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What are 21st century skills? ➢    21st Century Skills are the set of skills students need to succeed in learning, work and life in this century. ➢    To ensure success, students need both deep understanding of the major principles and facts in core subjects (such as math, language, arts, science, history, etc.) and also be able to apply this knowledge to important contemporary themes (such as global awareness, financial, health and environmental literacy, etc.) using a variety of skills, such as: Learning and Innovation Skills (critical thinking and problem solving, creativity and innovation) Digital Literacy Skills (information, media and technology literacy); and Life and Career Skills (initiative and self-direction, leadership, adaptability, etc).

 These skills are vital for everyone’s success in our times, and global competition, increased access to technology, digital information and tools are only increasing the importance of these 21st century knowledge-and-skills.

 The skills are not new (with the exception of some of the Digital Literacy skills), but for centuries have been offered to only the privileged and gifted students. Yet all students need these skills to succeed.

Of course, teachers need to establish “norms” to ensure devices are an asset and not a distraction. I have one expectation for students. When we are not using their devices, they need to be volume off and screen down on the corner of their desks. This way they are in full view and treated as a learning tool. When I say “screens up,” they know they are welcome to use their devices.