Presents an introduction to the framework of twenty-first century learning, covering the skills needed to thrive, including learning and innovations skills, digital literacy skills, and life and career skills 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. Figures and Tables xiForeword to the Paperback Edition xiiiThe Authors xxiPrologue: The Search for Innovative Learning xxvIntroduction: Learning to Innovate, Innovating Learning xxixThe Four Question Exercise xxxAbout This Book xxxivA Map of the Book xxxvPart One: What Is 21st Century Learning?1 Learning Past and Future 3Learning a Living: The Future of Work and Careers 7Learning Through Time 112 The Perfect Learning Storm: Four Converging Forces 21Knowledge Work 24Thinking Tools 25Digital Lifestyles 27Learning Research 30The Forces of Resistance 35The Turning of Learning: Toward a New Balance 36The Top 21st Century Challenge 40Part Two: What Are 21st Century Skills?3 Learning and Innovation Skills: Learning to Create Together 45The Knowledge-and-Skills Rainbow 47Learning to Learn and Innovate 49Critical Thinking and Problem Solving 50Communication and Collaboration 54Creativity and Innovation 564 Digital Literacy Skills: Info-Savvy, Media-Fluent, Tech-Tuned 61Information Literacy 65Media Literacy 67ICT Literacy 685 Career and Life Skills: Work-Ready, Prepared for Life 73Flexibility and Adaptability 75Initiative and Self-Direction 77Social and Cross-Cultural Interaction 80Productivity and Accountability 82Leadership and Responsibility 84Part Three: 21st Century Learning in Practice 6 21st Century Learning and Teaching 89Learning P's and Q's: Problems and Questions 90Roads to Answers and Solutions: Science and Engineering 917 Powerful Learning: Proven Practices, Researched Results 95The 21st Century Project Learning Bicycle 96Creativity Through Projects 104Evidence That Project Learning Works 107Obstacles to Collaborative Inquiry and Design Learning 1148 Retooling Schooling: Reshaping Support Systems 117Shifting Systems in Sync 120Support Systems 125From Skills to Expertise: Future Learning Frameworks 1459 Conclusion: Learning for Life-Building a Better World 151Appendix A Resources 15921st Century Skills Example Videos DVD 159Resources from the Partnership for 21st Century Skills 161Selected Online Resources 162Appendix B About the Partnership for 21st Century Skills 167What Is P21? 167What Does P21 Do? 168How the P21 Learning Framework Came into Being 170Appendix C 3Rs x7Cs = 21st Century Learning 175Acknowledgments 179Notes 183References 187Credits 197How to Use the DVD 199Index 201