Building 21 st Century Skills with ICTs What does it mean? GEORGE SCHARFFENBERGER 6 September 2006

Outline The Nature of Work and Citizenship Education Models – 20 th and 21 st Centuries ICTs and 21 st Century Skills 21 st Century Assessment Conclusion and Recommendations

The Nature of Work is Changing 20 th Century 21 st Century 1 – 2 Jobs10 – 15 Jobs Flexibility And Adaptability Integration of 21 st Century Skills into Subject Matter Mastery Mastery of One Field Subject Matter Mastery Number of Jobs: Job Requirement: Teaching Model: Subject Matter Mastery Integration of 21 st Century Skills into Subject Matter Mastery Assessment Model:

The Nature of Work is Changing In the US, a young person will have an average of 10.2 different jobs during their careers US corporations spend billions annually on “educating” their new employees Globally, the world economy will produce 500 – 650 million formal sector jobs over the next decade for the 1.2 billion young people who will be looking for work

20 th Century Education Model

21 st Century Education Model

- English - Reading or Language Arts - Mathematics - Science - Foreign Languages - Civics 21 st Century Skills Framework - Government - Economics - Arts - History - Geography Core Subjects

21 st Century Skills Framework Critical Thinking & Problem Solving Skills Creativity & Innovation Skills Communication Skills Collaboration Skills Contextual Learning Information and Media Literacy Thinking and Learning Skills

21 st Century Skills Framework ICT Literacy Information and communications technology (ICT) literacy is the ability to use technology but even more it is the ability to integrate the use of ICTs into more effective thinking and learning: Critical Thinking & Problem Solving Creativity & Innovation Communication Collaboration Contextual Learning Information and Media Literacy

21 st Century Skills Framework Personal Skills Ethics Leadership Accountability Adaptability Productivity Personal Responsibility People Skills Self Direction Social Responsibility

21 st Century Skills Framework 21 st Century Content Global Awareness Financial, Economic, Business and Entrepreneurship Literacy Civic Literacy Health & Wellness Awareness

21 st Century Skills Framework The “Design Specs” for 21 st Century Education: Core Subjects Thinking & Learning Skills ICT Literacy Personal Skills 21 st Century Content

ICTs and 21 st Century Skills ICTs have tremendous potential to contribute to the development of 21 st Century Skills. Sadly, the focus is often limited to the development of a limited set of ICT skills National organizations such as FIT-ED, global organizations such as World Links and UNESCO, and multi-national corporations such as Intel have been leaders in using technology to develop a broader range of skills. Increased focus and more rigorous assessment are needed to enhance impact. The challenge in resource-poor environments is to scale up such promising approaches.

21 st Century Assessment Assessment standards and protocols for students, teacher and school performance significantly influence behaviors. Assessment of success in developing 21 st century skills begins with the development of a consensus on what that means in very concrete, behavioral terms Global skill categories need to be refined based on the local economic and social context Assessment practice should mirror the integrative nature of the 21 st Century Skill Framework

Conclusion Every student must be: An analytic thinker A problem solver Innovative and creative An effective communicator An effective collaborator Information and media literate Globally aware Civically engaged Financially and economically literate

Recommendations Collaborate with community organizations, businesses and higher education institutions to establish consensus on the 21st century skills needed in the nation and the community. Create teacher training and teacher professional development strategies for 21 st century skills and provide time for teachers and administrators to collaborate and participate in learning communities. Integrate the measurement of 21 st century skills into the full range of assessments, including high-stakes and classroom assessments.

Recommendations Take ICT-supported project-based learning methodologies to scale. Use projects and student portfolios as methods of teaching and assessing 21st century skills. Provide career awareness and internships that offer opportunities to learn beyond the classroom. Consider identifying a 21st century skills teacher mentor in each district or province. Collaborate with youth development programs on complementary strategies to support 21 st century skills in both traditional school settings and out-of-school programs.

Building 21 st Century Skills: What does it mean? Thank You

Contacts George Scharffenberger World Links ( Partnership for 21 st Century Skills (