Core Subjects: The authors reaffirm the importance of the core subjects identified by No Child Left Behind but challenge schools and policymakers to expand their focus beyond "basic competency" to understanding the core academic content at much higher levels.
Learning Skills: "To cope with the demands of the 21st century," the report states, "students need to know more than core subjects. They need to know how to use their knowledge and skills-by thinking critically, applying knowledge to new situations, analyzing information, comprehending new ideas, communicating, collaborating, solving problems, and making decisions."
21st Century Tools: Recognizing that "technology is, and will continue to be, a driving force in workplaces, communities, and personal lives in the 21st century," Learning for the 21st Century emphasizes the importance of incorporating information and communication technologies into education from the elementary grades up.
21st Century Context: Experiences that are relevant to students' lives, connected with the world beyond the classroom, and based on authentic projects are central to the sort of education the Partnership for 21st Century Skills defines as the appropriate context for learning in the information age.
21st Century Content: The report's authors beli
#24 Christie Park on 12 Sep 11Although 21st century skills are fixated on technology, I think teachers can begin to incorporate the skills even without a computer in every classroom. Like Tiger said, as websites such as twitter become the dominant source of information it would be more important to learn how to write detailed and informative paragraphs in 140 words rather than writing a 4 page structured essay. And like Ms. Cuttle said, after we graduate we most likely will not have to write an essay ever again. Teachers should start transitioning into teaching 21st century skills by starting with these more basic skills.
