21st Century Skills
Recognition of the importance of 21st Century Skills continues to grow, particularly in the area of competencies across digitally-rich domains involving communications, collaboration, critical thinking, and creativity. Higher education and employers are seeking systematic ways to support and evaluate the acquisition of these skills.
Opportunity Statement
A set of 21st Century Skills venture opportunities exists for formal, informal and at-home education developers to design programs and resources to fulfill this market.
Prediction Source(s)
NMC – 2012 K-12 Horizon Report
Posted in: Emerging Markets Poll
kstackhouse 7:36 am on September 7, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
This is a topic where I think I could have great opportunity in my region. Our province has been pushing the ideals of 21st C but no real guidance on how to get there.
Peggy Lawson 5:41 pm on September 7, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
I’m with you there Ken. Lots of talk about 21st Century learning, but how do we move our students, and our teachers, in that direction. While not my 1st choice (I may not have even had it in my Top 3), this is certainly one that interests me.
tomwhyte1 8:09 pm on September 7, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Of all of the choices given, I found this one the most essential yet, truly not technological. Yes, 21st century does have elements of technology integration, but at its core is the 4 C’s, Creativity, Collaboration, Communication, and Critical Thinking. It is because of those, that I would chose this topic as my number one choice every time. For it is the transferable skills that are important, not a form of technology that may become dated shortly.
Thoughts?
Jonathan 12:27 am on September 8, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Definitely needs some work in defining what it means. It is too vague at this point and allow for many variations, perhaps that is one of the benefits (allowing for multiple approaches). It’s important we give it a strong definition and what it means to deploy it in the field.
tomwhyte1 8:49 am on September 8, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
I am curious as to why this needs a specific/strong definition? The necessary skills are present, Creativity, Communication, Collaboration, Critical Thinking. When one goes further into 21st century, there are other divisions, and groupings to create a basic structure to guide one. However, for myself a specific or strong definition creates limitations on what one thinks can be done, or what should be done. For myself, 21st century and a program known as Destination Imagination go hand-in-hand, which would be severely hampered by what you suggest.
Thoughts?
Jonathan 10:57 am on September 8, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
I’m definitely torn as to whether it needs a stronger definition or not. I should say that, the freedom to go about 4 Core C’s as we see fit is a beautiful part of our profession. It’s always that dilemma between being too specific or too general. Perhaps you are right and that the flexibility is more of what we need.
Thanks for mentioning Destination Imagination. It’s neat to see programs like this.
tomwhyte1 8:03 pm on September 8, 2012 Permalink
I have done a Pilot Project with Pearson on Destination Imagination. I found it very constricting, and anti-intuitive considering the 4 C’s. I guess that is where my concern regarding any form of rigidity comes from.
bryan 10:17 am on September 8, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
This is an area that is of great interest to me, but from a career ed standpoint and the emphasis that the Ministry of Ed in BC is currently putting on it.
Peggy Lawson 6:41 pm on September 8, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
As much as anything, 21st century represents a pedagogical shift, from a lecture-driven, teacher-centered classroom to one in which students realize they are part of an interconnected, global community; where instruction is not limited to a single person hired by the school division to stand in front of the classroom but to nearly endless possibilities that require attendance to emerging and every-changing technologies.
tomwhyte1 8:04 pm on September 8, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
IMHO, such a shift should be encouraged at all times. For is it our job to lecture, or provide our students with the necessary skills they will need for the rest of their lives?
Thoughts?
Lisa Nevoral 7:28 pm on September 10, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
My school district has really been pushing 21st Century Skills and for me this would be a good opportunity to see how I can support and evaluate the acquisition of these skills. This would be my 2nd personal choice.