Essential 21st Century Skills

21st Century Education• revolves around the notion that schooling as we

have known it for the last 150 years is a 19th century invention that must change to keep pace with the demands of the new economy

• learning must leverage the affordances of new technologies, employ better pedagogies based on recent research on how people learn, and be cognizant of the characteristics of a new breed of learners

Core Subjects• English, reading or language arts• World languages

• Arts

• Mathematics

• Economics• Science• Geography

• History

• Government and Civics

Schools must move to include not only afocus on mastery of core subjects, but also

promote understanding of academiccontent at much higher levels by weaving 21st century interdisciplinary themes

into core subjects.

21st Century Themes

Global Awareness• Using 21st century skills to understand and address

global issues• Learning from and working collaboratively with

individuals representing diverse cultures, religions and lifestyles in a spirit of mutual respect and open dialogue in personal, work and community contexts

• Understanding other nations and cultures, including the use of non-English languages

21st Century Themes

Financial, Economic, Business and Entrepreneurial Literacy

• Knowing how to make appropriate personal economic choices

• Understanding the role of the economy in society

• Using entrepreneurial skills to enhance workplace productivity and career options

21st Century Themes

Civic Literacy• Participating effectively in civic life through knowing how

to stay informed and understanding governmental processes

• Exercising the rights and obligations of citizenship at local, state, national and global levels

• Understanding the local and global implications of civic decisions

21st Century Themes

Health Literacy• Obtaining, interpreting and understanding basic health information

and services and using such information and services in ways that enhance health

• Understanding preventive physical and mental health measures• Using available information to make appropriate health-related

decisions• Establishing and monitoring personal and family health goals• Understanding national and international public health and safety

issues

21st Century ThemesEnvironmental Literacy• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the environment and

the circumstances and conditions affecting it, particularly as relates to air, climate, land, food, energy, water and ecosystems

• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of society’s impact on the natural world (e.g., population growth, population development, resource consumption rate, etc.)

• Investigate and analyze environmental issues, and make accurate

conclusions about effective solutions• Take individual and collective action towards addressing

environmental challenges (e.g., participating in global actions, designing solutions that inspire action on environmental issues)

21ST CENTURY SKILLS

Learning and Innovation SkillsCreativity and Innovation

- demonstrating originality and inventiveness in work

- being open and responsive to new and diverse perspectives

Learning and Innovation Skills

Critical Thinking and

Problem Solving

- exercising sound reasoning in understanding

- framing, analyzing, and synthesizing information in order to solve problems and answer questions

Learning and Innovation Skills

Communication and Collaboration

- articulating thoughts and ideas clearly and effectively through speaking and writing

- demonstrating ability to work effectively with diverse teams

Information, Media and Technology Skills

Information Literacy

- accessing info efficiently and effectively, evaluating info critically and competently and using info accurately and creatively for the issue or problem at hand

- possessing a fundamental understanding of the ethical /legal issues surrounding the access and use of information

Information, Media and Technology Skills

Media Literacy

- understanding how media messages are constructed, for what purposes and using which tools, characteristics and conventions

- examining how individuals interpret messages differently, how values and points of view are included or excluded and how media can influence beliefs and behaviors

Information, Media and Technology Skills

ICT Literacy

- using digital technology, communication tools and / or networks appropriately

- possess a fundamental understanding of the ethical / legal issues surrounding the access and use of information

Life and Career Skills

Flexibility and Adaptability

- adapting to varied roles and responsibilities

- working effectively in a climate of ambiguity and changing priorities

Life and Career SkillsInitiative and Self-Direction

- monitoring one’s own understanding and learning needs

- going beyond basic mastery of skills and/or curriculum to explore and expand one’s own learning and opportunities to gain expertise

- utilizing time efficiently and managing workload

- demonstrating commitment to learning as a lifelong process

Life and Career Skills

Social and Cross-Cultural Skills

- working appropriately and productively with others

- bridging cultural differences and using differing perspectives to increase innovation and the quality of work

Life and Career Skills

Productivity and Accountability

- setting and meeting high standards and goals for delivering quality work on time

- demonstrating diligence and a positive work ethic

Life and Career SkillsLeadership and Responsibility

- using interpersonal and problem-solving skills to influence and guide others toward a goal

- leveraging strengths of others to accomplish a common goal

- demonstrating integrity and ethical behavior

- acting responsibly with the interests of the larger community in mind

21st Century Support Systems

• 21st Century Standards

• Assessment of 21st Century Skills

• 21st Century Curriculum and Instruction

• 21st Century Professional Development