August 2004 — Industry Perspective
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Policymakers and 21st Century Skills
In particular, students should be using 21st century technologies and learning skills to learn the core subjects. In order to promote this integration, the Partnership has collaborated with major content-area groups to illustrate the intersection of core subjects and ICT Literacy. We have done landmark work through bringing together these groups, which has resulted in excellent models of ICT Literacy integration called ICT Literacy Maps.
By using ICT Literacy Maps for geography, math, science and English, educators will gain concrete examples of how ICT Literacy can be integrated into core subjects. These maps demonstrate quite vividly how students can integrate ICT Literacy into core subject areas by the fourth-, eighth- and 12th-grade levels. They also make it clear just how essential learning skills are to the teaching of core subjects, and how easily 21st century tools can be used to teach both core subjects and learning skills.
Conclusion
Today, we need a policy framework for 21st century skills. NCLB is a timely opportunity, and every core subject provides an excellent chance to integrate ICT Literacy and 21st century skills. Educators, including higher education leadership, policymakers, and corporate and civic leaders, must jointly and expeditiously articulate a broad vision for 21st century education because that will inevitably map our nation's path in the coming years.
States have a long way to go in integrating these skills into curriculum and instruction, and K-12 and higher education leaders must support them in these efforts. A recent Education Week report shows that all but six states include technology requirements in their state academic standards, but only three — New York, North Carolina and Utah — actually test student knowledge of technology to see if the instruction is having an impact.
Most states have not yet systematically integrated ICT Literacy into education. While in some places, a lack of technology access still remains a barrier to 21st century learning. Policymakers can lead the way by making a concerted, comprehensive commitment, as well as by taking action toward the integration of 21st century skills and ICT Literacy into state standards, assessments and policies.
Online Resources
- Partnership for 21st Century Skills
www.21stcenturyskills.org - "Learning for the 21st Century"
www.21stcenturyskills.org/reports/learning.asp - "The Road to 21st Century Learning"
www.21stcenturyskills.org/downloads/P21_Policy_Paper.pdf - ICT Literacy Maps
www.21stcenturyskills.org/matrices
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