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21st Century Skills Reflection K. Ashley EDL 715

Everywhere we turn in educational communities there is an increasing emphasis on applying 21st century skills. In their book, //21st Century Skills,// Trilling and Fadel explore the different components that go into our training of students. This book highlights several different perspectives for examining these skills from its history to its present implications. The first part of this books focuses on taking a look at the history of technology. First, we look at knowledge and thinking tools that have been part of the educational system. We also looked at the digital lifestyles that are prevalent today. And the final factor the book discussed was about learning research and finding a new balance in what is new and old. It was interesting to consider that “net geners’ lifelong immersion in all things digital has given them a whole new set of desires and expectations” (29). Part two of this book focused more of identifying the skills that are included in the 21st century preparation and mind-set. The authors specifically explored the issues of Learning and Innovation, Digital Literacy, and Career and Life Skills. These components can be displayed in the Knowledge and Skills Rainbow. I appreciate the visual representation of the information. The third and final part of this book focuses on the Application of these skills. The visual representation of the Project Learning Bicycle is particularly important in showing how all these factors work together to make a whole learning experience. As I read the final section of the book, I connected with the list of the “7 C’s of 21st Century Learning.” Their list included the following skills: As I read through this list, I truly see how each of these contributes to the whole learning and preparedness of the students. It is also essential to add the “3 R’” as the book stated, too. As children prepare for their learning, we need to combine the regular academic skills along with the new skills listed above. There were many strong points made from this book and I see the value of applying these ideas. Two models that really stick with me are the rainbow of learning and the project learning bicycle. As a visual learner, these images help to solidify my understanding of the information and principles. In the books’ conclusion, they make a statement that I think should guide our teaching. They wrote the following, “Its time to give all our students the chance to build a better world” (179). I think this should inspire how I plan my lessons and think about my students learning. We should all be working together to make a better world.
 * 1) Critical thinking and problem solving
 * 2) Creativity and Innovation
 * 3) Collaboration, teamwork and leadership
 * 4) Cross-cultural understanding
 * 5) Communication Information and Media Literacy
 * 6) Computing and ICT literacy
 * 7) Career and learning self-reliance.