21st Century Competencies

What are 21^st Century Skills and Competencies?

Culture is changing rapidly for a variety of reasons. Technology is improving at lightening speed and humans are responding almost as quickly. What was extraordinary a decade ago is outdated now. 

In the modern workplace, striking a balance between collaboration and independence is an essential skill. Being nimble problem solvers and adapting strategies is highly valued by many employers. To prepare out students for life as responsible citizens of the world, we need to understand what are the foundations for analytical thinking, creative and practical problem solving, interdependent relationships, and effective communication. 

Exploring 21^st Century Skills and Competencies

• 12 Twenty-first Century Skills from Applied Educational Systems 
• What Skills are Today's Employers Seeking? from Rasmussen University 
• Framework for 21^st Century Competencies and Student Outcomes from the Singapore Ministry of Education 
• Life and Career Ready: preparing our students for everything from Maine DOE

Career Exploration in Maine

• The DOE recently partnered with the Maine Department of Labor to launch a new student career discovery dashboard that presents data on in-demand jobs and wages in a manner that is accessible to students in grades 6-12.  Read the media release about this extraordinary effort. 

Blended or Braided Learning Targets

Modern success requires a weaving together of expertise in several skill areas at once. A business owner must be an expert in the nature of the business and competent in marketing, accounting, personnel management, to name a few. Braided learning targets from across disciplines demonstrate the real-world application that we want students to experience. 

For one example of braiding, click here. 

Lesson Planning for the 21st Century 

Creativity, Critical Thinking, Communication, and Collaboration. The 4 Cs. 

Substitute, Augment, Modify, Redefine. The SAMR Scale