The new building blocks for learning in a complex world

This important resource introduces a framework for 21st Century learning that maps out the skills needed to survive and thrive in a complex and connected world. 21st Century content includes the basic core subjects of reading, writing, and arithmetic-but also emphasizes global awareness, financial/economic literacy, and health issues. The skills fall into three categories: learning and innovations skills; digital literacy skills; and life and career skills. This book is filled with vignettes, international examples, and classroom samples that help illustrate the framework and provide an exciting view of what twenty-first century teaching and learning can achieve.

A vital resource that outlines the skills needed for students to excel in the twenty-first century

Explores the three main categories of 21st Century Skills: learning and innovations skills; digital literacy skills; and life and career skills

Addresses timely issues such as the rapid advance of technology and increased economic competition

Based on a framework developed by the Partnership for 21st Century Skills (P21)

Includes a DVD with video clips of classroom teaching

Table of Contents

Introduction Learning to Innovate, Innovating Learning.
The Four Question Exercise.

Part One What Is 21st Century Learning?

1. Learning Past and Future.
Education's Purpose: Historical Roles and Goals.
Learning a Living: the Future of Work and Careers.
The Perfect Learning Storm: Four Converging Forces.
The Turning of Learning: Toward a New Balance.

2. Learning and Innovation Skills: Learning to Create Together.
Critical Thinking & Problem Solving.
Communication & Collaboration.
Creativity & Innovation.

3. Digital Literacy Skills: Info-savvy, Media-fluent, Tech-tuned.
Information Literacy.
Media Literacy.
ICT Literacy.

4. Career and Life Skills: Work-ready, Prepared for Life
Flexibility & Adaptability.
Initiative & Self-direction.
Social & Cross-cultural Skills.
Productivity & Accountability.
Leadership & Responsibility.

Part Two 21st Century Learning and Teaching.

5. Powerful Learning: Proven Practices, Researched Results.
21st Century Project Learning Bicycle Model.
Creativity through Projects.
Evidence that Project Learning Works.
Challenges to Inquiry and Design Learning.

6. Retooling Schooling: Reshaping the Support Systems
Shifting Systems in Sync: the West Virginia Experience.
Standards.
Assessments.
Curriculum & Instruction.
Professional Development.
Learning Environments.
From Skills to Expertise: Future Learning Frameworks.
Afterword Learning for Life: To Build a Better World.

Appendix A Resources.
DVD Contents.
Partnership for 21st Century Skills Resources.
Other Online Resources.
Appendix B About the Partnership for 21st Century Skills.
Appendix C 3Rs X 7Cs = 21st Century Learning.
Acknowledgments.
References.
Index.
Credits.