IDC ICT Resources

Creativity and innovation; Critical thinking and problem solving; Communication; Collaboration; Information literacy; Media literacy; Information and Communication Technologies literacy (ICT literacy); Flexibility and adaptability; Initiative and self direction; Social and cross-cultural skills; Productivity and accountability; and Leadership and responsibility.

Tony Wagner, Harvard Graduate School of Education, labels these "survival skills" as (1) critical thinking and problem solving; (2) collaboration and leadership; (3) agility and adaptability; (4) initiative and entrepreneurialism; (5) effective oral and written communication; (6) accessing and analyzing information; and (7) curiosity and imagination. Wagner proposes that schools use academic content to teach these skills at every grade level, and be accountable for a new standard of rigor.

Central to the report's recommendations is a call for schools to focus on six key elements of 21st century learning

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

eve that certain content essential for preparing students to live and work in a 21st century world is missing from many state and local standards. (See list.) New Assessments that Measure 21st Century Skills: "As pervasive as assessment seems to be today," the report says, "it remains an emerging and challenging field that demands further study and innovation." Recommendations include moving beyond standardized testing as the sole measure of student learning; balancing traditional tests with classroom assessments to measure the full range of students' skills; and using technology-based assessments to deliver immediate feedback.

Schools must expose young people to the critical thinking skills that will allow them to be successful members of the 21st-century workforce.

Advocacy

According to the P21 Framework Definitions Document from May 2009, students should master the four following interconnected knowledge, skills and expertise in order to "succeed in work and life in the 21st century:"Core Subjects and 21st Century Themes: English, reading, foreign language, math, economics, science, geography, history and government AND global awareness, civic literacy, health literacy, and financial, economic, business and entrepreneurial literacy.Learning and Innovation Skills: Creativity and innovation, critical thinking and problem solving, and communication and collaboration.Information, Media and Technology Skills: Information literacy, media literacy, and information, communications and technology literacy.Life and Career Skills: Flexibility and adaptability, initiative and self-direction, social and cross-cultural skills, productivity and accountability, and leadership and responsibility.

Ways of thinking. Creativity, critical thinking, problem-solving, decision-making and learning Ways of working. Communication and collaboration Tools for working. Information and communications technology (ICT) and information literacy Skills for living in the world. Citizenship, life and career, and personal and social responsibility

As educators shift from the traditional school methods of the lecturing and note taking, there is a need not to use technology as a means of supplemental education, but truly integrated.

student outcomes (as represented by the arches of the rainbow) and 21st century skills support systems (as represented by the pools at the bottom).