THE 21^ST CENTURY LEARNER

Creative thinking may simply mean the realization that there is no particular virtue in doing things the way they have always been done. To stay competitive, we must take a fresh look at what we do and what makes 21^st century employees valuable.

To do that, we should first look at the organization and then focus on the learner.

Today we want employees who can be contributors to a flexible organization. The reason is that our organizations are always evolving. In fact, in the Information Age we talk about two kinds of companies—the quick and the dead.

Employers have always asked for employees who can "hit the ground running"—these are adaptive employees. They bring usable skills into the organization. Today job requirements go beyond being adaptive. As organizations change, we want employees to be adaptable—employees who are able to change, learn new skills, and add to their knowledge. However, the most valuable employees are those who can be transformative. These are individuals who can see changes that need to be made and can work with people and the organization to transform the enterprise.

21st Century Skills

To be valuable in a flexible organization, there are six fundamental competencies that learners need. This is not all that they need to know, to be sure. However, these characteristics will help students prepare themselves for career security not just a job.

I. Problem Solving

Throughout almost anyone's career, problem solving is one of the constants. Whether for figuring out how to get support for a project, dealing with a personnel situation, or how to finance a technology initiative, the six fundamental steps in problem solving are a common theme:

1. Problem recognition
2. Problem definition
3. Formulating a strategy for problem solving
4. Representing information
5. Allocating resources
6. Monitoring and evaluation

Perhaps we would better prepare students if we taught them the six steps in problem solving. These can be taught as a process and integrated into the curriculum. Although we don’t always recognize a problem, when we do, what sets the good apart from the mediocre is the ability to define the right problem. We oftentimes waste a tremendous amount of time and energy solving things that don’t really address the root problem. These are tangible returns from solid problem-solving skills.

II. Teamwork

There is a strong demand for teamwork in today's employees. The need for teams results, in part, from the increasing complexity of our world. Science and technology have made life so much more complex that no one person has all the skills they need to solve a problem anymore. It requires a team.

However, teams are not the same as committees. In fact, teams demand more of employees than traditional jobs did. Teamwork requires more discipline. And it requires more interpersonal skills.

III. Interpersonal Skills

For the last 25 years, experts have been calling for more interpersonal skills and communication skills. These skills require more than writing, speaking and listening. Particularly in a team environment, individuals need to be able to provide feedback, give encouragement, delegate responsibility and share recognition. There are interpersonal skills that are valuable in both personal and professional situations.

IV. Creativity

What is one characteristic that will set individuals apart? Creativity. Unfortunately, many say that our educational system drives creativity out of students. Creativity is associated with being able to define and redefine problems in different ways. It is also associated with being able to deal with ambiguity.

But being creative is more than just having a unique idea. Not all ideas are created equal. Creativity is also about being able to analyze and evaluate ideas; make a decision and translate that idea into a practical accomplishment.

V. Project Management

Similar to problem solving, one of the career-bridging skills in a complex, technological world is project management. Whether the project is completing a term paper or a major technology initiative, project management skills are an asset.