The document discusses 21st century skills and their importance for students' future success. It defines 21st century skills as including critical thinking, problem solving, collaboration, communication skills and highlights their importance for competing in a global economy. The US is falling behind internationally on measures of literacy and college completion rates. Schools need to change instructional approaches to focus more on 21st century skills like project-based learning, performance assessments, and technology use to better prepare students.

1. 21 st Century Learning Skills- What are they and why are they important? Mansfield High School Spring 2010

2. 21st Century Skills…Essential Questions What are they? Why do we need them? What type of instruction is needed to get to the heart of 21 st century skills? How do you assess how well a student has acquired 21 st century skills?

3. 21st Century Skills for a global economy… Flattening of the world Globalization Competition Shift in work patterns and careers

4. 21st Century Skills for a creative economy… We are moving from the informational to the conceptual age Right brain rising (left brain is not enough anymore) 3 Prevailing Trends: abundance, Asia, and automation The six aptitudes to develop: Design Story Symphony Empathy Play Meaning

5. 21st Century Skills for a competitive economy… There is a gap between what even our best schools teach vs. the skills all students need to be successful The “net” generation is motivated differently Seven Survival Skills for College, Careers & Citizenship Critical Thinking & Problem-Solving Collaboration Agility & Adaptability Initiative & Entrepreneurialism Effective Oral & Written Communication Accessing and Analyzing Information Curiosity and Imagination

6. How do we stack up to the competition? LITERACY PISA Reading Literacy- 15 th out of 29 OECD countries PISA Problem-Solving- 24 th out of 29 PISA Science Literacy- 21 st out of 30 PISA Math Literacy- 25 th out of 30 COLLEGE COMPLETION 1995: U.S. College completion was number 1 in the world 2005: We dropped to 13 th in the world Today 1 out of 2 students who starts college never completes a degree Sources: Program for International Student Assessment, 2006; National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)

7. “ Due to rapidly changing dynamics facing the 21st Century, new skills, regardless of what they are called, will be needed for every man, woman and child to address the economic, social, political and citizenship challenges that await them... Business success will demand a workforce whose skills adapt to the needs of the future.” - SCANS (Secretary’s Commission on Achieving Necessary Skills) Report, 1992

8. Emphasize core subjects* Emphasize learning skills* Use 21st Century tools to develop learning skills (computers, Internet, other technology) Teach and learn in a 21st Century context (relevance to students’ life, authentic learning experiences, bring world into classroom, go out into the world) Teach and learn 21st Century content* Use 21st Century assessment that measures 21st Century skills (classroom assessments and standardized tests) 21st Century Learning: What does it involve? * see Framework, next slide

9. Framework for 21st Century Learning Core Subjects and 21st Century Themes Life and Career Skills Learning and Innovation Skills Information, Media and Technology Skills

10. Core Subjects English Reading/Lang Arts World Languages Arts Mathematics Economics Science Geography History Government Civics 21st Century Themes (21st Century Content) Global Awareness Financial, Economic, Business and Entrepreneurial Literacy Civic Literacy Health Literacy

11. Learning and Innovation Skills Creativity and Innovation Skills Critical Thinking and Problem Solving Skills Communication and Collaboration Skills Information, Media & Technology Skills Information Literacy Media Literacy ICT Literacy (Information, Communications, and Technology)

12. Life and Career Skills Flexibility and Adaptability Initiative and Self Direction Social and Cross-Cultural Skills Productivity and Accountability Leadership and Responsibility

13. New Context Skills Required Global Competition: Global Awareness Self-Direction Global Cooperation: Global Awareness Collaboration Information & Communication Technology (ICT) Literacy Information Growth: Information Literacy Critical Thinking Problem Solving More Jobs & Careers: Critical Thinking & Problem Solving Innovation & Improvement Flexibility & Adaptability Growing Service Economy: Communication Skills Life and Career Awareness Skills

14. What skills are most important for job success when hiring a high school graduate? Why are 21 st century skills so important? Source: Working in the 21 st Century , U.S. Department of Labor Statistics (2003) Work Ethic 80% Collaboration 75% Good Communication 70% Social Responsibility 63% Critical Thinking & Problem Solving 58%

15. Of the high school students that you recently hired, what were their deficiencies? Why are 21 st century skills so important? Source: Working in the 21 st Century , U.S. Department of Labor Statistics (2003) Written Communication 81% Leadership 73% Work Ethic 70% Critical Thinking & Problem Solving 70% Self-Direction 58%

16. So…. how must things change in our schools? In a 20 th Century Classroom… In a 21 st Century Classroom… Rigor is content mastery (measured by quantity of content) Rigor is figuring the right questions/problem to be solved Content is studied by separate disciplines Problems are explored within and across disciplines Learners work alone and in competition Learners work in teams Motivation is mainly by extrinsic rewards (grades) Motivation is more by intrinsic rewards (pride in mastery, contribution, etc.) Taught in isolation by content experts Taught by teamed coaches through exploration/discovery Student learning is assessed through traditional tests and quizzes Performance-based assessments that allow students to demonstrate what they know are used

17. Further Implications for Teaching & Learning More use of project-based learning- framing projects around essential questions Additional opportunities for students to extend their learning beyond the high school campus- e.g., internships, service learning, dual enrollment, online learning, etc. New ways to assess student learning- senior projects, capstone projects, electronic portfolios, etc. Additional usage of technology for students to learn and collaborate- e.g., use of blogs, wikis, etc.

18. Appropriate professional development for all teachers- and the creation of structures so they may effectively collaborate Additional opportunities for all students to make interdisciplinary connections Gather baseline data- survey and interview recent alumni… what works and what doesn’t?? Further Implications for Teaching & Learning (con’t)