21st Century Skills: Wave of the Future or Fad?

There is a great debate among educators on the concept of teaching and measuring 21st Century skills. Some advocates see these skills as essential to preparing students for a knowledge-based economy, yet some are skeptical, citing that there is no support for educators in teaching this concept and that students are still struggling to grasp basic concepts. Are 21st Century skills the wave of the future or just a pipe dream? Below are some resources to get you thinking.

-The Washington Post; January 5, 2009: The Rush for '21st-Century Skills' & The Latest Doomed Pedagogical Fad: 21st-Century Skills

-Edutopia; December 2008: Real World, San Diego: Hands-On Learning at High Tech High

-The Partnership for 21st-Century Skills: P21 has emerged as the leading advocacy organization focused on infusing 21st Century skills into education. The Partnership encourages schools, districts and states to advocate for the infusion of 21st Century skills into education and provides tools and resources to help facilitate and drive change.