What is the
difference between 20th century and 21st century skills?
Is there a difference? I guess, yes, in terms of the industrial model vs a more
organic, creative model. In the 20th century model we needed to be
able to memorise and repeat knowledge, we learned content and had to be able to
recall it, we also focused on indiviudal work more than collaborative or
sharing; 21st century skills are more focused on finding,
retrieving, understanding and applying knowledge and being adaptable, evolving,
creative and able to work with others. Do we need both sets of skills? I say
yes, you need to know how to do things, how things work, plus it’s fun to know
stuff, but that knowledge alone won’t let you succeed or soar – you need to
know how to apply it in the real world.
Totally agree that it isn't an either/or choice Jo. The perceived tension between these two sets of skills is a fabrication. Evolution is the building on sets of (pre)existing foundations, so in a way that suggests progression rather than replacement, I believe we are just focussing on the development of the same skills with more of an emphasis on a creative outcome.
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