There are 4 key dimensions that prepare students for the 21st Century, based on the Center for Curriculum Redesign. Knowledge is the dimension that is mainly developed and measured in schools. However, to prepare students for the 21st century, the other 3 other dimensions (Character, Skills, & Metalearning) are equally as important to focus on! Let’s unleash their full potential!
The 21st century learner is in 4D
What are the 21st Century Competencies?
"Soft skills", "Transversal competencies", "Life skills"...
Here’s how we classify the 12 Competencies!
Skills
These competencies enable you to discover how to use your knowledge in the best way
Collaboration
Programs to develop it:
BE a Teamplayer
BE a Global Citizen
BE a solid part of a group activity or/and project with the will to create and maintain a shared understanding of a problem. A collaborative person can share and take responsibility, give and receive feedback, and face a conflict if needed. They are a person who works with empathy and others can rely on.
Communication
Programs to develop it:
BE a Leader
BE a Global Citizen
BE able to listen actively, understand others and express clearly and precisely knowledge and ideas. A skilled communicator is able to adapt its communication style according to the audience and deliver the message using various methods such as verbal, nonverbal, written or digital.
Critical Thinking
Programs to develop it:
BE Organized
BE a Global Citizen
BE able to solve problems, make decisions, and learn new things using logic and reasoning. A person thinking critically considers alternative and opposing perspectives and is able to identify strengths and weaknesses of each solution or conclusion taken. This involves clearly organizing information, knowing what questions to ask and making sense of confusing ideas.
Creativity
Programs to develop it:
BE an Entrepreneur
BE able to come up with ideas and implement actions that are both new and useful. When faced with an obstacle or an uncertain situation, a creative person is able to propose multitude ideas, adopt variety of perspectives and adjust previous actions or ideas.
Character
Those competencies are essential to behave and engage in the world.
Leadership
Programs to develop it:
BE a Teamplayer
BE an Entrepreneur
BE a person that can set goals for themselves and inspire others to follow them in order to accomplish a positive change. A leader collaborates and manages ethically all the human, financial and material resources. Leaders have a strategic mindset and a clear vision, which are needed to accomplish goals and face challenges. A leader serves as an inspiration for their own community.
Ethics
Programs to develop it:
BE a Leader
BE a Global Citizen
BE able to make decisions based on a strong system of moral principles, such as respect, equality, honesty and justice. An ethical person is concerned with what is good for themself, other individuals, and society. Ethical people consider consequences of own actions and try to make decisions that will leave a positive mark on the world.
Resilience
Programs to develop it:
BE Organized
BE an Entrepreneur
BE able to deal with and adapt to changes, ambiguity and challenges that various situations or experiences present, appropriately. When facing obstacles, a resilient person will go to the end of things with patience, flexibility and a positive mindset.
Courage
Programs to develop it:
BE a Leader
BE Confident
BE able to accomplish aims and goals no matter what potential constraints or obstacles there are. Courageous people do not hesitate to express their opinions, needs and feelings regardless of potential consequences. A courageous person is able to speak up, take a stand, mobilize and confront others if necessary.
Curiosity
Programs to develop it:
BE Confident
BE a Global Citizen
BE in love with learning, understanding and intellectual exploration. Thinking and investigating are among the most favourite activities that attracts a curious person. Drawn to inquiry and new ideas, this person has an open and playful mindset.
Mindfulness
Programs to develop it:
BE Confident
BE able to be in the present moment and aware of their own state as well as the state of the world. A mindful person is capable to have multiple perspectives, be aware of and express emotions appropriately and to understand the world in its complexity. Novelty is welcomed with calm, happiness and openness to it.
Metalearning
How we reflect and adapt
Growth Mindset
Programs to develop it:
BE Confident
BE an Entrepreneur
BE able to internalize they have the power to effect change, in themselves, others and the world. A person with a growth mindset believes that one can always learn, grow, and improve and is able to see progress on the efforts they put in. These people are always capable to see failure, drawbacks and feedbacks as a chance to grow and to improve themselves.
Metacognition
Programs to develop it:
BE a Teamplayer
BE Organized
BE capable of recognizing own knowledge, skills, behaviours and ways of learning. A metacognitive person is able to reflect on and adapt own learning strategies and adjust goals accordingly. In general, a highly meta-cognitive person demonstrates flexibility in choices, decisions and actions, thanks to an in-depth self-knowledge and ability to self-regulate.