21st Century Skills: Why they matter, What they are, and How we get there

  Educational systems today are producing students who lack 21st century skills needed in a 21st century world. The normal skills and subject area being taught are simply not enough to be productive in today's society. A job is no longer ensured for the graduate. Creativity, problem-solving, and management are skills now needed that aren't being taught in the schools or workforce, but they are becoming critically important. As the competing nation the United States is, it sure is losing ground when it comes to these skills needed. The infrastructure for these 21st century skills are being built slowly but surely to help ensure future success in our students to come.

   I think this would be wonderful. In alot of ways, it will mean completely changing the mindset and methods of what and how we are teaching. It is not merely focused on technology and that aspect of learning, but the focus is actually on the needs of the individual learners. It's focused on what is best for them. Yes, our system does lack critical thinking and creativity skills. Everything has been baby-fed to us for years. I'm excited to see a challenge arising and people who are willing to meet that challenge. Though it sounds great, I'm sure there are pitfalls to this too. For instance, if students couldn't master the core subjects before, will these students have the ability to attain such skills? I don't know, but I think this would be good to find out.