The Role of Social Education in Developing 21st Century Competencies: Critical Thinking, Collaboration, and Social Awareness

Abstract

This research aims to analyze the role of social education in developing 21st century skills, particularly critical thinking, collaboration, and social awareness. The research method used is qualitative with a case study approach in secondary school students, through observation, interviews, and analysis of learning documents. The results showed that students experienced an increase in critical thinking skills in analyzing social issues, increased collaboration skills through group work and discussions, and the growth of social awareness reflected in empathy and concern for environmental problems and diversity. However, the effectiveness of learning is influenced by teacher readiness, the availability of contextual learning resources, and the level of active student participation. The discussion confirms that social education functions not only as a means of value transfer, but also as a social laboratory to form an adaptive, critical and caring generation. This research provides important implications for the development of more contextualized and innovative social learning strategies to prepare students to face global and national challenges.