THE ROLE OF TEACHER AS A LEARNING FACILITATORS IN 21ST CENTURY EDUCATION

Abstrak

In the rapidly changing 21st-century education landscape, the traditional teacher role has shifted significantly from a primary knowledge provider to that of a learning facilitator. This research explores this critical shift in pedagogical approaches and how educators can support students in their learning through resourcing, monitoring, and problem-solving guidance. This research explores how facilitative teaching strategies are enacted in the classroom, with a qualitative study involving 26 students and their English teacher at SMP NEGERI 17 Medan. The findings indicate that though aspects of facilitative teaching by teachers are present, there is still a great degree of teacher-centeredness, leaving little room for student independence and collaborative learning. The study therefore calls for a balanced pedagogical approach that shall blend direct instruction with student-centered strategies, emphasizing the development of 21st-century skills such as critical thinking, creativity, digital literacy, and autonomous learning. The research contributes to understanding the evolving role of teachers in creating dynamic, engaging learning environments that will prepare students for the complexities of modern education through the analysis of classroom interactions and teaching methods.