Eclectic Technology

Jackie Gerstein has written quite a number of posts that look at The Other 21st Century Skills and Attributes. This post provides an infographic that includes two or three questions that you should ask yourself to see if you are 'facilitating these skills and attributes in the learning environment.

Gerstein also includes links to previous posts where she discusses the specific skills and attributes in more detail.

Jackie Gerstein reviews the skills identified by Tony Wagner as well as six additional skills and attributes she believes learners need today.  She then looks at a recent Gallup Poll that looks at Americans expectations of schools today. Quoting from the post:

"While student success may depend on mastery of content in core subject areas such as math and reading, it also depends on more than knowledge of core content. Critical thinking, creativity, communication, and other soft skills, as well as student physical and social wellbeing, are also necessary for future success in higher education and in the workplace. Americans Say U.S. Schools Should Teach “Soft” Skills"

The post continues and explores how the other 21st century skills may be classified as social-emotional skills and how the growth of these skills may positively impact students in other areas. As always Gerstein has provided a post that pushes boundaries and provides a variety of resources.

Are you interested in learning more about how grit is a 21st century skill? Jackie Gerstein provides an in-depth look at grit in this post. You will find an image with a great definition, a TED Talk by Angela Duckworth on grit, as well as a link to a quiz that allows you to measure your grit level compared to others, and a list of some of the "characteristics or dispositions of Grit."

Perhaps you are asking yourself how can I work grit into my classroom? 

For example, project based learing, or having students work on independent study projects (think passion-driven) provide opportunities for students to use some of the dispositions discussed, such as tenacity, self-control, self-discipling and long-term goal oriented. 

As always, there is a robust list of additional resources.

Although our jobs as educators is to teach our students we must also be aware of their other needs. In this post Jackie Gerstein explores how Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs intersects with education and technology. The infographic above (from the post) shows how each of the area of needs intersects with technology and some of the 21st century learning skills.

The post looks at each area Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs and provides additional information in the six areas that may be addressed through technology. (Physiological needs, the base of the needs, is not addressed via technology.)

This great visual shares Jackie Gerstein's look at the 21st century skills suggested by Tony Wagner. Along with the four listed above, effective communication, critical thinking and problem solving, curiosity and imagination, and agility and adaptability learn a bit more about:

* Collaboration across Networks

* Initiative and Entrepreneurship

* Grit and Perseverance

* Resilience

* Hope and Optimism

* Vision for the Future

* Empathy and Global Stewardship

* Self Regulation

Gerstein has written more on each of these areas and links to her work are also available on this post.