4+Partnership+for+21st+Century+Learning


 * ** Framework for 21st Century Learning ** || ||

The key elements of 21st century learning are represented in the graphic and descriptions below. The graphic represents both 21st century skills **// student outcomes //** (as represented by the arches of the rainbow) and 21st century skills **// support systems //** (as represented by the pools at the bottom). ||
 * The Framework presents a holistic view of 21st century teaching and learning that combines a discrete focus on 21st century student outcomes (a blending of specific skills, content knowledge, expertise and literacies) with innovative support systems to help students master the multi-dimensional abilities required of them in the 21st century.

** LEARNING AND INNOVATION SKILLS **

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

**CREATIVITY AND INNOVATION**

**//Think Creatively//** • Use a wide range of idea creation techniques (such as brainstorming) • Create new and worthwhile ideas (both incremental and radical concepts) • Elaborate, refine, analyze and evaluate their own ideas in order to improve and maximize creative efforts

**//Work Creatively with Others//** • Develop, implement and communicate new ideas to others effectively • Be open and responsive to new and diverse perspectives; incorporate group input and feedback into the work • Demonstrate originality and inventiveness in work and understand the real world limits to adopting new ideas • View failure as an opportunity to learn; understand that creativity and innovation is a long-term, cyclical process of small successes and frequent mistakes

**//Implement Innovations//** • Act on creative ideas to make a tangible and useful contribution to the field in which the innovation will occur

**CRITICAL THINKING AND PROBLEM SOLVING**

**//Reason Effectively//** • Use various types of reasoning (inductive, deductive, etc.) as appropriate to the situation

**//Use Systems Thinking//** • Analyze how parts of a whole interact with each other to produce overall outcomes in complex systems

**//Make Judgments and Decisions//** • Effectively analyze and evaluate evidence, arguments, claims and beliefs • Analyze and evaluate major alternative points of view • Synthesize and make connections between information and arguments • Interpret information and draw conclusions based on the best analysis • Reflect critically on learning experiences and processes

**//Solve Problems//** • Solve different kinds of non-familiar problems in both conventional and innovative ways • Identify and ask significant questions that clarify various points of view and lead to better solutions

**COMMUNICATION AND COLLABORATION**

**// Communicate Clearly //** • Articulate thoughts and ideas effectively using oral, written and nonverbal communication skills in a variety of forms and contexts • Listen effectively to decipher meaning, including knowledge, values, attitudes and intentions • Use communication for a range of purposes (e.g. to inform, instruct, motivate and persuade) • Utilize multiple media and technologies, and know how to judge their effectiveness a priori as well as assess their impact • Communicate effectively in diverse environments (including multi-lingual)

**//Collaborate with Others//** • Demonstrate ability to work effectively and respectfully with diverse teams • Exercise flexibility and willingness to be helpful in making necessary compromises to accomplish a common goal • Assume shared responsibility for collaborative work, and value the individual contributions made by each team member

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