ODYSSEYWARE

With one decade of the century under our belts, it seems surprising that educators, scientists, and parents continue to struggle to define those skills that should be taught in schools to prepare K-12 students for their future in the Information Age. There seem to be as many opinions as there are students, but more and more often, the phrase “21st century skills” is used to identify a specific and progressive list of skills that are necessary to ensure a successful future for today’s students.

Common threads run through many of these lists:

• Creativity and Innovation
• Communication and Collaboration
• Information, Media, and Research Literacy
• Critical Thinking, Problem Solving, and Decision Making
• Flexibility and Adaptability
• Technical Literacy and Digital Citizenship
• Global and Cultural Awareness

Many critics contend that, with a few technology-based exceptions, these are the skills that we have been trying to teach children for decades, and yet there are subtle differences worth noting.

While a thorough understanding of core concepts is an essential foundation for students, as educators we must go beyond the basics into the real world. With facts, statistics, and opinions available through a simple Google search, the need to memorize and store information becomes less relevant in the 21st century. Conversely, the ability to access and utilize this information becomes more and more important. Underlying concepts in math and science, while critical, become the basis for students in the Information Age to find creative solutions to the new challenges we face as citizens of the planet, and to do this in conjunction with learners as far away as the other side of the globe.

The question then, in many instances, changes from “what?” to “how?”, and the participants in the discussion can now be worlds away.

ODYSSEYWARE online curriculum embraces 21st century skills and teaches students how to direct their own journey in learning. With interactive media embedded in the lessons, students have the opportunity to use technology daily and to learn the benefits and the pitfalls that come with the use of electronic tools. A rigorous curriculum, it helps to build a strong foundation for innovative thought and real world problem solving. It brings learning into the Digital Age.

What do you think are the most important skills students need to carry them into their future and encourage lifetime learning?