21st Century Skills and Global Awareness

Partnership for 21st Century Skills

National School Boards Association

Orlando, Florida

March 30, 2008

21st Century Skills and Global Awareness

Karen Cator, Apple Inc.

Vivien Stewart, Asia Society

Jen Flynn, EF Education

Are our students ready for the new global economy?

P21 Members

The Partnership is a catalyst todefine and promote a powerfulvision for:

• 21st Century Citizens• 21st Century Workers • 21st Century Education

Who is the Partnership?

21st Century Skills Framework

21st Century Skills Framework

Core Subjects- Economics - English- Government - Arts - History- Geography- Reading or Language- Arts- Mathematics- Science- World Languages- Civics

21st Century Themes- Global Awareness- Financial, Economic, Business & Entrepreneurship Literacy- Civic Literacy- Health Literacy

Learning & Innovation Skills

• Critical Thinking & Problem Solving• Creativity & Innovation• Communication & Collaboration

21st Century Skills Framework

21st Century Skills Framework

Information, Media & Technology Skills

• Information Literacy• Media Literacy• ICT (Information, Communications & • Technology) Literacy

21st Century Skills Framework

Life & Career Skills

• Flexibility & Adaptability• Initiative & Self-Direction• Social & Cross-Cultural Skills• Productivity & Accountability• Leadership & Responsibility

What is Global Competence?

• Knowledge of other world regions, cultures, and global/international issues

• Skills in communicating in languages other than English, working in global or cross-cultural environments, and using information from different sources around the world

• Values of respect and concern for other cultures and peoples

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Globalization is driving demand for an internationally competent workforce

• China, India and Japan expected to be 50% of world GDP within 30 years – up from 18% in 2004.

• One in five jobs is tied to international trade• Most future business growth will be in overseas

markets

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Global Competence a Core Competence because:

Global Competence a Core Competence because:

Access to good jobs now requires new skills

• Future careers in business, government, science, health care, law enforcement—all require greater international knowledge and skills

• Minorities underrepresented in international careers—need to be exposed to international content before college

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• “The World is Flat” Tom Friedman.

• Wiring of world from 1998 on means that much work can be done anywhere. 24/7 global production teams.

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Global Competence a Core Competence because:

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Global Competence a Core Competence because:

If we shrank the earth’s population to only 100 people and kept existing human ratios:

From 1990 on: 3 billion people in China, India and the former Soviet Union, move from closed economies into the global economy.

• 61 from Asia• 13 from Africa• 12 from Europe• 5 from United States• 1 from Australia• 22 who speak Chinese • 9 who speak English• 8 who speak Hindi

Increasing diversity in our schools and workplaces

• Increased populations from different parts of the world require a citizenry with increased understanding of other cultures

• Hispanic population has grown 34% since 1995; projected to grow 73% in the next 20 years

• Asian and Pacific Islander population has grown 41%; projected to grow 86%

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Global Competence a Core Competence because:

New national and human security challenges

• Terrorism, AIDS, Avian Flu, Environmental concerns all underscore need for global knowledge

• US State and Defense Departments have issued strong calls for greater proficiency in critical languages (Arabic, Korean, Farsi etc)

Global Competence a Core Competence because:

What skills are in demand for our economy?

• Trade literate (21st century economics)• Sensitive to foreign cultures ( cultural awareness,

adaptability, and diplomacy)• Conversant in different languages• Technology savvy• Capable of managing complexity (being creative;

knowing how to learn)• Ethical

According to Michael Eskew, CEO of UPS:

What other businesses are saying:

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• Chris Anderson, President of the Massachusetts High Technology Council• Joan Wood, Senior Vice President of Global Workforce Development for Genzyme Corporation• Roger T. Servison, president of Fidelity Strategic New Business Development

“Are They Really Ready to Work?” survey

Deficient in:

• critical-thinking and problem solving• collaborative communications skills• people skills• contextual learning skills• personal responsibility• ethics

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- The Conference Board, Corporate Voices for Working Families, Partnership for 21st Century Skills, The

Society for Human Resource Management

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How do you bring the world into your classroom?

Walter Payton School

• Asia Society video footage of Walter Payton School

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Integrate international content in all curriculum areas

• English Language Arts: Add international texts• Science & Math: Apply scientific study to real world

problems• Social Studies: Connect the local to the global and

the past to the present. Make it come alive through simulation exercises.

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Integrate international content in all curriculum areas (cont.)

• Visual & Performing Arts: Examine similarities and differences in cultures

• Physical Education: Integrate international dances, sports and eastern martial arts

• Interdisciplinary and capstone projects: In-depth study of a world region or issue

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Emphasize Effective Language Learning

• Make time – Start in elementary school and have instruction daily

• Ensure that students are engaged – focus on communication

• Create opportunities for cultural interaction – in the community, online or through study abroad

• Develop content-based learning – deliver lessons in other subjects in a second language

• Example: Glastonbury, CT, instituted a K-8 language requirement – 93% of students study at least one language; high school continues sequence

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Use technology to access broader knowledge and connect schools around the world

• Tap global information sources – universities, news organizations (eg. Channel 13), companies and think tank websites

• Online courses can offer students international content they don’t usually have access to – Michigan Virtual High School Chinese

• Create classroom-to-classroom collaborations through iEARN or videoconferencing

• Publish student projects on the web - Adobe

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Partner with local businesses,museums, communities with international links

• Universities and colleges offer international specialists, and courses for teachers

• Businesses offer student internships, donations, executive for a day

• Cultural groups from local heritage organizations to museums to World Affairs Councils to embassies, offer activities, and materials

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Provide Teacher Opportunities

• Universities offer professional development in world regions and global issues

• Travel programs can broaden and enrich teachers’ worldview and perspectives

• School visits allow teachers to see how other schools are internationalizing

• Professional conferences

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Firsthand experiences

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Tucson Unified School District

• Used one or more of their lessons in classroom: 92%

• Shared with a peer who used lesson: 85%

• Felt the experience impacted their pedagogy: 90%

• Learned content knowledge hadn’t previously known: 84%

• Increased curiosity about world: 97%

• Acquired source material for classroom use: 77%

• More interdisciplinary in teaching: 93%

• Increased global awareness skills: 96%

• Felt they could relate better to their students: 76% 30

National Study of School Evaluation Survey

• 94% said their international experience increased their enthusiasm for learning

• 96% said it increased their tolerance for others

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25,000 students surveyed:

Firsthand experiences

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Rethink.Global Awareness

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Rethink.Global Awareness

Apple Learning Interchange

• Multidisciplinary units

• An annotated collection of on-line project spaces and resources

• Authentic project-based lessons and activities

• Community of peers to engage with

• Tips and strategies for students who travel

• Virtual experiences for students who may never travel

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Impact of Media Literacy

Multimedia projects were shown to:

• Motivate students to participate

• Integrate multiple skills

• Create practical reasons for reading, writing, and revising communication

• Require students to analyze resources

• Require higher order thinking and problem-solving skills

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– EDUCAUSE

Resources for Schools

Upcoming Publication:

• Handbook - “Going Global: Preparing Your Students for an Interconnected World” (July 2008)

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How do I learn more about 21st century skills?

21st Century Skills Framework

www.21stcenturyskills.org/route21

177 North Church Avenue

Suite 305Tucson, AZ 85701(520) 623-2466

Contact Us

www.21stcenturyskills.org

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Q & A

Resources

• Apple Learning Interchange• ali.apple.com

• Asia Society• askasia.org• internationaled.org

• International Education and Resource Network

• iearn.org

• EF Education• eftours.com

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Conclusion

Are our students critical thinkers and problem solvers?

Are our students globally aware?

Are our students self-directed?

Are our students good collaborators?

Are our students information and technology literate?

Are our students flexible and adaptable?

Are our students innovative?

Are our students effective communicators?

Conclusion