Section 2

Section 2 of this book begins with the idea that four forces are at work which are creating the need for new forms of learning in the 21st century. They are knowledge work, thinking tools, digital lifestyles and learning research. Knowledge workers are needed to create and innovate new products and services that solve real problems and meet the needs of real customers. This is a driving force for economic growth in this century. Technology and digital devices and services-the thinking tools of our time-may be the most potent forces for change.Today, attempting to memorize all of the facts and knowledge in any field is impossible, but can be accessed with a quick Internet search. This being said, knowing a field's core ideas and principles will never become outdated. Today's young people are the first generation to know more about the most powerful tools for change in our society than their elders and this is changing both family and school dynamics. A one-size-fits-all factory model and one-way broadcast approach to learning does not work well for these students. Learning research tells us that context or authentic learning is much more influential than previously thought. Students need more real-world problem solving to make learning last and be useful. Research also shows that when people have an emotional connection to what is being learned, it can be sustained longer. Both face-to-face and virtual collaborations online have been shown to increase motivation and create better results. How to personalize learning and how to differentiate instruction are two of our greatest challenges for this century. There still is resistance to these changes, but schools are trying to find a balance between focusing on applied skills and learning processes and teaching basic skills and content knowledge. A 21st century education for every child will enable all other challenges that we will face to be met.
Section 3 focuses on identifying 21st century skills and specifically on learning and innovation skills. Critical thinking, problem solving, communication, collaboration, creativity and innovation fall under this umbrella. The first two skills are considered to be the new basics for 21st century learning. Research has shown that it is not necessary to master the content before putting it to use. Actually, using knowledge as it is being learned has shown to increase motivation and learning outcomes. The new revised taxonomy provides proof that the processes can be learned at the same time or even in reverse order.Communication and collaboration are best learned socially, either face-to-face or by virtual means. Traditional education's focus on facts, memorization, basic skills and test taking has not been good for the development of creativity and innovation. One of the most effective ways to develop these skills is through design challenge projects in which students must invent solutions to real-world problems. These skills are essential for learning, work and life in this century.