Blog Post 4 – 21st Century Skills

I keep running across the phrase 21^st Century Skills. I have even read a few articles about it in one of my other classes. Those articles were more about how we are not teaching these skills or doing so inadequately. Yet it wasn’t till I started researching deeper that I started finding what these skills are. I finally found that they are the cores subjects along with 21^st Century Themes like global awareness, civics and economics. Learning and innovative skills like collaborative work, critical and creative thinking and communication skills. Next is Media Literacy, if you need to see more on this read the last post. Finally there are Life Skills, which are things like social skills, productivity, accountability and leadership (The Partnership for 21st Century Skills, 2007). Here is a mind-map of this idea:

(The Partnership for 21st Century Skills, 2007)

The problem that I am having with this model, and I think others might as well, is that these skills are being taught alongside the core curriculum. I f we are to truly teach 21^st century skills then we need to be teaching them inside the core curriculum. What I mean is that teaching social studies in the traditional manner of textbooks, lectures and notes and then sending the students to a computer class does the student no favors. They would consider technology, creative thinking, innovation and other 21^st Century skills to have no place in the core classes. Therefore in the work world which they would not be likely to use 21^st Century Skills. If these 21^st Century skills are blended into core classes so that the student is using technology, thinking critically and creatively, considering global issues when looking at past events these students are going to be more prepared for the work force upon graduation. In a 2008 resource and policy guide for 21^st Century skills they said, “Advanced economies, innovative industries, and high-growth jobs require more educated workers with the ability to respond flexibly to complex problems, communicate effectively, manage information, work in teams and produce new knowledge” (The Partnership for 21st Century Skills, 2008). You can read the whole report here: http://www.21stcenturyskills.org/documents/21st_century_skills_education_and_competitiveness_guide.pdf

Here is a video that presses this point:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8_ehGLqzBVM

Weymouth High School (2009 January 27) 21^st Century Skills: How Do We Get There? [Video File] posted to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8_ehGLqzBVM

One skill that I think is missing from the list of 21^st Century Skills is creating life long learners. As the technology and economies of the world change so will the knowledge that an effective employee will need to have. In other words the better employees will be the ones that keep educating themselves to be more effective. In looking at ways to do this I found several lists that said things like carry a book with you, meet new friends, teach others and find learning groups. The funny thing to me about these articles and lists is that not one suggested doing these things on line. They all seemed to assume that you could walk out your front door and find these things. With the new Web 2.0 tools and collaborative swing in business and web applications finding like-minded people, teaching and learning in groups is as easy as a few keystrokes. Check out this site to see how easy teaching and learning in groups in the new Web 2.0 can be http://www.wiziq.com/

The other thing that I wanted to know is what are the traits of a lifelong learner. The Plano School District lists these traits: Self directed learner, effective communicator, complex thinker, quality producer, responsible citizens and collaborative contributors (Plano Independent School District, 2004). These traits sound just like the 21^st Century Skills. This shows me that by teaching 21^st Century Skills not only are we making students ready for the workplace we are also making them lifelong learners. Here is a little video that talks about life long learning. He is emphasizing sales communication here, but it is still business communication.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zh6yd6wfCgU

Gitomer, J (2008 April 19) Life Long Learning [Video File] Posted to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zh6yd6wfCgU

References

Plano Independent School District. (2004). Life long learner traits. Retrieved August 9, 2009, from Plano Independent School District Web Site: http://www.pisd.edu/about.us/mission.goals/learner.traits.shtml

The Partnership for 21st Century Skills (2008). 21st century skills education and competitiveness. A resource and policy guide (--). Retrieved August 9, 2009 from http://www.21stcenturyskills.org/documents/21st_century_skills_education_and_competitiveness_guide.pdf

The Partnership for 21st Century Skills. (2007). Route 21. Retrieved August 9, 2009, from The Partnership for 21st Century Skills Web Site: http://www.21stcenturyskills.org/route21/