent of the skills capacity among educators in online learning environment, significant relationship between the extent of 21st century skills development and skills capacity of business educators, challenges encountered by business educators in terms of 21st century skills development and capacity.  Based on the problem stated, this hypothesis is stated:  There is no significant relationship between the extent of 21st-century skills development and the skills capacity of educators.  Data were collected from 70 respondents via structured questionnaires and supplemented by random interviews with the business educators.  Statistical techniques such as frequency distribution, percentage, weighted mean, Likert scale, t-test, Pearson r, and ranking were used for data analysis. Key findings revealed that the extent of skills development of the educators when it comes to 21st Century Skills is there is a high development of skills. Although the educators may develop their communication skills in using the different applications to make their presentations interesting to the students.  There are technical difficulties for educators, such as problems with the online platforms they are using.  These technical difficulties can disrupt the flow of the lesson and make it difficult for students to engage.  The study provided several recommendations for the business educators, such as upgrading their capacity in Computer application integration, as well as updating and learning the use of the latest apps that they are not familiar with.  They may also be adaptable and flexible in their approach to teaching. 

Keywords:  21st Century Educators, 21st Century Skills,  Skills Development, Online Learning, Higher Educational Institutions