The Four Pillars of Education

Read the attachment below and write a comment about it in relation with the discussion we had in our
class last Friday. How are these four pillars related to our role as teachers in our attempt to educate
others?

The Four Pillars of Education were produced in the 1996 report to the UNESCO presented by the
Comission of Education presided by Jaques Delors. The document was titled Learning: The Treasure
within and its contents still influence educational policies around the world.

Read the info here

Posted by Ligia Aguilar at 6:17 PM
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37 comments:
1.

bibiNovember 29, 2011 at 2:40 PM

Maria Ivelis Padilla Arias

The four pillars of education which are learning to know, leaning to do, learning together and
learning to be ,each one has a different point of view and helps us see things and understand
different things. Learning to know; mainly talks about how we start thinking, we process things, how
we concentrate, and memory skills. As you know since we are small kids we start learning,
concentrating and thinking. I personally think this is the most important pillar of education since its
the first one we develop and use in our live. Learning to do; talks about how can we use education
and how can we adapt it to future. What I understand about this learning is that is for professional
persons, who want to improve it all. The learning to be together; talks about how can we unite the
world, how can we teach our students to care for others and make awareness of what is going on,
in the world and in other countries and the last one learning to be; talks about how can we just be
ourselves and succeed and how that can help us in education letting us be creative and follow our
opinions and statements.
Reply
Replies

1.
MArJORIeTYwinssJuly 5, 2016 at 10:37 PM

what are some problems under learning to know that you commonly observed in
the family that affects the child's learning?
Reply

2.

Guadalupe ArtigasNovember 29, 2011 at 4:37 PM

I believe as educators we must combine all the pillars. All make the basis of a good education. We
need to give the students knowledge in order the gain the competencies they need to outstand in
their future. We must give them the tools they need to recognize the world around them, exercise
their memory, attention and thought. If they have the knowledge they learn to do, they materialize
what they have in their brains; each one according to their level and capabilities. They learn to
 make judgments about right and wrong so they can think critically. Also we should guide them
through the discovery of who they are, and what do they want in life, we must provide all the
possible experiences so they can reach to those answers. If they know who they are, accept and
love themselves they will accept, tolerate and love others. They will learn the importance of a
persons essence; that goes beyond social class, color, education and culture. All the pillars are
part of an integral education that allows us to form human beings, that will be able to defend
themselves in a world of constant change and will make them part of a better world.
Reply

3.

Yasmin LazoNovember 29, 2011 at 6:15 PM

Four pillars of education

Learning to live together : People should learn to have values since this will help us to live better
among each other , living with peace with each other no matter to what levels of society we belong
to accepting each other as we are . And as I think we all want to have a honest political system in
our country. With the concept of learning to live together is expected to overcome various conflicts
that happen in society as I said before learning to live our differences in many cultures that we may
have to deal and learn about them. Learning to be Have social skills to enable individuals to
develop the more we can mentally and physically getting to be a complete person. Because
knowing the weaknesses and strengths to build us a whole person continuously. Learning to know
Acquire all tools we have around us learning everything we can in the world and provide an
appropriate and adequate foundation for future learning. Learning how to learn, making sure how
can we know and learn. Because of the opportunity to work in specific areas that continue to
develop with changes in science and technology. Learning to do having imagination is very
important also having initiative. Is very important to achieve experience practicing the activity we
like to acquire all the knowledge we can.
Reply

4.

Carlos MaldonadoNovember 29, 2011 at 7:06 PM

Actually the world is changing so it is necessary for people to understand with each other. It is
important for people not only to understand with each other, but also to interchange ideas in a
peaceful way and live in harmony. Today is a lack of values that is not permitting human beings to
live peacefully and with joy, so is very important the instruction of the four pillars of education in
order to gain it.
The four pillars of education are important and necessary to acquire knowledge and obtain values
lost in society by the uncontrolled enlargement of the world. I agree that the pillar Learning to live
together is fundamental to gain values for living in peace and in harmony, because it develops the
understanding of others and their history, traditions, religion etc. Basically on this pillar people learn
to tolerate people and to respect others doesnt matter their traditions, celebrations, beliefs, and
thoughts. But to get this pillar we need to go through the others three pillars because they sustain
the pillar of learning to live together.
In my opinion the base for all the pillars is the pillar Learning to know. This pillar basically
introduces all what people need to know in order to grow and live in this world with so many
changes and challenges. The other two pillars Learning to do and Learning to be are also
important for the search of peace and harmony between all the people. The first that is related to
work and the second one to the accomplishment of goals are topics that actually are relevant for
having people to have success and to live peacefully.
In the role as teachers these for pillars are very important because it focus us to teach our students
how to behave with others and to tolerate others. Also the way how goals can be achieve and to
accomplish work as an individual an as a group. I consider that some of these pillars are introduced
first of all at home but can be reinforced at school. So we have a great labor to accomplish with our
students wihch is not easy.
Reply
5.

Loyda RocioNovember 30, 2011 at 12:39 PM

I believe that each one of the four pillars of education is related and that one couldnt happen
without the other. They begin when we are just babies, we need to learn to live with others, starting
at home with our family and as we get older we have the need to learn to live with others in
different circumstances, as we begin school, we spend around 7 hours with our classmates. As we
get to know ourselves we also learn to be, we are able to affront our weaknesses and make our
best with our abilities, if I have trouble with my spelling words I study more and if Im good at math I
would probably just do a couple of exercises , learning how to know and how to learn are really
related to learning to be, I think that is the base of everything, if we are able to learn to be, we will
be able to accept ourselves and others, as Carlos said. As human beings it may take a while for
some to have a well establish foundation of the four pillars, once we have it, it will probably be
easier to understand why I understand better if I read out loud and why my friend needs a quiet
room. Experience, maturity and certain situations that we may go through may help us, our
students and everyone we know learn to live with others, learn to be, learn how to know and how to
learn. As teachers we need to guide our students through the four pillars, we must remember that
they will help them through life.
Reply

6.

Patricia GutierrezNovember 30, 2011 at 7:40 PM

The 4 pillars of education are important to take in account in order to give the essential tools to our
students needs to develop and growth in this demanding society. Learning to know is the teaching
that comes from our childhood the teaching from ours parent and us as teacher. Thats why is
important that what we teach is fundamental of the development of its deductive and inductive
reasoning and the increasing of its memory skills. learning to live together is no more than teach
tolerance and acceptance to other culture, races or religion follower to our students and a good
way to this this is putting together to work in a group in order to obtain the goal and at the same
time they would learn more about themselves, its culture, religion. Learning to do in this world that
the most important is technology we have to learn to adapt and apply our knowledge in order to get
more benefits of this boom For us more easily to continue doing the same thing in the same way
and not experience to do it in a easily way that would encourage our ability to experiment and learn
more when we affront a unknown thing that is what we have to teach to our childs no to be to
afraid to encourage unknown things. Learning to be this is important because we have to help each
child to develop its own personality, we have to guide and give the important and essential tools
that they are going to use in their development as a professional person in all aspects
Reply

7.

Lourdes MacasDecember 1, 2011 at 8:21 AM

*Learning to know: First we as teachers need to learn to understand the world around, and feel the
desire to explore more, and research etc. so that our intellectual curiosity starts growing, once
curiosity grows that desire to explore take us to develop our creativity thru the analysis and
reasoning and pondering on a matter or something that we have started to know. How may we
develop more these senses of intellectual curiosity, creativity and analysis in us and in the students,
there are many chances some of which I have experienced as a student, some could be by
applying games, visits, trips, practical works and investigations to enrich our lives as teachers and
enlighten and enrich the lives of our students to help them be well prepared to face the changes of
the professional and personal life. Learning to do: To develop the talent to be competitive which can
be in specific areas, this includes learn to work in teams where we can learn from other teachers
skills of communication, teaching, teambuilding, problem solving, dealing with difficult parents or
 students, service etc., shaping us better for the future. *Learning to live together: As teachers we
are also responsible to help our students to develop empathy among them so that they can always
show a positive attitude towards others, this will help them to be prepared for the future to have
good interpersonal relations. *Learning to be: Is also our duty to help students to discover and
make them to realize who they are and how important and special beings they are, so that they will
value themselves, they will value other members of their family and will also be good citizens as
they value any person in the society.
As teachers I think we need to be the best examples of living this, at school and wherever we are,
not only when students are in front, we need to learn to be, we are teachers, but sometimes we
teach this kind of things better by example than by theory, what I mean is that we need to live what
we teach. As we try our best in applying this four pillars, which I have found are fundamental for
teachers to know, I think and feel that we will prepare the best citizens, persons and professionals
of the world. As we see the newspaper or whenever we look for a job, we can see that these 4
pillars are consider, not exactly with the same names, but they are required.
Reply
Replies
1.
AnonymousDecember 15, 2014 at 4:09 AM

It so USEFUL.
Reply

8.

Diana MezaDecember 1, 2011 at 3:09 PM

As educators it is our duty to prepare our students for life, providing them with the skills and tools
they will need to hopefully succeed in everything they do. These skills cannot be narrowed down to
the knowledge they might get from books. We need methods to teach them to encounter different
situations in life, situations that might not be in any lesson the classroom might provide. Our society
is growing into a larger scale, we are a global community, and this community is demanding more
from us than it ever did before. Teach them for life that is what we should be doing and what many
educators believe is the way to go. UNESCO identifies four pillars of education as the key for our
young generation. Children should learn to be, learning to know, to live together and learn to do. By
learning to be students are expected to get to know themselves in a way where they can bring
about the best from within and work their way into becoming better human beings. Learning to
know will help us understand what we need to learn and keep our knowledge up-to-date with such
a changing technology. Learning to live together nowadays is one of the most important aspects in
our society; we need to learn to accept, respect and embrace differences regardless of gender,
ethnicity, etc. We also need to learn to resolve and avoid conflict. Learning to do is the skill that
helps us be the best that we can be at what we do, learning to do it well and to precisely know the
steps to make it.
Reply

9.

Martha SandovalDecember 1, 2011 at 3:50 PM

When referring to education it is always important to keep in mind this changing world we live in.
Sometimes we might think that we have learned enough, but there are things we have to keep on
learning throughout our lives. Learning is a continuous process that takes place, I think, for as long
as we live, we never stop learning so it is very important that we know how to learn. This particular
aspect of our education has to do with another pillar of education, learning to know, since laying
the foundations for learning throughout life, gives us the basis for life, knowing that learning is an
ongoing process. Learning to do is also very important because we need to be able to know how to
do things, being able to make difficult decisions, and also being able to work closely with others,
 and I agree that some of this aspects we learn as students, it is very hard sometimes to learn them
as adults. But for all this to work we have to learn to be. None of the pillars will have a purpose if
we dont learn how to be, know what we, as individuals are capable of doing. It is important to know
how high we can fly. It is also important to know that this world is made up of different kinds of
people and that we need to respect one another no matter what differences we might have, this
also is part of education.
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10.

evelyn suazoDecember 1, 2011 at 7:38 PM

How are these four pillars related to our role as teachers in our attempt to educate others?
The role of the teacher is understanding students needs, and engaging them in their learning
experiences The four pillars talk about the different needs students have in this new century and
how we can help them develop into citizens that can learn to be individuals and still live in a
society.
In learning to know let us know that we dont need to forget the basic of learning that is
memorisation and concentration.
In Learning to do students they dont need to have phisical abilities because most of the work is
intelectual and be creative.
In learning to live together well we live in a society that is become very violent. Then we need to
start changing the society from scratch that is with new student. We need to teach them to live in
peace and harmony and respect others individualities.
In learning to be my favorite one because I can still have my own individuality and still live in this
new society without hurting other peoples feeling and be as creative as I wish.
The four pillars I see them basically with some of Confucius way of living in witch you can be
yourself and still live in society as long as you respect other peoples ideas and creativity.
Reply
11.

Gisselle PadillaDecember 1, 2011 at 8:22 PM

As Educators and as part of a society we need to combine these four to be better as teachers as
well as human being. Learning to know means to acquire al instruments or tools for
comprehension, it involves pure knowledge for present and the future application; it implies of
knowing your surroundings.
Memory and Concentration are important skills to develop in order to achieve this important pillar of
education. The process of learning to think is one of the most difficult objectives of education since
it involves ones capability intelligence, knowledge, develop skills and environment.
Learning to do is putting into practice what you have learn or pure knowledge in application with
your thinking skills like what you can synthesis, memorize etc. Also is to be able to influence the
own environment, Training the human being to face an amount of interactions and have a team
work attitude. This means that learning to do will develop the professional qualification for the world
competence. Remember that personal competence are based on a body of theoretical and
practical knowledge combined with personal dynamism and good problem-solving, decision-
making, innovative and team skills.
Learning to be together it means to participate and cooperate with others, in this pillar education
plays an important role because it will make the difference between doing the right thing and the
wrong, when the human being is able to understand diversity and to be tolerance with others. This
in this point is where we make the difference, also this approach should make us get involve in
social activities like charity ect. Learning to be it means the development of our own personality,
self-criticism and self control I can say that learning to be is learning how to be a human being. in
this pillar I understand that is the acquisition of skills, knowledge, values ect. With this we get to a
complete fulfillment of a human.
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12.
 Marta Leon GomezDecember 1, 2011 at 8:40 PM

After reading this document I got to the conclusion that all four pillars are important none by itself
could make education complete. Each of them complement each other, just like in society
everything is connected or like parents depends on teachers to help them complement their child
education. As a parent and teacher I believe it is responsibility of the parents to stimulate our baby
at home and begin with the process of showing him the world and make him curious about what
happens around. This will help him with its concentration skills and ability to think. On the other
hand when a child has the opportunity of going to school is exposed to interact with other kids and
adults, which is very important for their personal relationships. In this same process children are
ask to accomplish different activities and should be able to follow instruction and make their best
effort. As the document said learning to do will prepare them for different tasks in their future life
and will also help them learn from their mistakes. As parents and teacher we can leave footprints in
a child by helping them understand themselves, promote self confidence, independent thinking in
social experience. All this aspects are included in the process of education and are extremely
important to accomplish the goal of learning at a higher level.
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13.

Steph SuazoDecember 1, 2011 at 8:45 PM

The four pillars of education, I think that they all are linked together because as teacher we have to
know our students, their environment, how they learn, knowing how to teach and the most
important thing is to prepare our students for the world outside, that they could have the tools and
skills to be successful in their life. The first pillar is learning to know, is a type of learning that
develops ones concentration, memory skills and the ability to think. The second pillar is learning to
do, is to give meaningful knowledge, skills and tools to equip students to do the best of themselves
for their future. The third pillar is learning to live together, in our present, violence often dominates
life. We have to teach values, humans diversity, respecting difference opinions or ways of thinking
and to dialogue for resolving conflicts. The last pillar is learning to be, education should contribute
to every persons complete development, is personality training; education should be individualized
process and making a balance at the same time with interactive social experience. Concerning in
developing imagination and creativity. To complete fulfillment of a person in all richness of his/her
personality as an individual, member of a family, citizen, producer and creative dreamer.
Reply
14.

Nydia LopezDecember 1, 2011 at 9:04 PM

In todays turmoil of a world, weve come to realize that education needs to evolve in order to face
the challenges of this ever-changing society. Endless issues like the labor market, economy, global-
warming, religion, politics and so forth are just a tidbit of what we are forced to deal with and handle
as part of our daily life. Learning to live together is fundamental due to the prior fact, we need to
learn to be tolerant and to accept differences in any way shape or form, in fact learn to see them
as enriching. We must learn and appreciate our world, our communities, and surroundings, learn
from our history and really attain the message of past glories or ancient conflicts. Why? Because
we must never forget which mistakes have led us to our current triumph or failure. Once I read in
the Holocaust Memorial Museum the following, Never forget, never again. That phrase stuck to
me, it made me think that to avoid making the same mistakes of intolerance we MUST NOT forget
about them. Contemporary society is pushing us to become life-long learners, if we stop looking
for knowledge and information we will eventually be left behind. Surfing the rough waters of the
world requires us to grab ahold of everything we know and apply it to whatever context we are set
in. If we dont , the riptides will undoubtedly part with us. Nothing is exclusive of a subject matter
anymore, we need to be ready to walk down any path we encounter putting every bit we know to
make it work to our benefit, but moreover to the benefit of mankind. We must find that motivation
within to explore and strengthen all our potentials and use them as tools to accomplish success not
only as human beings, but as a member of a global community. We must learn to be. The
connection tour teaching role, if we, the adults must comply with all of the above, it is our duty to
 enable our students to function in such a world. Provide them with the opportunities to learn the
skills they require to perform successfully in a world that twists and turns dramatically.
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15.

Karen ColomerDecember 1, 2011 at 9:16 PM

In what refers to education we must take into consideration what surrounds us, firs of all The
Society which is becoming hard so we must keep in constant learning day by day. No matter our
age or our condition, we must focus every time on education which is constantly changing, and for
that the 4 pillars of education must go hand by hand because one leads another, but it is important
to begin with ourselves applying the four pillars in our daily life, cause education takes a place in
our life in a different way at a different time, but without the four pillars education wont be
complete, it shall be as everything common sense (which sometimes we dont use) we are
Learning to know Learning to do Learning to live together learning to be we shall apply them
in our daily life as teachers, parents and guide our students through them.
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16.

karla RodriguezDecember 1, 2011 at 9:27 PM

The Four Pillars of the Education

The process of learning really implies several stages in our lives, it all matters, where we live, who
do we live with, and what do we do. It also involves every person around us, teacher, parents,
family, etc In order to successfully integrate everything that is important in education the
UNESCO suggests four pillars; they are: learning to know, learning to do, learning to live together
and learning to be.
Though out our lives we can see the importance of memory skill and the ability to think critically
because life is about taking decisions, these skills form the base for learning to know. As teachers,
we can make a difference in our society if we teach these two skills in different ways in order to
make learning an enjoyable process for our students. Whatever we do with our children it endures
for life!
Education must be useful to our students in the most practical sense possible. In learning to do we
must teach what is absolutely necessary for success in the current times and elaborate from there
when possible. This means that the teaching curricula and didactics must evolve at the same pace
of changes in society and all of its elements like the economy, politics, etc
The education tasks involve all aspects in our environment. Sometimes we may ask ourselves why
other countries have faster development experiences than others, well the answer is education. In
learning to live together students must learn to understand other cultures, customs, ways of living,
needs, etc Though this pillar in education, people will be more tolerant and avoid conflicts which
are two essential conditions for peace and progress.
I think, we all deserve the opportunity to learn, to enhance our talents, every children and young
person should be offered every opportunity to be artistic, scientific, cultural or for social discovery
and experimentation. The feeling of successful, achievement and development is paramount in the
life of a human being and if we can achieve it through education, this could be a tremendous
incentive for individual achievement and consequently collective progress.
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17.

Ana Valeria GamezDecember 1, 2011 at 10:16 PM

I believe that as educators we must stick to those four pillars as a feedback to our teaching
philosophy. We must consider that the world is constantly changing and new advances are arising,
we should prepare in order we enrich our students needs, Learning to know, is just simply what we
 learn since we born, our background knowledge which is important to learn different things in which
you make connections between what you already know and what you are learning, as teachers we
must let our students know the purpose of learning new things and what do we expect them to do,
there comes the Learn to do, which I consider that an essential part of the an educator is to
encourage their students to think how are they going to solve a problem? How to create new
things? And making the right decisions for their lifes which is part of the Learning to be, students
must learn that not everybody has the same abilities and that part of learning being an human is to
accept others differences. Teachers should give their students the feedback and guidance that
enables them to develop their abilities in different situations, such as team work in which they also
learn how to deal, listen and respect others opinions in order they learn to live together, cooperating
and willing to help others . As educators we have an enormous responsibility; teaching for life and
preparing the professionals that this world is requiring, so we must not leave these pillars behind!
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18.

Delmy ValladaresDecember 1, 2011 at 10:38 PM

As educators we are is very important to be aware of the four most important pillars of education for
different forms of skills acquired in learning.
Four levels of education have been trying to adapt the world to be people with the ability to live in a
world with changing trends. EDUCATION treasure within.
To fulfill the mission of education must be structured in four fundamental ways of learning to
achieve significant cognitive development of each person (the four pillars of knowledge).
1.-Learning to know: Each person, understand the world around him, so less likely to acquire
domain knowledge to themselves instruments of knowledge. Stresses the importance of research
and suggests that cooperation is made from. Elaborates on the fact to learning emphasizing issues
such as proposed selective memory and associative, the attention of perception should open and
helpful in nature and thought from his perspective that indicates deductive and inductive
(concreteness and abstraction). Finally note that the acquisition of knowledge is an endless
process that remains while experiencing life.

2 .- Learning to be: two questions arise teach how to practice what you learned? And how to adapt
teaching to the new world of work? It is closely linked to vocational training, teaching students how
to implement their knowledge and adapt their teaching to the labor market.

3 .- Learning to live together or live together: This learning is undoubtedly the main premises of
Education through the joint participation of common life projects within the school environment,
community, family and peers.

4 .- Learning to be: I think the best way to summarize this section is literally putting which is the
fundamental principle of this Commission of UNESCO: "Education should contribute to the overall
development of each person: body, mind, intelligence, sensitivity , aesthetic sense, personal
responsibility, spirituality. All human beings must be able, in particular through the education
received in his youth, to acquire an independent and critical thinking and to develop their own
views, to determine for themselves what to do in different circumstances of life .
As education throughout life is based primarily on the four pillars of knowledge: Learning to know,
learning to do, learning to live together and learning to be.
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19.

JJLaraDecember 2, 2011 at 6:08 AM

Following with your discussion and comments, which are very good, by the way, I must admit
though, I ranked them. For me number one is Learning to Be, I think its a tough one. We are all
born with a set of personality traits, talents, abilities, etc and sadly and more often than not, these
qualities are lost because of a lack of fortitude of character, discipline, intrinsic motivation and high
moral standards. Highly talented people, both adults and even children, do not develop their full
 potential because of it. How many times have we heard of very intelligent and talented people of
whom much is expected, and suddenly they are caught up in vice and destructive behavior? I think
one of my jobs as a teacher is to nurture my students so they can tap into themselves find their way
and go and be the best they can. I relate this very closely with learning to live together. We have
done this since the beginning but it seems that nowadays, respect and harmony and justice is
lacking in our societies, which shows as that mere knowledge and technology is not the answer to
world problems necessarily.
With a sound basis on character and the compassion, then the mastery of learning tools and
learning how to learn (learning to know) and the know how, (learning to do), should become
easier.
Am I really nurturing my students to help them develop their full potential? Hmmm, tricky. Am I a
learner and in this process myself? I hope so.
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20.

Ligia AguilarDecember 2, 2011 at 6:20 AM

Well done everybody!! I can see that you are taking the four pillars seriously. Keep it up!
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21.

Janine IriasDecember 2, 2011 at 9:26 AM

The Four Pillars of Education

In my opinion these four pillars are essential in ones life. I am daring to use this word mostly
because I think, and I am sure, that if humans all around the world dare to work, think, and live
focusing in the four pillars of education life and the world would give a drastic change for everyone,
in a good way. Life would be easier if racism stopped, if we could just see each other as a whole,
keeping in mind that no one is better than the other and by working together, once the world is
united, things would be better. If this worked perfectly as described wars would come to an end,
and maybe we could even stop global warming and have the world nice and neat for the upcoming
generation. It all starts by learning how to live together, if we could do this without comparing your
life with others this is when it will all begin to work just right. Once your self-esteem is low and that
you cant perform a specific task is when you begin to fail and every little thing that surrounds you
will come to an end as well. If this happened, one of the pillars of education is not working,
Learning to be. Once one of the pillars begins to fail some other will fail as well and so on until
you have no pillars to look out for, and life will be as it is. Life will be a race, a competition with the
rest of the world of who is better in life and not focusing in having a better world, we will ruin it.
I consider that there should be a balance between the four pillars, once you Learn how to live
together in harmony now you will be able to feel free and show what you can really do in life and
fight for your own goals and help others with their own. When this happens you will feel confident
that nothing is impossible and that you can overpass any obstacle that life brings to you. If you
focus on the four pillars, the last but not least pillar of education, learning to know, helps keep
everything straight. Everything that you have been doing will be an experience; learning experience
that will last throughout a life time.
JANINE IRIAS(0801189808730)
Reply
22.

Anna SabillnDecember 2, 2011 at 10:24 AM

Everybody should take in consideration what UNESCO has to say in this report. Understanding the
Four Pillars of Education can make us become better people as well as improve our lives as
teachers. Being able to learn to know can help us gain a deeper comprehension of the world that
surrounds us, by mastering learning tools, developing concentration, memory skills and the ability
to think. Human beings need all these to solve problems, have abstract thoughts and to be capable
of combining deductive and inductive reasoning, so learning to do wont be so difficult. In these
times the more we know the better; but if we are not qualified to do things, it makes it almost
 impossible to succeed. Occupational and skill training, personal competence, social behavior,
personal initiative, willingness to take risks and group work abilities are as important and necessary
today. Having the conviction that learning to live together will leave us a better world is essential
and education should be the best weapon for it, we should teach how to avoid conflict or peacefully
resolve it, even tough it is a difficult challenge since competition, media exposure, the human ability
for self destruction and for overestimating our and other abilities develop into tension between each
other, rich and poor , young and adults, black and white, we can teach empathy, human rights,
values to help our new generations discover each other and to encourage them to get together in
common projects for common well. In order to learn to be, we as educators most ensure personal
resources and intellectual tools; although we must also make sure people learn to enjoy freedom of
thought, judgment, feelings and imagination so we can contribute in everybodys development.
Anna Sabilln
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23.

Sandra WeberDecember 2, 2011 at 11:32 AM

Our rapidly dwindling world may seem as an enemy to most of those whose passion is to aid and
help those hungry vassals with as much information, teaching them to learn throughout their own
lives. It has become my biggest ambition to be that individual with the power to lead extraordinary
human beings no matter their race, color, or social status and even their abilities to express
themselves. Nevertheless, there is always a need for a guide to answer those inevitable questions
of: Why go to school every day to gain information from teachers that is available to most
individuals with access to such information through a mere technical apparatus? My personal
quest was always to find an answer to my own purpose which was gained through those individual
whom I myself guide. Education is not just a classroom; it is not just teachers or students.
Education is a community in and outside our classroom and nowadays our city, country and even
continent. As an educator I am that guide which will lead, teach, and open every door to those who
gain knowledge from myself and history itself. The pillars serve as a guide in reaching my goals.
They guide in my own philosophy of education that which will contribute to the society which my
students will inevitably confront in the long run. It is important as educators to not just teach basic
knowledge but enhance students curiosity with research and experimentation. To help them put
what is learned into practice in a creative and ingenious manner. The purpose of my existence in
their lives is to aid them in the understanding of themselves. It could be that my mere existence is
to guide my students in learning to live together. Once they have an idea of who they are and what
they are capable they will figure out a way to manage the inevitable conflicts of their society in a
peaceful manner. I believe that only teachers can enjoy the pillar of learning to be for here is
where the fruit of my work is revealed. It is in this pillar where my own guidance shines with the
brightest light. To see my empty vassal filled with its OWN ideas, thoughts, feelings and creativity.
As educators we can never overlook what is placed in our hands. We must have a clear idea of our
purpose that which is the production of effective citizens, individuals with self-respect that
contribute to their family, community and country. The four pillars of education hold everything
together and enable students to learn to know, learn to do, learn to live together and learn to be.
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24.

Alejandra Quesada LuqueDecember 2, 2011 at 1:30 PM

The four pillars are the basics of human knowledge. These pillars are skills which need to be
developed. Our responsibility is to guide young minds through their growth so they can be
successful and be all they can be. If we can teach them down to others correctly and with care, we
will become better teachers and better people as well. No human will know everything but applying
each and every one of these basic skills will provide the tools necessary to live correctly and with
respect to others.
Learning to know stands for acquiring the knowledge we need to reach our purpose and have a
decent life. Learning to do is learning to apply that knowledge the right way. Making it work for the
benefit of ourselves and others.
 When learning to do we must respect others and that is when learning to live together becomes
important. We must use our skills in what we do but we must also do it as a part of a community.
No one is capable of everything on their own and we all need help.
Finally learning to be is learning how to grow in that community. We must learn how to always keep
cultivating our personalities and our own thoughts and ideas. Having a critic mind and
distinguishing useful knowledge from a useless one is an important part of this.
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25.

Eva SnchezDecember 2, 2011 at 1:30 PM

Teachers should apply the four pillars of education to everything they do. Making students get the
tools to understand and learn about their own world is a must, so they can analyze it and discover
its beauty. Learning to pay attention, use their memory and have a critical thinking will be useful in
their life. Learning to do has a new meaning nowadays, since having interpersonal skills,
occupational training, and social behavior, not just academic knowledge is necessary to achieve
goals. Teachers have to encourage team work, cooperative learning, problem solving abilities,
innovation and decision making as well as scientific knowledge to make sure that students will be
capable get in to the work force with all the tools they will need. By teaching values, morality,
discipline, love for their peers and setting a good example we allow them to learn to live together. If
we guide them into understanding each other, treating them as we would like to be treated and
working together towards the same goal they will learn to be agents of change as they contribute to
develop into people who have fair judgements, critical thinking and a responsible for their own
actions as for the world they are living in.
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26.

Edgardo RomeroDecember 2, 2011 at 2:09 PM

Being a teacher is a devotion not just an occupation, having the four pillars of education as a guide
for us to lead students into a more peaceful and understanding world is a tool that we must take
advantage of. To be leaders or guides in childrens life might be a difficult task; but if we manage to
encourage them to think, to analyze to have a better understanding of themselves we can
accomplish a lot. Encouraging students to influence over their own life and the world they live in
has to be our duty, to let them realize that education is not just to get a job; but to become better
citizens, better human beings. If we can succeed in these tasks we will be leaving, for the future to
come, new leaders with the ability to overcome any difficulty, who are fair and have a critical and
analytical point of view and are responsible for their own acts, people who will get really involved in
their society and the way it develops. I believe that education at all levels should be a holistic idea
guided by integrity, moral, values and as teachers we have to lead the way to make these changes
possible having the four pillars of education as our guide.
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27.

Ada MartinezDecember 2, 2011 at 6:36 PM

First of all I must say that I feel grateful for my education, after reading all the information about
education itself I realized how important it is for us, and I am not talking just about the knowledge
we acquire in school, but that we gain throughout life. All the four learning pillars talk about how we
gain knowledge with experience and that technical definitions and reactions we learn through a
teacher; it is what we do for success as a professional and personal life experience, it is what we
are , what we become after all the knowledge is drop inside our minds.
After going throughout the pillars, I identify myself with Learning to Live, having the ability to have
our knowledge model our character and who we are and how we react to situations that are
presents to us. Daily basis is the most appreciated education we can have, it won`t matter if you
have gone through High school or college, having a master would we abolished just having the
adequate way to react to those situations that represent a challenge in life.
As a teacher I must say, that we need to learn and engage all these pillars as we guide others to
 find themselves in the world. And the most important pillar to embrace as teachers must be to teach
Learning to do , we need to make students realize they can do anything they want if they just try.
Once they acquire all the pillars and put them into practice, the world`s doors will be open.
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28.

Kennia FuentesDecember 2, 2011 at 6:42 PM

As educators I believe we have a huge commitment with our students, we are able to touch our
students lives, we can make an impact on them, it is our duty to prepare them to face everyday
challenges, prepare them for life (Learning to be). Here lies the foundation for true learning to take
place, I believe that in order for meaningful acquisition of knowledge, we have to integrate the four
pillars of education, one cant be separated from the other. As humans we are social beings,
though at times we might wander on our own, we need to have people to comfort us, support us,
and why not, even people who inform us of our shortcomings, we need to learn how to accept each
other, and respect the way other people think or feel, when we assign group work this is one skill
we are reinforcing, they might have different opinions, but they need to learn how to compromise
(Learning to live together). We have to instruct children to be able to discriminate information, the
media offers an infinite amount of information, however, not all information is adequate, they must
develop their own ideas and opinions (Learning to know). Students have to use what they know in
order to decide how they will act.
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29.

Elka MoncadaDecember 2, 2011 at 6:59 PM

This article refers specifically to our tasks and the way we learn, I loved this article particularly
because it specifies how we learn from the world, from each other. It also defines how people learn,
the skill, the practicality, the way we interact and the way we learn throughout life as it goes. It also
made me think about the way we teach our children, as educators we have to remember that we all
are integral beings; we have emotional factors that control our learning skills, we have genetics and
we also have personality, which contribute to our daily learning experience.
We also have to have in mind, that everybody learns in different ways and that everything that
surrounds us makes either a positive or a negative impact in our life. The four pillars are based in
all of the aspects mentioned before, but I really think that the most important aspect for a
successful harmonious social relationship with others is getting to know each other and learning
to know the people and every aspect of our environment to understand the world around us. I also
think that kids learn to respect everybody else`s ideas, opinion; and to teach tolerance and respect
is a hard thing to do, especially with teenagers in my personal experience. These type of things
need to be taught in a constant way, in a daily basis, since a very early age; in order to be acquired.
Finally, as teachers we should always have in mind that children explore everything around them,
and that they learn something every day, either because they`ve been taught or by experience.
Reply
30.

Joanna Vides CooperDecember 3, 2011 at 6:13 AM

When I read this article, I thought about the UNESCO did well in establishing the four pillars of
education because, It is important to be detailed of what it means so people can act responsible
and can live a better life. This should be edited for people to see daily so they can get the right
picture. To share the same world will only be easy if people start acting responsibly and help
together find solutions to day to day problems. I find myself agreeing to this because, education
shouldnt have a price, and it should be affordable for everyone and not discriminate people,
instead, encourage them to keep educating themselves. Following these four Pillars of education,
we would be ensuring a good education on children and filled with values which are the base core
of all life. This provides an opportunity for people with few or no formal educational qualifications.
 Also, there is a growing trend among employers to evaluate potential employees in terms of their
personal competence rather than certified skills which they see as merely demonstrating the ability
to perform specific physical tasks through social behavior, personal initiative and a willingness to
take risks. From early childhood, it should focus on the discovery of other people in the first stage
of education. Learning to do means, education with application, not theory based.
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31.

Katherine AgeroDecember 3, 2011 at 11:22 AM

Learning to live together means to participate and cooperate with the other people and I could
understand that we need to strength our educational systems around many places, since we live in
a violent world. Learning to do means, to be able to act creatively in ones environment, it is
education with application, not theory based, you do hands on and experiments. Learning to Be is
education that allows students to get to know their abilities, and feel free to be who they want to be
without feeling different among others, as well as letting students to develop their personalities and
act with great autonomy, judgment and personal responsibility. Learning to know is acquiring the
instruments of knowledge, It is important that students can achieve certain skills from each of the
pillars that can make them become better individuals and live in a society. This means teachers,
must commit on making students to get involved on discovering each one as individuals. As
teachers we must get and include a small part of each of the four pillars in our classrooms, to
create an environment where children can feel safe and comfort with their learning. It is in fact
important to conclude that no construction can be well done if the basis or pillars are not strong
enough to stand firm for long time. Just as our kids need to have strong values and learnings on
their first stages of life so when they grow up can become better people for our world.
Reply

32.

Rosa Maria MaciasDecember 3, 2011 at 11:27 AM

Learning through practice .The 20th century had had a lot of changes and increased the knowledge
of all the people who are open to learn and learning had become a way of life, because life is just a
workshop for all of us. This Commission had made an emphasis on four pillars to describe the
foundations of education.
The first pillar is learning to know. Nowadays it is really important the knowledge we get, according
to the challenges life is offering so many ways to progress, but it requires some conditions, one is
that we need to increase our knowledge through a career or studying to learn to know how to do
something in a job
The second is learning to do .through practice or working in groups is a very good chance for
students to learn, especially because human been like competition and they usually try to do their
best, as if they got to win something, in that way they have the chance to try out or develop their
abilities and then they are getting involved in their team at the same time they had become part of
it.
The third pillar is learning to be. : Our buried treasure must be left untapped. memory, reasoning
power, imagination, physical ability, an esthetic sense, the aptitude to communicate with others and
the natural charisma of the group leader, which again goes to prove the need for greater self-
knowledge, we can learn to be what we spect from ourselves only if we dig to find our treasure
developing or increasing our knowledge and get our goals done. And even after this, we still need
to be firm on the learning process and open all those doors we still want to open and continue
learning every single day
And the fourth is learning to live together: its really important to learn to know the people around us
try to understand them their culture traditions and their spiritual values, it will help us to accept their
way of living and to use to them, face challenges with enthusiasm and courage to get over any
situation .being positive thinking that we can do anything we want with Our Heavenly Fathers help,
recognizing his help in our life.
It is really important that we study to get to the practice and then get the experience to be part of
our life, we need to be able to learn each day of our life and face all the challenges that are in our
 way. Life is the better workshop for us but without the knowledge we wont learn as fast as we
need. This is the century of the changes and we need to be prepared for all those changes.

ROSA MARIA MACIAS RAMIREZ Marymac

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33.

Stephanie JalilDecember 4, 2011 at 3:15 PM

These four pillars is the way teaching and learning becomes a complete life lesson experience.
How we as educators should integrate every aspect in life, form values aside from the actual
content to be taught. We can work as guides or model to them for a broad general education to
give different learning opportunities that will help us in the day by day experiences. We help
students know and understand that what we see of our world is not even half of what it actually is.
They need to know that this world has its good and bad times, they need to live this experiences
that will help them mature and find their own way of dealing with this issues. We as teachers can
help as a guide but we cant explain this experience, is a life learning lesson. But we can certainly
be there to help and support. They need to recognize that knowledge is attained but the way its
used or put on practice at the end is going to be up to them. The existence of human diversity and
how we need to respect other peoples points of view and goals, because we all have the same
rights and freedom of speech, to know that probably their goal is the same as someone else and
that maybe this person has actually putted more of a fight to obtain it, work in a collaborative way to
succeed, be more humanitarian, enrich their relationships with other people. We as teachers can
help them love and engage their goals in order to obtain them. We mark our students in every
aspect, and by this we are part of their future.
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34.

Marcia JoanDecember 5, 2011 at 4:38 PM

The four pillars of education are related between each other. We as teacher become a very
important part of our students life. We are a role model for them so we have to be a good model for
them. The first pillar talks about learning to know, is about the knoweledge we get through life
experiences and how we react to each one. It helps us grow in a mature way. The second pillar is
learning to do, work as individuals and as a group. Put all our knowledge and share it to make an
important influence in our world. The third pillar learning to be, respect all way of thinking even if we
dont support. We have a variety of opinions and we have to work along. The fourth pillar, learning
to live together, is in my opinion the most problematic of the pillars because of the variety of points
of view and goals we all humans have.We nned to get along and be respectfull, as teachers we can
influence in the most positive way to make a better human beings. We must work along the four
pillars and emphasize every day!
Reply

Four Pillars of Learning for the Reorientation and Reorganization of Curriculum:

Reflections and Discussions Zhou Nan-Zhao* Introduction In achieving the goals of
quality education for all (EFA) there is a great need to develop a broadened vision of
educational goals, to facilitate holistic approaches to reorganizing educational
contents, and to build national capacity in developing key competencies required of
all learners through curriculum renewal in emerging knowledge-based societies of
the 21st century. In an information-intensive age, education is mandated to respond
to demands in two directions: on the one hand, it has to transmit an increasing
amount of constantly evolving knowledge and know -how adapted to a knowledge-
driven civilization; on the other hand, it has to enable learners not to be
overwhelmed by the flows of information, while keeping personal and social
development as its end in view. Therefore education must ...simultaneously provide
maps of a complex world in constant turmoil and the compass that will enable
people to find their way in it. (Delors et al, p85). Curriculum change has become
increasingly important, inasmuch as it is essential that what students learn is
relevant to them as individuals and members of society, in their present and future
contexts. It lies at the center of educational processes in enabling learners to
become not only successful learning achievers at school but also responsible
citizens, effective workers, caring community members, and life-long learners, in an
increasingly interdependent world. This paper is intended to reflect on the four
pillars of learning, as proposed by the International Commission for the Twenty-first
Century, in its Report (Delors et al) to UNESCO, Learning: The Treasure Within, and
to discuss their implications for curricular change both as guiding principles for and
cross-cutting themes. A central argument is that if education is to succeed in its
tasks, curriculum as its core should be restructured or repacked around the four
pillars of learning: learning to know, learning to do, learning to live together, and
learning to be. Redefining Curriculum and Curriculum Change Curriculum is a critical
factor affecting educational quality and learning achievement. Numerous research
studies have shed light on main factors affecting or accounting for learning
achievements, or quality of education. In an input-process-outcomes framework,
curriculum content and textbooks and learning materials are among the major
school inputs. They are also a major dimension of quality education (UNESCO,
2004). The concern to renew curriculum has been at the heart of the world-wide
efforts in improving quality of education for all. There are varied definitions of
curriculum. For one, curriculum may mean the way educational content is
organized and presented in classroom and after-school activities to meet different
learning needs. In changing educational and development contexts, curriculum is
no longer merely a conveyor or product of a particular body of knowledge but a
dynamic process of actual learning acquisition and inquiry of the unknown through
teacher-learner interaction and cooperation. From a pragmatic viewpoint,
curriculum could be seen as both process and product, comprising all learning and
other experiences that the school or education system plans for its learners. As
education influences and reflects the values of society it is necessary to recognize a
broad set of common values and purposes that underpin curriculum. It is important
to take note of the changing nature of curriculum development as an ongoing
process aimed at organizing better learning opportunities and thus focuses on
actual interactions between the teacher and the learner (IBE, 1999). It implies
continuing efforts in translating educational goals into appropriately designed
learning materials, activities and observable behavioral changes. Varied curriculum
development models have been applied for fundamental reorganization or
repackaging of curriculum content and delivery method. Curriculum change in this
Resource Pak is defined as a dynamic process involving many stakeholders and
responding to diversified learning needs as well as social demands Using the four
pillars of learning as fundamental principles and cross-cutting themes is intended to
be an alternative approach to the facilitation of curriculum change through resetting
objectives, identifying/selecting key competencies, and integration of relevant
knowledge, skills and values across curriculum areas or learning domains. Revisiting
the Four Pillars of Learning In order that the essence of the four pillars of learning
be appropriately interpreted, a brief snapshot follows of what each relates to in term
of educational context. Learning to know This type of learning is radically different
from acquiring itemized codified information or factual knowledge, as often
stressed in conventional curriculum and in rote learning. Rather it implies the
mastering of the instruments of knowledge themselves. Acquiring knowledge in a
never-ending process and can be enriched by all forms of experience. Learning to
know includes the development of the faculties of memory, imagination, reasoning,
problem-solving, and the ability to think in a coherent and critical way. It is a
process of discovery, which takes time and involves going more deeply into the
information/knowledge delivered through subject teaching. Learning to know
presupposes learning to learn, calling upon the power of concentration, memory
and thought, so as to benefit from ongoing educational opportunities continuously
arising (formally and non-formally) throughout life. Therefore learning to know can
be regarded as both a means and an end in learning itself and in life. As a means, it
serves to enable individual learners to understand the very least enough about the
nature, about humankind and its history, about his/her environment, and about
society at large. As an end, it enables the learner to experience the pleasure of
knowing, discovering and understanding as a process. Learning to do This pillar of
learning implies in the first place for application of what learners have learned or
known into practices; it is closely linked to vocational-technical education and work
skills training. However it goes beyond narrowly defined skills development for
doing specific things or practical tasks in traditional or industrial economies. The
emerging knowledge-based economy is making human work increasingly
immaterial. Learning to do calls for new types of skills, more behavioral than
intellectual. The material and the technology are becoming secondary to human
qualities and interpersonal relationship. Learning to do thus implies a shift from skill
to competence, or a mix of higher-order skills specific to each individual. The
ascendancy of knowledge and information as factors of production systems is
making the idea of occupational skills obsolete and is bringing personal competency
to the fore. Thus learning to do means, among other things, ability to
communicate effectively with others; aptitude toward team work; social skills in
building meaningful interpersonal relations; adaptability to change in the world of
work and in social life; competency in transforming knowledge into innovations and
job-creation; and a readiness to take risks and resolve or manage conflicts. Learning
to live together In the context of increasing globalization, the Delors Commission
places a special emphasis on this pillar of learning. It implies an education taking
two complementary paths: on one level, discovery of others and on another,
experience of shared purposes throughout life. Specifically it implies the
development of such qualities as: knowledge and understanding of self and others;
appreciation of the diversity of the human race and an awareness of the similarities
between, and the interdependence of, all humans; empathy and cooperative social
behavior in caring and sharing; respect of other people and their cultures and value
systems; capability of encountering others and resolving conflicts through dialogue;
and competency in working towards common objectives . Learning to be This type
of learning was first conceptualized in the Report to UNESCO in 1972, Learning To
Be (Edgar Faure et al), out of the fear that the world would be dehumanized as a
result of technical change. It was based on the principle that the aim of
development is the complete fulfillment of man, in all the richness of his
personality, the complexity of his forms of expression and his various commitments
as individual, member of a family and of a community, citizen and producer,
inventor of techniques and creative dreamer. Learning to be may therefore be
interpreted in one way as learning to be human, through acquisition of knowledge,
skills and values conducive to personality development in its intellectual, moral,
cultural and physical dimensions. This implies a curriculum aiming at cultivating
qualities of imagination and creativity; acquiring universally shared human values;
developing aspe! cts of a persons potential: memory, reasoning, aesthetic sense,
physical capacity and communication/social skills; developing critical thinking and
exercising independent judgment; and developing personal commitment and
responsibility. It is important to note that the four pillars of learning relate to all
phases and areas of education. They support and interpenetrate one another and
should therefore be applied as basic principles, cross-cutting themes and generic
competences for integration in and across subject areas or learning domains. Pillars
of Learning for Reorienting Curriculum Objectives Generally speaking, school
curriculum seeks to achieve two broad aims: one to provide equal opportunities for
all pupils to learn and to achieve, for best possible progress and at the highest
attainment. The other is to promote learners spiritual, moral, social and cultural
development and prepare all pupils for the world of work and societal
responsibilities. Curriculum objectives are derived from over-arching educational
goals, which address human development at both personal and societal levels. On
one hand education is a very individualized process, whose stages correspond to
those of the continuous maturing of the personality. On the other hand, it represents
a process of constructing social interaction (Delors, p. 95). From this perspective
the four pillars of learning indicate broad goals of education in a new century and
could thereby reorient the setting of curriculum objectives. Firstly, the pillar of
learning to be reflects a shift from an instrumental view of education, as a process
one submits to achieve specific aims (e.g. economic productivity), to a humanistic
view of education that emphasizes the development of the complete person, in
short, learning to be (Delors, p.86). They imply an educational aimed at all-rounded
development and full flowering of the human potential of individual learners. Thus
school curriculum should be more balanced, taking into account not only the
cognitive-intellectual dimension of personality but its spiritual, moral, social skills
and values aspects. Secondly the pillars of learning stresses an important
educational goal in contributing to social cohesion, inter-cultural and inter-national
understanding, peaceful interchange, and, indeed, harmony. These are the very
things that are most lacking in our world today (Delors). This goal therefore implies
a radically new curriculum domain, in which relevant knowledge and a range of
skills and values should be taught and caught to resolve and manage conflicts for
peace in family, at school, in community and in the world at large. Thirdly, the
pillars of learning imply an educational goal in developing a learning society in a
new century. The concept of learning throughout life emerges as one of the keys to
the twenty-first century and the only way of satisfying it is for each individual to
learn how to learn. The shift from 'schooling' to learning throughout life implies that
school education is only part or a phase of the learning continuum and curriculum
should therefore not attempt to teach or cram the young minds with discipline-
based details, apart from the fundamental knowledge, basic skills and universal
values which will prepare the pupils for further learning. Fourthly, the pillars of
learning points to a goal for much closer linkage between education and the world
of work. This not only concerns learning to do but other three pillars of learning as
one central function of education is to prepare young learners to be successful
workers and responsible citizens in their adulthood. School curriculum can no longer
be purely academic and college-bound; it has to impart employable sills, and
positive attitudes toward work, and to develop competency in adapting to change,
which is the only thing which will not change. Pillars of Learning for Reorganizing
Curriculum Content in Terms of Key Competences Curricular changes are meant to
develop a set of key competencies as defined in curriculum objectives and
standards. Over the years there have been debates at national and international
level over a range of issues concerning the redefinition of desirable competency in
planned curriculum change, and the identification/selection of key competencies
required of all learners. The four pillars of learning are much relevant to curriculum
change as they embody a set of new key competencies to be inculcated among all
learners in an emerging knowledge-based society. Defining Competence In an
educational context, a competence could be defined as the ability to meet complex
demands successfully or to carry out an activity or task (Rychen and Tiana). This
demand-oriented or functional definition is supplemented by an understanding of
competencies as internal mental structures of abilities, capacities and dispositions
embedded in the individual (Figure 1). It is important to note that the term
competence represents a holistic concept, which is defined differently from that of
skill, which is used to designate an ability to perform complex motor and/or
cognitive acts with ease and precisions. The term competence denotes a complex
action system encompassing cognitive skills, attitudes and other non-cognitive
components. From this perspective, each of the four pillars of learning provides a
range of generic competencies to be developed through curriculum and instruction.
Identifying and Selecting Key Competences More challenging than defining
competence is the identification and selection of key/core competencies. There
have been multiple, diversified perspectives from different academic disciplines.
Figure 1 The demand defines the internal structure of a competence Internal
structure of a competence related to cooperation: ? ? Knowledge ? ? Cognitive
skills ? ? Attitudes ? ? Emotions ? ? Values and ethics ? ? Motivation ? CONTEXT
Demand-oriented competence Example: Ability to cooperate [Source: Definition and
Selection Competencies: Theoretical and Conceptual Foundations (DeSeCo)] For
example, from socio-psychological viewpoints, humans are defined as adaptive,
social beings, and individuals are looked at in a cultural, social and linguistic
context. Key competence therefore implies effective interaction in relation to the
physical, social and cultural world. Philosophers might address key competencies
from a reflective perspective and define them at an abstract level that are generally
independent of culture, context and personal characteristics. From a sociologist
perspective, core competencies imply empowerment of individuals and groups to
preserve their autonomy and exercise their rights without infringing on that of
others, and to cope in and across various social fields. Economic theories could also
be used to interpret key competencies that workers needs to increase productivity
and succeed in the labor market, with success defined in the maximization of !
income and return to education in financial terms, and an emphasis on
knowledge/skills resulting in increased competitiveness in the market. Multiple
perspectives from various academic disciplines have moved towards
interdisciplinary insight and common understanding of key competencies. Key
competences is thus used to designate generic competencies that enable
individuals to participate effectively in multiple contexts or social fields and that
contribute to and overall successful life for individuals and to a well-functioning
society. They are defined as being necessary for everyone. One approach to the
reorganization of curriculum content is to identify or select fewer but broader,
coherent and sound set of key competencies and integrate them across learning
domains, instead of developing long list of competencies to be covered in all subject
domains. In school settings, key competencies could be categorized in two main
groups (Tiana, 2004): a) curriculum-bounded competencies, such as ability to
communicate with others, basic science/math skills, computer literacy and media
competence, and capacity of situating in the world of individual; and b) cross-
curricular competencies, which include metacognitive competencies, intra-personal
competencies, interpersonal competencies, and positional competencies (coping
with complexity and dealing with diversity/change). From this point of view, the four
pillars of learning offer a broad framework of cross-curricular competencies which
should be require of all learners to acquire, including, but are not confined to, the
following: 1 competence in collecting, selecting, processing and managing
information 2 competence in mastering instruments of knowing and understanding
3 competence in effectively communicating with others 4 competence in adapting
oneself to changes in life 5 competence in cooperatively working in teams 6
competence in resolving conflict through peaceful dialogue and negotiation. Pillars
of Learning for Repackaging Learning Modules in Integrated Approach The four
pillars of learning are not only conceptual as some have assumed; they are neither
merely principles in guiding curricular changes. In effecting actual curriculum
change or promoting experimentation, the four pillars of learning could be used as
both cross-cutting themes and essential learning outcomes in repackaging
curriculum modules or learning units or rebuilding curriculum blocks The Training
Seminar on Capacity Building for Curriculum Specialists in East and South-East Asia
(IBE-PROAP, 2000) proposed a conceptual framework for renewing curriculum in
light of the four pillars of learning (Figure 2). Curriculum objectives incorporates the
principle of learning throughout life. Subject matter content is no longer organized
on basis of individual disciplines but more in an interdisciplinary or integrated
approach. Learning outcomes are not expressed merely in test scores but in terms
of knowledge, skills, values, or competencies as embedded in the pillars of learning.
Both the Chinese case study (Zhu, M.J.) on integrating learning to live together
across secondary school curriculum areas and the case study on Mongolian
experience in curriculum reform (Luvsandorj, 2005), both included in this Resource
Pack, attest to the fact that it is highly feasible to apply the pillars of learning in
repackaging educational content in all school subjects and/or through curriculum
modules or learning units and thereby actually implementing curriculum change. It
seems that there could be two approaches to the application of the four pillars of
learning to the repackaging of learning content in terms of generic competencies to
be inculcated among all learners: One is to design curriculum content of individual
school subject and related learning units in terms Figure 2. A Conceptual Framework
of Renewing Curriculum in Light of the Pillars of Learning A Proposed Framework for
Renewing Curriculum in Light of Pillars of Learning (IBE-PROAP Seminar) Subject
Matter Content (to reflect interdisciplinarity / interconnectedness) Rationale Goals /
Objectives Philosophy (To incorporate the principle of education throughout life)
Learning Outcomes (to include the four pillars of learning) Teaching Approache s (To
highlight holistic / interdisciplin ary approaches) [Source: IBE-PROAP Regional
Training Seminar on Basic Education Curriculum Reform in the 21st Century,
Bangkok, Thailand, 12-16 December 2000] of fundamental knowledge, basic skills
and universally shared values which are pertinent to the key competences as
implied in the four pillars of learning. This approach is undertaken in the Chinese
case, in which learning to live together breaks down to set of knowledge, skills and
values, and then integrated/included in such individual school subjects as history,
geography, foreign language, literature, environmental studies, and moral
education. The other is to redesign learning modules or units, or curriculum blocks,
which teachers and learners could use in light of the nationally set curriculum
standards. For example, in facilitating learning to learn, modules or units or even a
course could be designed to develop connections between disciplines and enable
students to see knowledge as an inter-related coherent whole, as implied in the
interpenetration of the four pillars of learning. This might be illustrated by the
course on Research-Based (or Exploratory) Learning, offered in reformed Chinese
school curriculum, and in the IBO MYP course, Approaches to Learning. Central to
both the curricular innovations is learning how to learn, and developing in
individual learners an awareness of how they learn best, of thought processes and
of learning strategies (Perkins, 1992). This area of interaction goes beyond
traditional study skills and include s! uch competencies inherent in the four pillars of
learning: collaboration skills; attitudes toward work; communication; reflection;
problem solving and thinking skills; and subject-specific and interdisciplinary
conceptual understanding. Learning content and method reorganized in such
integrated approach help students develop the range of their capacities (Gardner,
1999), positive attitudes and effective habits of mind and should lie at the core of all
curriculum development and delivery. Conclusion The four pillars of learning provide
an excellent basis for curriculum change in basic education in nationally and
regionally-specific contexts. If applied and adapted appropriately within the
contextual settings, these pillars will add great value to the relevance of curriculum
content and the effectiveness of curriculum implementation. The four pillars of
learning could be perceived and applied as fundamental principles in reorienting the
setting of curriculum objectives. The four pillars of learning embody a range of new
key competences which should be required of all learners to be developed through
the reorganized curriculum content. As cross-cutting themes, binding threads, and
essential elements in integrated curriculum, the four pillars of learning could be
used in actual curriculum repackaging through development of relevant curriculum
modules across learning domains. However, the four pillars of learning remain
largely a conceptual framework and points of reference in experimentation with
curriculum change. It will much depend on concerted efforts by educational policy-
makers, curriculum specialist, teachers and other stakeholders of education to
translate the pillars of learning into renewed curriculum objectives content and
delivery method in contributing to the achievement of educational goals through
meaningful curriculum changes. References Delors, Jacques et al. 1996. Learning:
The Treasure Within. Paris: UNESCO UNESCO. 2004. EFA Global Monitoring Report.
Paris: UNESCO Fraure, Edgar et al. 1972. Learning To Be: The World of Education
Today and Tomorrow. Paris: UNESCO Gardner, H. 1999. Intelligence Reframed:
Multiple Intelligences for the 21st Century. Basic Books. IBE (International Bureau for
Education) and UNESCO Bangkok. 2001. Capacity Building for Curriculum Specialists
in