Wagner lists 7 essential survival skills for the 21st century as: Critical thinking & problem solving, collaboration across networks and leading, agility and adaptability, initiative and entrepreneurialism, effective oral and written communication, accessing and analyzing information, curiosity and imagination. These skills are the skills students will need to be successful for the rest of their life. Finding ways to incorporate these into education is some of what Wagner's book is about. Reading Wagner's list was a great way to start thinking about my own essential skills for students. My 7 essential survival skills for the 21st Century (and beyond) are:
Critical thinking & problem solving: Students will have to use critical thinking and problem their whole life, whether in school, work, hobbies or while making life decisions. I do not think school classrooms are the only place where students learn critical thinking--some of it comes from daily life and even is more innate in some people--but school is a great place to strengthen students critical thinking. Presenting students with problems to solve and projects are good ways to help students learn critical thinking.
Initiative and entrepreneurialism: A lot of the most successful people are entrepreneurs who start their own businesses or organizations. They did not find a job, they created their own based on what they are passionate about and highly skilled at. Of course taking initiative and starting your own business is not always a certain path to success and is rarely a quick one. However, I think many in America have completely ignored entrepreneurship as an option for their future. Encouraging students to build their future and follow their dreams (while being realistic) is an important part of educating students.
Perseverance: Life is often difficult and students should learn while in school how to be persistent. Learning how to persevere through difficult challenges is an important life skill which should be encouraged in the classroom. Teachers can give students support and do their best to encourage students through difficult times while reminding them of the rewards that come with making it through the challenges in life.
Originality: A lot of school traditionally is about not being original. If you stand out too much, it is likely not for good reasons. However, there are many times when being original is a good thing. Students should not necessarily be original for originalities sake. But in cases where your true personality or ideas differ from the norm, this should be encouraged. Sometimes original ideas or perspectives are the ones which solve problems no one else has been able to solve.
Information management: There is enormous amounts of information in the world today. Students need to be able to find out what the good information is from the bad information. A great example is looking for research sources. Students may find a lot of information about a subject, but what if that information was from a parody news site? Students need to be able to assess the validity of the information they come across.
Respect: Often times I do not think people are respectful to one another. Many of the problems around the world would likely be solved if people simply respected differences. Respecting those around you is a skill that students can learn all throughout school. I think one of the key ways an educator can teach respect, is by being an example of respect, by respecting students, parents, staff and other teacher.
Curiosity and imagination: One thing I think is progressively less emphasized in school as one gets older is curiosity and imagination. Encouraging students to hold onto these as they get older will benefit them. Imagination leads to new discoveries and life is just more interesting when you are curious.
Critical thinking & problem solving: Students will have to use critical thinking and problem their whole life, whether in school, work, hobbies or while making life decisions. I do not think school classrooms are the only place where students learn critical thinking--some of it comes from daily life and even is more innate in some people--but school is a great place to strengthen students critical thinking. Presenting students with problems to solve and projects are good ways to help students learn critical thinking.
Initiative and entrepreneurialism: A lot of the most successful people are entrepreneurs who start their own businesses or organizations. They did not find a job, they created their own based on what they are passionate about and highly skilled at. Of course taking initiative and starting your own business is not always a certain path to success and is rarely a quick one. However, I think many in America have completely ignored entrepreneurship as an option for their future. Encouraging students to build their future and follow their dreams (while being realistic) is an important part of educating students.
Perseverance: Life is often difficult and students should learn while in school how to be persistent. Learning how to persevere through difficult challenges is an important life skill which should be encouraged in the classroom. Teachers can give students support and do their best to encourage students through difficult times while reminding them of the rewards that come with making it through the challenges in life.
Originality: A lot of school traditionally is about not being original. If you stand out too much, it is likely not for good reasons. However, there are many times when being original is a good thing. Students should not necessarily be original for originalities sake. But in cases where your true personality or ideas differ from the norm, this should be encouraged. Sometimes original ideas or perspectives are the ones which solve problems no one else has been able to solve.
Information management: There is enormous amounts of information in the world today. Students need to be able to find out what the good information is from the bad information. A great example is looking for research sources. Students may find a lot of information about a subject, but what if that information was from a parody news site? Students need to be able to assess the validity of the information they come across.
Respect: Often times I do not think people are respectful to one another. Many of the problems around the world would likely be solved if people simply respected differences. Respecting those around you is a skill that students can learn all throughout school. I think one of the key ways an educator can teach respect, is by being an example of respect, by respecting students, parents, staff and other teacher.
Curiosity and imagination: One thing I think is progressively less emphasized in school as one gets older is curiosity and imagination. Encouraging students to hold onto these as they get older will benefit them. Imagination leads to new discoveries and life is just more interesting when you are curious.