A new teaching approach that is gaining traction across the U.S. is that of infusing teaching with 21st Century Skills learning. The idea behind this approach according to The Partnership for 21st Century Skills (PCS) is, "there is a profound gap between the knowledge and skills most students learn in school and the knowledge and skills they need in typical 21st century communities and workplaces."
For a student, knowing how one learns is critical. Peter Drucker addresses this in a must read article that appeared in the Harvard Business Review, Managing Oneself.
As noted in the article, "schools everywhere are organized on the assumption that there is only one right way to learn and that it is the same way for everybody. But to be forced to learn the way a school teaches is sheer hell for students who learn differently. Indeed, there are probably half a dozen different ways to learn." Some people learn by reading and others by listening. Some even learn by writing.
What is different about today's workplace versus those in the 20th century? As Drucker notes:
For a student, knowing how one learns is critical. Peter Drucker addresses this in a must read article that appeared in the Harvard Business Review, Managing Oneself.
As noted in the article, "schools everywhere are organized on the assumption that there is only one right way to learn and that it is the same way for everybody. But to be forced to learn the way a school teaches is sheer hell for students who learn differently. Indeed, there are probably half a dozen different ways to learn." Some people learn by reading and others by listening. Some even learn by writing.
What is different about today's workplace versus those in the 20th century? As Drucker notes:
"Companies today aren't managing their knowledge workers' careers. Rather, we must each be our own chief executive officer.
Simply put, it's up to you to carve out your place in the work world and know when to change course. And it's up to you to keep yourself engaged and productive during a work life that may span some 50 years.
To do all these things well, you'll need to cultivate a deep understanding of yourself. What are your most valuable strengths and most dangerous weaknesses? Equally important, how do you learn and work with others? What are your most deeply held values? And in what type of work environment can you make the greatest contribution?
The implication is clear: Only when you operate from a combination of your strengths and self-knowledge can you achieve true - and lasting - excellence."
One important element in teaching under this new 21st Century approach is not forgetting that students still need to grasp the foundational skills of subjects.
According to PCS, "to successfully face rigorous higher education coursework, career challenges and a globally competitive workforce, U.S. schools must align classroom environments with real world environments by infusing 21st century skills."
According to PCS, "to successfully face rigorous higher education coursework, career challenges and a globally competitive workforce, U.S. schools must align classroom environments with real world environments by infusing 21st century skills."
The PCS skills set includes:
- Information and communication skills (information and media literacy skills; communication skills)
- Thinking and problem-solving (critical thinking and systems thinking; problem identification, formulation and solution; creativity and intellectual curiosity)
- Interpersonal and self-direction skills (interpersonal and collaborative skills; self-direction; accountability and adaptability; social responsibility)
- Global awareness
- Financial, economic and business literacy, and developing entrepreneurial skills to enhance workplace productivity and career options
- Civic literacy
Beyond 21st Century skills though, students must be able to learn in a way that is effective for them. This is a challenge for schools as they must teach to the masses. Equally important as focusing on 21st Century Skills is providing an environment where students learn how to manage themselves.
As the Drucker article concludes:
"...the shift from manual workers who do as they are told to knowledge workers who have to manage themselves profoundly challenges social structure. Every existing society, even the most individualistic one, takes two things for granted, if only subconsciously: that organizations outlive workers, and that most people stay put.
But today the opposite is true. Knowledge workers outlive organizations, and they are mobile. The need to manage oneself is therefore creating a revolution in human affairs."
Source:
Managing Oneself (PDF)
Harvard Business Review
By: Peter F. Drucker
January 2005
http://academy.clevelandclinic.org/Portals/40/managingoneself.pdf
