What are

21st-century Skills?

21st-century skills are skills and abilities that have been identified as important for success in the 21st-century, particularly compared to previous centuries. They include:Problem solving and critical thinking
Creativity and innovation
Communication
Collaboration and teamwork
Resourcefulness
Ability to handle complexity and complex problems
Flexibility

New Skills Require a New Learning Design

21st-century skills cannot be learned using old instruction methods that were designed to develop skills important in the 19th century. We need to move to active learning in order to learn and practice today’s in-demand skills.

It is madness to think that we can expect a different outcome in skills using the same method of learning that we created 200 years ago that was designed to develop skills appropriate to that period of time. Access to knowledge has changed dramatically, as has work itself.

Why Passive Learning Will Never Work

Passive learning is individual, does not require collaboration, communication, or solving problems. Information is provided to you, and there the engagement required is low. This is literally the opposite of work in the digital economy, particularly for software engineers, product managers, and digital marketers.

Just like sports, music, surgery, carpentry, and so much more, you don’t learn skills by sitting in a classroom, listening to a lecture, or watching a video. You learn by DOING. You learn through practice, trial and error, by developing more efficient methods for problem solving after getting frustrated over and over again at your inefficient problem-solving. No type of passive learning will develop 21st-century skills.