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Instructional Coaches » 21st Century Skills

21st Century Skills

21st Century Skills - the Glossary:
  1. Content Knowledge and 21st Century Themes:

Mastery of fundamental subjects and 21st century themes is essential for students in the 21st century. Disciplines include:

  • English, reading or language arts
  • Mathematics
  • Science
  • World languages
  • Arts
  • Economics
  • Geography
  • History
  • Government and Civics

    In addition to these subjects, we believe schools must move beyond a focus on basic competency to promoting understanding of academic content at much higher levels by weaving 21st century interdisciplinary themes into curriculum:
  1. Learning and Innovation Skills: 

Learning and innovation skills increasingly are being recognized as the skills that separate students who are prepared for increasingly complex life and work environments in the 21st century, and those who are not. Focus on creativity, critical thinking, communication and collaboration is essential to prepare students for the future.

  1. Information, Media and Technology Skills: 
    Today we live in a technology and media-suffused environment with: 1) access to an abundance of information, 2) rapid changes in technology tools, and 3) the ability to collaborate and make individual contributions on an unprecedented scale. To be effective in the 21st century, citizens and workers must be able to create, evaluate, and effectively utilize information, media, and technology.
  2. Life and Career Skills: 

Today's life and work environments require far more than thinking skills and content knowledge. The ability to navigate the complex life and work environments in the globally competitive information age requires students to pay rigorous attention to developing adequate life and career skills including:

  • Flexibility & Adaptability
  • Initiative & Self Direction
  • Social & Cross-Cultural Skills
  • Productivity & Accountability
  • Leadership & Responsibility