Wednesday, April 28, 2010

21st Century Themes and Skills

The Partnership for 21st Century Skills is a national organization that advocates for 21st century readiness for every student. As the United States continues to compete in a global economy that demands innovation, P21 and its members provide tools and resources to help the U.S. education system keep up by fusing the three Rs (reading, writing, and arithmetic) and four Cs (critical thinking and problem solving, communication, collaboration, and creativity and innovation). Several leading districts and schools across the country are already implementing these skills. P21 is currently advocating for local, state and federal policies that support this approach for every school. It presents a holistic view of 21st century teaching and learning that combines a discrete focus on 21st century student outcomes (a blending of specific skills, content knowledge, expertise and literacy) with innovative support systems to help students master the multi-dimensional abilities required of them in the 21st century.
To help teachers, administrators, policymakers, and parents integrate skills into the teaching of core academic subjects, the Partnership has developed a unified, collective vision for learning known as the Framework for 21st Century Learning. This Framework clarifies the skills, knowledge and expertise students must master to succeed in work and life in now and in the future. Every 21st century skill implementation requires the development of core academic subject knowledge and understanding among all students. Those who can think critically and communicate effectively must build on a base of core academic subject knowledge. Within the context of core knowledge instruction, students must also learn the essential skills for success in today’s world, such as critical thinking, problem solving, communication and collaboration. When a school or district builds on this foundation, combining the entire framework with the necessary support systems: standards, assessments, curriculum and instruction, professional development and learning environments, students are more engaged in the learning process and graduate better prepared to thrive in today’s global economy. Mastery of core subjects and 21st century themes are essential to every student’s success. P21 understands that students must grasp the core subjects which include English, reading/ language arts, world languages, arts, mathematics, economics, science, geography, history, government and civics. In addition to these core subjects, schools must promote an understanding of academic content at much higher levels by weaving 21st century interdisciplinary themes: Global Awareness, Financial, Economic, Business and Entrepreneurial Literacy, Civic Literacy, Health Literacy, Environmental Literacy, Learning and Innovation Skills.
From what I have read, I believe incorporating 21st century skills into daily instruction will prepare our students for the challenges of the future. For starters, learning and innovation skills are what separate students who are prepared for increasingly complex life and work environments in today’s world and those who are not. Students must be able to combine creativity and innovation, critical thinking and problem solving, and communication and collaboration in life and work place to be successful. Not to mention, n today we live in a technology and media-driven environment, marked by access to an abundance of information, rapid changes in technology tools, and the ability to collaborate and make individual contributions on an unprecedented scale. Teachers have to prepare our students to be able to exhibit a range of functional and critical thinking skills involving information literacy, media literacy, and Information, communications and technology literacy. 2In addition, students will have to navigate complex life and work environments in the globally competitive information age paying rigorous attention to developing adequate life and career skills involving flexibility and adaptability, initiative and self-direction, social and cross-cultural skills, productivity and accountability, and leadership and responsibility.
According to the 21st Century Workforce Commission National Alliance of Business, “The current and future health of America’s 21st Century Economy depends directly on how broadly and deeply Americans reach a new level of literacy—‘21st Century Literacy’—that includes strong academic skills, thinking, reasoning, teamwork skills, and proficiency in using technology.” 21st century standards are also important in supporting the 21st century movement. First, they have to build understanding across and among core subjects as well as 21st century interdisciplinary themes. Plus, emphasizes deep understanding rather than shallow knowledge. Engages students with the real world data, tools, and experts they will encounter in college, on the job, and in life. Research shows that students learn best when actively engaged in solving meaningful problems. Lastly, the standards should allow for multiple measures of mastery. In order to thrive in a digital economy, students will need digital age proficiencies. It is important for the educational system to make parallel changes in order to fulfill its mission in society, namely the preparation of students for the world beyond the classroom. Therefore, educational systems across the country must understand and embrace 21st century skills and themes within the context of their rigorous academic standards.

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