Three years of data from assessments administered to elementary and middle school students by Learning.com show that while students are comfortable using technology, they lack many other important 21st century skills. The assessments measured skills in six areas and found students were strongest in digital citizenship and technology operations, but weaker in critical thinking, problem solving, and research/information fluency. The document provides strategies for teachers to incorporate 21st century skills like collaboration, creativity, and digital literacy into everyday classroom instruction.

1. LEARN MORE: LEARNING.COM/21CS
*
The College Board’s 2013 SAT®
Report on College & Career Readiness
http://media.collegeboard.com/homeOrg/content/pdf/sat-report-college-career-readiness-2013.pdf
Learning.com provides digital curriculum and assessments
to help students develop 21st century skills.
Presented by:
Bridging the Gap
The following teaching strategies can help incorporate 21st century skills into
everyday instruction:
x+y=?
IMPLEMENT
PROJECT-BASED
LEARNING
UTILIZE DIGITAL
TOOLS FOR
RESEARCH AND
COMMUNICATION
ENCOURAGE
COLLABORATION
AMONG
STUDENTS
PROMOTE
SAFE ONLINE
BEHAVIOR
FOSTER
CREATIVITY
IN THE
CLASSROOM
INTEGRATE
TECHNOLOGY
INTO CORE
INSTRUCTION
AREAS OF WEAKNESS
Research and Information Fluency
Critical Thinking and Problem Solving
AREAS OF STRENGTH
Digital Citizenship
Technology Operations & Concepts
OVERALL RESULTS
NUMBER OF ASSESSMENTS
EXHIBIT A POSITIVE
ATTITUDE TOWARD
USING TECHNOLOGY THAT
SUPPORTS LEARNING
EXHIBIT LEADERSHIP
FOR DIGITAL CITIZENSHIP
PRACTICE SAFE, LEGAL,
AND RESPONSIBLE
USE OF INFORMATION
AND TECHNOLOGY
DEMONSTRATE
PERSONAL
RESPONSIBILITY FOR
LIFELONG LEARNING
101,797 433,392
OF STUDENTS SCORED
BASIC OR BELOW
OF STUDENTS SCORED
BASIC OR BELOW
ELEMENTARY
SCHOOL STUDENTS
CAN PROCESS DATA
AND REPORT RESULTS
ARE ABLE TO PLAN
STRATEGIES TO
GUIDE INQUIRY
CAN COLLECT AND
ANALYZE DATA TO
IDENTIFY SOLUTIONS
AND MAKE INFORMED
DECISIONS
ARE ABLE TO
PROCESS DATA
AND REPORT RESULTS
MIDDLE
SCHOOL STUDENTS
AVERAGE SCORE:
PROFICIENT LEVEL
AVERAGE SCORE:
BASIC LEVEL
500
400
300
200
100
Advanced
Proficient
Basic
Below Basic
ASSESSMENT
SCORE RANGES
Three years of data from Learning.com’s 21st
Century Skills Assessment*
administered to
elementary and middle school students shows
that though today’s students are comfortable
using technology, they lack many other crucial
21st century skills.
*
Learning.com’s 21st Century Skills Assessment is aligned to all six strands and
24 standards of the ISTE Standards for Students.
Identifying Skill Strengths
Technology Operations and Concepts
understand how to use
technology systems safely,
effectively, and productively
Critical Thinking and Problem Solving
plan and conduct research; solve
problems; make informed decisions
Communication and Collaboration
listen effectively; articulate thoughts
and ideas; work with others
Creativity and Innovation
brainstorm; develop new ideas;
demonstrate creative thinking
Research and Information Fluency
gather, evaluate, and use
information; select the right
information for the task
Digital Citizenship
practice safe and ethical online
behavior; understand cultural and
societal issues related to technology
x+y=?
Defining 21st Century Skills
The following skills are necessary for students to be able to learn effectively
and live productively in our increasingly digital world:
includes specific Technology
Application standards to ensure that
students can communicate, research,
and solve problems using technology.
focus on teaching students how to
think critically, learn by doing, and
develop the 21st century skills essential
for success in college and career.
PARCC and Smarter
Balanced assessments will be
100% computer-based.
2015 of high school graduates
don't meet the college and
career readiness benchmark.*
57%
&
Texas Essential
Knowledge and Skills
Common Core
State Standards
Today's students need 21st century skills to master standards, demonstrate
their knowledge on assessments, and succeed in college and career.
PREPARING STUDENTS FOR
21ST CENTURY SUCCESS