More technology!

It's easy to look at a term like "21st century skills" and believe it is a fancy way of saying, "Just add computers." While it is true that computers are a facet of 21st century skills, using technology is not the only path to preparing students for their futures.

Consider this: according to a 2016 report by the World Economic Forum, "65% of children entering primary school today will end up working in new job types that don't yet exist" (p. 11). The logical question that follows is "How do we prepare kids for jobs that don't exist?" Researchers have been searching for the answer to this question by conducting studies, interviewing officials from major corporations and government agencies, and examining educational practices. Over the course of time, a common set of transferable skills has been identified and collectively called "21st century skills."

What are 21st century skills?

According to p21.org, "Simply put - it's what students need to succeed in today's globally and digitally interconnected world."

More specifically, 21st century skills refer to the abilities students need beyond content knowledge in order to be competitive in the future. Themes such as health, business, and environmental literacies build a global awareness, while learning, technology, and life skills provide students the means to thrive regardless of the work they do.

Module 1 Intro Video.mp4

P21_framework_0816.pdf