If you felt that LMCK 2922 was a Stranger Things-esque code name for an underground laboratory experiment carried out by the CIA (just like I did), you thought wrong.
With Arisya and Husna to guide us through the 4Cs of 21st century skills, they also served as our esteemed interpreters of the various unfamiliar acronyms (such as HALT and DOPE) while unpacking the concept of the 4Cs. It was a metaphysical dive into the upgraded learning experience as a 21st century citizen.
First comes technical knowledge, applicable skills, proper conduct and attitude, and value which is preferably intrinsic and definitely personal. After establishing these factors which contribute to career-focused competence, the 4Cs then come into play:
Communication, Collaboration, Critical thinking and Creativity.
Each of our two experts of the episode had share two of the Cs during the hour long informative session but where one finds the most relevant to the Malaysian context would be dissecting the critical elements needed to build the 4Cs framework with respect to the Southeast Asian and Malaysian education system.
Communication
Additional communication barriers were introduced especially during Zoom University (or school) during the pandemic. This challenge highlights the importance of the ability to communicate well for students, teachers and even employees and their employers.
The format of communication is obviously evolving rapidly. The pace of our ability to adapt is also put to the test.
This is also where EQ comes into play: knowing how to present your thoughts in the appropriate tone, navigating the fine nuances between being aggressive and helpfully critically when some form of confrontation is unavoidable, etc. The list of such tricky to handle situations are non exhaustive, and we tend to not pride ourselves with the ability to resolve these issues as Malaysians remain noticeably shy or conservative.
Collaboration
During “Collaboration”, the DOPE personality profile was explored. Many personality profiles exist today, the most trendy being the Myer-Briggs profiling. The dove, owl, peacock and eagle are the representatives of the 4 main characteristics of team players.
While we don’t need to necessarily bind ourselves to one specific “bird”, it is helpful to know where we stand and the essential role we play in teams.
Critical thinking
Among the three main factors that lead to critical thinking, the one that attracted the most attention was the freedom from restrictions, otherwise known as the liberation of shackles that tie us down. As victims of the environment that we were brought up in, we witness how the local education system can limit our thought process.
Despite the introduction of HOTS questions (Higher Order Thinking Skills questions), the rigidity of the marking schemes still meant that Malaysian students are slaves to memorisation and the “model” answer, an issue which has been highly criticised and debated. The urgency to move from LOTS to HOTS will eventually shape the critical thinking abilities of our next generations to come.
Creativity
Lastly, creative thinking. Anja Juliah Abu Bakar, the founder of Athena Empowers, served as a local case study that tied up how creativity interacted with the rest of the 3Cs. Anja’s initially concerns about menstrual hygiene and menstrual poverty (Yes! It’s a thing!) motivated her to start on her awareness and outreach campaign.
When the Mothers of the Orang Asal community whom she helped asked if they could do anything to give back, Anja proceeded to collaborate with them: offering them a source of income by hiring them to make the reusable cloth pads for Athena Empowers. Subsqeuently, their range has extended to colourful pads focusing on different needs based on each female’s flow and stage of the menstrual cycle as well as washable face masks.
Creative thinking perforates our daily lifes. They enable creative solutions to existing ideas.
Social entrepreneurs, intrapreneurs, aspiring leaders, change makers, or simply anyone who wants to craft a better version of themselves will find meaning in consulting the 4Cs.
Notes from behind the scenes:
The episode was done in collaboration with two university students who had first approached the TheSambalPod team with the idea of guesting the show whilst completing their module coursework. Needless to say, we were (and still are) excited about the evident reach of the podcast. The team has been growing and alas, we would like to say cheers to everyone who has contributed to TheSambalPod’s growth and the 10th episode milestone.
Hearing back from Arisya and Husna as well as their experience is what motivates the brains behind TSP as well as the founder, producer and host, AG.
roti 