“The world is full of willing people, some willing to work, the others willing to let them.”
In previous articles we have reviewed influences on education which may change the way we organize schools and schooling. We will see changes on the way we organize curriculum, instructional grouping and teacher learner relationships. Fundamental to these changes a sense of what skills we are trying to teach and learn. I provide for your consideration a listing of some others’ articulation of the skills students will need to be successful in the 21st century.
EMPLOYMENT SKILLS (The Conference Board of Canada)
Fundamental Skills – You will be better prepared to progress in the world of work when you can:
• Communicate
• Manage information
• Use numbers
• Think and solve problems
Personal Management Skills – You will be able to offer yourself greater possibilities for achievement when you can:
• Demonstrate positive attitudes and behaviours
• Be responsible
• Be adaptable
• Learn continuously
• Work safely
Teamwork Skills – You will be better prepared to add value to the outcomes of a task, project or team when you can:
• Work with others
• Participate in projects and tasks
THE NEW BASICS (Andy Hargreaves, 2009)
Old Basics
• Literacy
• Numeracy
• Obedience
• Punctuality
New Basics
• Multi-literacy
• Creativity
• Communication
• Technology
• Teamwork
• Lifelong learning
• Adaptation and change
• Environmental responsibility
SEVEN SURVIVAL SKILLS (Wagner, 2008)
• Critical thinking and problem solving
• Collaboration across networks and leading by influence
• Agility and adaptability
• Initiative and entrepreneurialism
• Effective oral and written communication
• Accessing and analyzing information
• Curiosity and imagination
21st Century Skills – Partnership for 21st Century Skills
Learning and Innovation
• Creativity and innovation
• Critical thinking and problem solving
• Communication and collaboration
Life and Career
• Flexibility and adaptability
• Initiative and self direction
• Social and cross-cultural skills
• Productivity and accountability
• Leadership and responsibility
Information and Technology
• Information literacy
• Media literacy
• (ICT) information, communication and technology literacy
As we continue the evolution of our profession and our schools it will be important for us as a district to build on our “Dream” and articulate for ourselves what we see as the requisite skills for our immediate future. This clarity in purpose and the skills we wish to develop in all our learners will be important.
“The future is here. It’s just not evenly distributed yet.” ~ William Gibson
