21st Century Skills: Learning for Life in Our Times [Hardcover]

Bernie Trilling (Author), Charles Fadel (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 5, 2009 | ISBN-10: 0470475382 | ISBN-13: 978-0470475386 | Edition: 1

The new building blocks for learning in a complex world

This important resource introduces a framework for 21st Century learning that maps out the skills needed to survive and thrive in a complex and connected world. 21st Century content includes the basic core subjects of reading, writing, and arithmetic-but also emphasizes global awareness, financial/economic literacy, and health issues. The skills fall into three categories: learning and innovations skills; digital literacy skills; and life and career skills. This book is filled with vignettes, international examples, and classroom samples that help illustrate the framework and provide an exciting view of twenty-first century teaching and learning.

• Explores the three main categories of 21st Century Skills: learning and innovations skills; digital literacy skills; and life and career skills
• Addresses timely issues such as the rapid advance of technology and increased economic competition
• Based on a framework developed by the Partnership for 21st Century Skills (P21)

The book contains a DVD with video clips of classroom teaching. For more information on the book visit www.21stcenturyskillsbook.com.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Praise for 21^st Century Skills

"The authors have done nothing less than provide a bold framework for designing a 21st century approach to education, an approach aimed at preparing all of our children to successfully meet the challenges of this brave, new world."—Paul Reville, secretary of education, Commonwealth of Massachusetts; former director of the Education Policy and Management Program, Harvard Graduate School of Education

"Trilling and Fadel describe in very readable, practical terms how to infuse 21^st Century skills from standards all the way into the classroom. The DVD is full of wonderful ‘a-ha’ moments to illustrate the possibilities. A terrific traveling companion for educators, parents, and business and government decision-makers concerned about the future of our kids."—Paige Johnson, 2009 chair, Partnership for 21^st Century Skills; Global K-12 Manager, Intel Corporation

"It’s about time that we have such an accessible and wise book about the 21st century skills that so many companies, policymakers, and educators are talking about. Trilling and Fadel distill insights from diverse communities of reflective inquiry on what redesigns of learning environments are needed to foster these skills, and provide path-finding tools for the exciting expeditions into the future of learning." —Roy Pea, professor, Education and the Learning Sciences, Stanford University

"Trilling and Fadel lay out a comprehensive understanding of what is meant by 21^st century skills. Read this book with a note pad—you’ll be jotting down ideas for how to use the information in your school district. A must read for superintendents, curriculum directors, and teachers." —Anne L. Bryant, executive director, National School Boards Association

"Trilling and Fadel take the 21^st Century skills debate beyond rhetoric, providing a substantive, compelling, and engaging argument for the skills and competencies that our children need to succeed in a knowledge age economy. The skills they describe are the essential life-blood of a productive, engaged, and intelligent citizenry – this book is a must-read for skeptics and enthusiasts alike!" —Margaret Honey, president and CEO, New York Hall of Science

“Hooray to Bernie Trilling and Charles Fadel for demystifying 21^st century skills. This book makes clear why education must change: to help prepare students to meet complex challenges, fulfill their civic responsibilities, and live fulfilling lives. Full of crisp descriptions, 21^st Century Skills persuasively shows why policymakers and educators should run—not walk—to implement 21^st learning designs. As Trilling and Fadel simply put it, it’s time to give all students the chance to learn how to build a better world.” —John Wilson, executive director, National Education Association

“With 21st Century Skills, Bernie Trilling and Charles Fadel have given us a global ‘search and replace’ for outdated educational thinking. Replace ‘scope and sequence’ with the ‘21st Century Learning Framework,’ the P21 rainbow. Replace ‘models of curriculum and instruction’ with their ‘Project Learning Bicycle.’ And don't miss their ‘Kingdom of Learning, Learnalot,’ one of the most clever educational parables ever told.” —Milton Chen, executive director, The George Lucas Educational Foundation

“Bernie Trilling and Charles Fadel have written a book that is truly visionary, providing sound insight into education in the 21^st century. Their book provides solid, practical advice for educators, policymakers, business leaders and others interested in improving America’s position in the global economy. I recommend it to anyone interested in maximizing classroom effectiveness in this digital age.” —Dr. Steven L. Paine, superintendent of schools, West Virginia

“A must read for anyone interested in the United States ability to compete in a global economy. Educators, policy makers, business leaders, parents and students will benefit from the comprehensive information in 21st Century Skills.”—Mary Ann Wolf, executive director, State Educational Technology Directors Association (SETDA)

“Working, living and learning in the 21st Century will require an expanded set of skills, competencies and flexibilities. We must prepare for a continuous learning and reskilling process throughout our lives and careers. This is a powerful exploration of what we collectively face as we live the future. A must read!”—Elliott Masie, CEO and Chair, The Learning Consortium

“Charles & Bernie’s book cuts to the core challenge facing our country—Is our education system preparing our children with the skills to succeed in a ‘flat’ 21^st century world? Much more than a treatise on what is wrong with education, they provide a compelling vision for education as it should be and a roadmap for getting where we need to go.”—Keith R. Krueger, CEO, Consortium for School Networking (CoSN)

“This book presents an innovative, comprehensive strategy for evolving education to meet the needs of 21st century society.” —Chris Dede, Timothy E. Wirth Professor in Learning Technologies, Harvard Graduate School of Education

“21^st Century Skills is full of interesting examples illustrating both what work will look like in the years ahead and how thoughtful educators are preparing children to thrive in tomorrow’s workplaces. The richness of the examples reflects the authors’ extensive knowledge of how work is changing in the nation’s most innovative firms and their deep involvement in the efforts to improve America ’s schools.” — Richard J. Murnane, Thompson Professor of Education and Society, Harvard Graduate of Education

“Bernie Trilling and Charles Fadel have been two of the essential intellects behind the growth of the 21^st century skills movement. We have been asked for years to provide an in-depth treatment of the 21^st century skills framework. Here it is.” —Ken Kay, executive director, Partnership for 21^st Century Skills; CEO, e-Luminate Group

"Trilling and Fadel have captured powerful insight into critical 21st century learning skills. Life goes on and so must learning - this book is a must for anyone interested in the future of education."—Allan Weis, former IBM vice president; founder of ThinkQuest and Advanced Network and Services

“This is a very informed, insightful, accessible book that will help policy makers, education leaders, teachers, parents—anyone interested in improving education—understand the profound global forces that are reshaping our society and their implications for education reform. 21^st Century Skills provides specific recommendations for how we can—indeed must—change the curriculum, teaching, assessment, use of technology and the organization of our schools to better prepare students to be productive, creative citizens and workers in the global society and economy of the 21^st century.” —Robert B. Kozma, Ph.D., emeritus director, Center for Technology in Learning, SRI International

“Bernie and Charles have presented a well researched and futuristic frame work for changing how we teach and learn for the 21st Century. It will be up to all of us to accept this challenge and move our country and world into and beyond the 21st Century.” —Kathy Hurley, senior vice president, Pearson K-12 Solutions & Pearson Foundation; incoming chairman, The Partnership for 21st Century Skills

“This is a well written and referenced roadmap for the complicated and interconnected collection of skills, knowledge and attitudes that are essential for citizens to master in our increasingly complex and rapidly changing technological society.” —John E. Abele, founding chairman of the board, Boston Scientific

“Inspirational and motivational, this book is a practical guide to implementing and understanding 21st Century Skills. Every teacher and parent should read it so they can prepare their children and their students to solve the problems of tomorrow, today.”—Dr. Barbara “Bobbi” Kurshan, executive director, Curriki

“After all the talk about organizing education, this book leads us back to what education is for. 21^st Century Skills is a comprehensive and elegant survey of our changing world, the skills it requires, and how those skills can be taught and learned. Here is a blueprint for 21st century schooling.” —Michael Stevenson, vice president global education, Cisco

“This book presents an excellent case and roadmap for K-12 schools, for balancing content knowledge delivery with the development of necessary skills for success. It can serve as a valuable guide for parents, educators, and policy makers.” —Ioannis Miaoulis, Ph.D., president and director, Museum of Science, Boston

“For anyone who cares about the future of our children and their success in a global economy, 21st Century Skills is required reading.” —Gerald Chertavian, chairman, Massachusetts Board of Elementary and Secondary Education's 21st Century Skills Task Force; founder and CEO, YearUp

“Struggling to understand or explain the imperative for 21st century skills in our schools? Begin here.” —Julie A. Walker, executive director, American Association of School Librarians (AASL)

“21st Century Skills: Learning for Life in our Times is a...

From the Inside Flap

The world has undergone foundational shifts in recent decades—widespread advances in technology and communications, booming economic developments and increased competition, and the escalation of global challenges from financial meltdowns to global warming. How can we prepare students to meet the challenges of our century if our schools remain virtually unchanged?

This essential resource introduces a framework for 21st century learning that maps out the skills needed to survive and thrive in a complex and connected world. A 21st century education includes knowledge of traditional core subjects such as reading, writing, and arithmetic—but also emphasizes contemporary themes such as global awareness and financial/economic, health, and environmental literacies. Students in 21st century schools will apply their knowledge to understanding and solving real-world challenges using their 21st century skills:

Learning and Innovation Skills:

• Creativity and Innovation, Critical Thinking and Problem Solving, and Communication and Collaboration
• Digital Literacy Skills: Information Literacy, Media Literacy, and ICT Literacy
• Career and Life Skills: Flexibility and Adaptability, Initiative and Self-Direction, Social and Cross-Cultural Skills, Productivity and Accountability, Leadership and Responsibility

The book is filled with classroom vignettes, global examples, schoolwork samples, and includes a DVD with video mini-documentaries of innovative practices that bring the skills to life and offer an exciting view of what teaching and learning can and will look like as we transform learning to meet the demands of the 21st century.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 240 pages
• Publisher: Jossey-Bass; 1 edition (October 5, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0470475382
• ISBN-13: 978-0470475386
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.1 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #22,594 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 21st Century Skills: Learning for Life in Our Times, October 31, 2009

By 

Dee Hartt - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: 21st Century Skills: Learning for Life in Our Times (Hardcover)

First off, thanks to the authors for writing a book that is applicable to teaching and learning. I've read 6 other books on 21st century skills topics and none have come close to providing models, examples, etc. on teaching and learning. In this book the authors spend less time detailing the changes in our world that are bringing an emphasis on "21st century skills" back to the forefront and more time on defining the skills and a learning framework to be used by educators in assisting students acquisition of these skills. The text details each "21st century skill" with descriptors of what students should be able to do. For educators, this is paramount in designing performance tasks and/or evaluating student performance tasks as actually being a "21st century skill." The authors then provide a learning framework or the "the project learning bicycle" and finish up with good descriptors of system changes to promote the implementation of their ideas. To sum up my thoughts, this is a book written for educational practitioners.

Dee W. Hartt, Ed. D.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars loved the ideas presented in this book!, December 25, 2009

By 

M. Hagen (Maine) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: 21st Century Skills: Learning for Life in Our Times (Hardcover)

An informative book for any parent who is actively engaged in their child's education. If more schools had the kind of learning framework presented here, we could revolutionize education as we know it. So many of us faltered along the way because we were forced to learn in a system that didn't optimize our capabilities or support our learning styles. This book offers the guidance and vision within a comprehensive framework that can do both. We need this kind of thoughtful leadership now more than ever if we want to be competitive in the global environment.

Be sure to watch the DVD portion, it was so inspiring it made me want to go back to 4th grade..and that's the way our kids should feel about going to school every day!

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Learning for Life in the 21st Century, November 25, 2009

By 

John Connell (Lauder, Scotland, UK) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: 21st Century Skills: Learning for Life in Our Times (Hardcover)

"....to the little girl in Santo Domingo, whose eyes will forever remind me that 'a mind is a terrible thing to waste.' "

May you, and the millions like you, find the dignity, happiness, and serenity you deserve, through the transformational power of education.

This powerful and personal memory ends Charles Fadel's dedication of the book he has co-authored with Bernie Trilling: 21st Century Skills: Learning for Life in our Times. The slogan of the UNCF, a phrase redolent of that long and continuing struggle for civil rights in the USA, is an apt reminder of the critical role of education in building and maintaining a world in which every child has the chance to experience the joy of learning and a chance to take his or her life somewhere beyond mere survival.

The first point to make is that 21st Century Skills is a highly practical and down-to-earth introduction to the detail that underpins the Partnership for 21st Century Skills (P21), the US-based (but determinedly outward-looking) organization focused on "...infusing 21st century skills into education." The book manages to offer a concise and accessible exposition of all the key issues, ideas and philosophy of P21. Anyone who wants all of that in a single, highly readable package would do well to seek out this book.

Fadel & Trilling take us through their definition of 21st century learning, through what they call `the perfect learning storm', namely a convergence of forces, as they see them, that should be causing us to re-think the shape and objectives of schooling today, through the full P21 set of 21st century skills, and through a series of pragmatic examples of P21 in practice. The objective is to meet one of the pivotal challenges of our time:

"The 21st century challenge for each of us is to build and maintain our own identity from our given traditions and from the wide variety of traditions all around us. At the same time we must all learn to apply tolerance and compassion for the different identities and values of others."

I like this because it accords with my own preference to view education primarily as a means for the reproduction and development of cultures, and only secondarily as a means for the maintenance of a society. Jerome Bruner has written:

"Man's intellect....is not simply his own, but is communal in the sense that its unlocking or empowering depends upon the success of the culture in developing means to that end."

Building and strengthening of culture is a process that happens from the ground up, while building and strengthening a society tends to happen from the top down. If one of the underlying tenets of P21 is to focus on the former, while not forgetting the importance of the latter, then I can only commend this attempt to describe the 21st century skills approach as one that teachers should, at the very least, take account of in developing their own teaching practice.

There are those who have tried to dismiss P21 as an endeavour whose primary aim is the creation of a `content-free curriculum', or even a `knowledge-free curriculum'. This is simply nonsense, and is indeed, at heart, malicious in its intent. P21 is about shifting the balance in the curriculum; it is not about deleting the experience of hundreds of years of formal education. As the authors say:

Teachers who are shifting their practices to meet the needs of our times talk about how they're remixing the coverage of content with the uncovering of ideas and concepts....

21st Century Skills: Learning for Life in our Times is, I believe, an important book, one that offers a clear, intelligible and comprehensive characterization of the essential features of the P21 approach. It is a book that I would commend to anyone interested in thinking through the relevance of education to children today and into the future.