21st Century Skills for Today’s Learners: Weighing in on the new skills MAMEConference Ricki Chowning November 12, 2004

Agenda for Today Definition & relevance of 21st Century Skills Definition & relevance of 21st Century Skills Review of resources Review of resources Application of 21st Century Skills to Today’s Issues of Accountability Application of 21st Century Skills to Today’s Issues of Accountability How do Media Specialists support these new skills? How do Media Specialists support these new skills?

Objective: To examine the current body of work on 21st Century Skills and identify points of intersection with the library media program

Importance of a “21st Century” Information Age Education Economic challenges Economic challenges Accelerating technological change Accelerating technological change Rapidly accumulating knowledge Rapidly accumulating knowledge Increasing global competition Increasing global competition Rising workforce capabilities Rising workforce capabilities All Requiring New Skills…..

In the Information Age…… Knowledge is a differentiator in a literate society--equitable access Knowledge is a differentiator in a literate society--equitable access Ubiquitous access to information is essential Ubiquitous access to information is essential New environments are necessary for learning New environments are necessary for learning Learning is “anytime, anywhere” Learning is “anytime, anywhere” Customized learning is available Customized learning is available

enGauge 21st Century Skills: Literacy in the Digital Age NCREL & the Metiri Group 2003http://

enGauge 21st Century Skills document contents Digital literacies: background and need Digital literacies: background and need 21st century skills 21st century skills Bringing 21st century skills into your schools Bringing 21st century skills into your schools Cross match to national models Cross match to national models

enGauge 21st Century Skills: 4 areas encompassing 22 skills Digital-age literacies (8 skills) Digital-age literacies (8 skills) Inventive thinking (6 skills) Inventive thinking (6 skills) Effective communication (5 skills) Effective communication (5 skills) High productivity (3 skills) High productivity (3 skills)

Digital Age Literacies 1.Basic literacy 2.Scientific literacy 3.Economic literacy 4.Technological literacy 5.Visual literacy 6.Information literacy 7.Multicultural literacy 8.Global literacy

Inventive Thinking 1.Adaptability and managing complexity 2.Self-direction 3.Curiosity 4.Creativity 5.Risk taking 6.Higher-order thinking and reasoning

Effective Communication 1.Teaming & collaboration 2.Interpersonal skills 3.Personal responsibility 4.Social & civic responsibility 5.Interactive communication

High Productivity 1.Prioritizing, planning & managing for results 2.Effective use of real-world tools 3.Ability to produce relevant, high- quality products

Cross-Match to National Models National Educational Technology Standards (NETS) (ISTE, 2000) National Educational Technology Standards (NETS) (ISTE, 2000) What Work Requires of Schools (SCANS Report) (USDOL, 1991) What Work Requires of Schools (SCANS Report) (USDOL, 1991) Information Literacy Skills (ALA, 1998) Information Literacy Skills (ALA, 1998)

National Models, cont. Technically Speaking: Why All Americans Need to Know More about Technology (2002) Technically Speaking: Why All Americans Need to Know More about Technology (2002) Standards for Technological Literacy (ITEA,2000) Standards for Technological Literacy (ITEA,2000)

Learning for the 21st Century Partnership for 21st Century Skills 2003 Online Assessment

Learning for the 21st Century document contents Defining the need for change Defining the need for change Key elements of 21st century learning Key elements of 21st century learning Implementing 21st century skills Implementing 21st century skills MILE Guide MILE Guide

Key Elements of 21st Century Learning Emphasize core subjects Emphasize core subjects Emphasize learning skills Emphasize learning skills Use 21st century tools to develop learning skills Use 21st century tools to develop learning skills Teach & learn in a 21st century context Teach & learn in a 21st century context Teach & learn new 21st century content Teach & learn new 21st century content Use 21st century assessments that measure core subjects and 21st century skills Use 21st century assessments that measure core subjects and 21st century skills

21st Century Learning Skills Information Skills: analyzing, accessing, evaluating, creating, etc. Information Skills: analyzing, accessing, evaluating, creating, etc. Communications Skills: oral, written and multimedia Communications Skills: oral, written and multimedia Thinking & Problem-Solving Skills: critical thinking, problem processing, creativity & curiosity Thinking & Problem-Solving Skills: critical thinking, problem processing, creativity & curiosity Interpersonal Skills: collaboration, self- direction, adaptability, social responsibility Interpersonal Skills: collaboration, self- direction, adaptability, social responsibility

21st Century Tools Information & communication technologies: computers and networking Information & communication technologies: computers and networking Audio technologies Audio technologies Video technologies Video technologies Multimedia technologies Multimedia technologies

21st Century Content Global awareness Global awareness Financial, economic & business literacy Financial, economic & business literacy Civic literacy Civic literacy Relevance to students’ lives Relevance to students’ lives Bringing the world into the classroom Bringing the world into the classroom Taking students out into the world Taking students out into the world Interaction with other students Interaction with other students Making connections Making connections 21st Century Context

Application of 21st Century Content & Skills to Today’s Issues of Accountability and Curriculum Design Authentic curricula (MCF) Authentic curricula (MCF) Higher order thinking skills Higher order thinking skills Engaged learners Engaged learners Family and community involvement (NCLB) Family and community involvement (NCLB) Equity (all sub-populations) (NCLB) Equity (all sub-populations) (NCLB)

Application of 21st Century Content & Skills to Today’s Issues of Accountability and Curriculum Design, cont. Scientifically-based learning Scientifically-based learning Extended learning opportunities Extended learning opportunities Advanced coursework (Education Yes) Advanced coursework (Education Yes) Technological literacy (NCLB)(Education Yes) Technological literacy (NCLB)(Education Yes)

The Fit with Media Programs Talk the language Talk the language Be at the table for curriculum design Be at the table for curriculum design Determine where this information fits into your media center program and vision Determine where this information fits into your media center program and vision Establish priorities for integration Establish priorities for integration Align curricula for 21st century skills Align curricula for 21st century skills Examine and align learning assessments to include 21st century skills Examine and align learning assessments to include 21st century skills

Ricki Chowning, Asst. Superintendent for Technology and Media Services Ottawa Area ISD ext