What will students need to succeed in our Digital Age? The term 21st Century skills describes the knowledge and skills that go above and beyond traditional academic expectations. It means:
 
  • Ability to apply knowledge to real-world challenges
  • Broader competencies, such as problem-solving, critical thinking, and strong interpersonal skills for communication and collaboration.

At the Alabama Best Practices Center (ABPC), 21st Century Learners started out as a stand-alone initiative funded by Microsoft to help teachers embrace advanced instructional strategies focused on 21st Century skills.

With the guidance of Sheryl Nussbaum-Beach, it was a huge opportunity to raise the awareness of the A+ staff and many hundreds of school and teacher leaders about the issues confronting schools as our world becoming increasingly a place where learning is:
  • 24/7
  • interactive
  • connected to the world
  • participatory, and not bound by school walls

As a result, ABPC has interwoven 21st Century skills throughout our professional learning programs. 

Resources
“Defining a 21st Century Education”
By Craig D. Jerald for the Center for Public Education

“Framework for 21st Century Learning”
From the Partnership for 21st Century Skills

"Alabama's 21st Century Schools are Blazing Trails through Cyberspace"
Alabama Best Practices Center's "Working Toward Excellence" journal, Summer 2007

"Educating the Digital Generation" (PDF)
Alabama Best Practices Center's "Working Toward Excellence" journal, Spring 2006