Education for the 21st Century

Global Village takes seriously the need to teach 21st century skills to middle school students. The Partnership for 21st Century Skills (2011) identified various skills that are essential for the 21st century. These include media and technology skills, life and career skills, core subject skills, and a collection of learning and innovation skills referred to as the 4 Cs: creativity, critical thinking, collaboration, and communication. Research suggests that additional skills, such as using imagination, being inquisitive and self-directed, working as a team member, and taking risks, are also important 21st century skills (Jerald 2009; Garriock 2011).