What Exactly ARE 21st Century Skills?

We read about it. We hear about it. The Senate has a bill that supports it. But, what exactly ARE 21^st Century Skills?

Incorporating the following into the curriculum delivers 21^st Century Skills…

· INTEGRATING CORE SUBJECTS & 21st CENTURY THEMES

· LEARNING AND INNOVATION SKILLS

· CRITICAL THINKING AND PROBLEM SOLVING

· COMMUNICATION AND COLLABORATION

· INFORMATION, MEDIA AND TECHNOLOGY SKILLS

· INFORMATION LITERACY

· MEDIA LITERACY

· ICT (Information, Communications and Technology) LITERACY

· LIFE AND CAREER SKILLS

· FLEXIBILITY AND ADAPTABILITY

· INITIATIVE AND SELF-DIRECTION

· SOCIAL AND CROSS-CULTURAL SKILLS

· PRODUCTIVITY AND ACCOUNTABILITY

· LEADERSHIP AND RESPONSIBILITY

To find a full explanation of this framework, take a look at this student outcomes white paper online. Visual Learner? Watch this short video which gives a great, generic overview of the Partnership for 21^st Century Skills and how/where to find additional information on their site.

It is great to know our government is on board with education reform and looking ahead to provide adequate support to our classrooms. As quoted in eSchoolNews.com, Shelley Pasnik, director of the Education Development Center's Center for Children and Technology states "The purpose of the 21st Skills Incentive Funds Act is to offer competitive grants from the Department of Education for states willing to invest in education reform. She sums up the senate’s support well. Be sure to take a look at the actual bill as posted by the Library of Congress.

Want more in-depth information? Check out this .pdf from the Partnership for 21^st Century Skills.