21st Century Learning

Framework for 21st Century LEarning

JCS has developed a vision for the 21st century student. This vision includes skills, knowledge and expertise students should master to succeed in work and life in the 21st century.

21st Century Student Outcomes

The elements described as “21st century student outcomes” are the skills, knowledge and expertise students should master to succeed in work and life in the 21st century. That is, students need to obtain Learning and Innovation Skills (critical thinking, problem solving, creativity and innovation, etc.), Information, Media and Technology Skills, Life and Career Skills (initiative and self-direction, among others), and Core Subjects and 21st Century Themes (global awareness, financial literacy, and so forth).

Core Subjects and 21st Century Themes

Mastery of core subjects and 21st century themes is essential for students in the 21st century. Core subjects include English, reading or language arts, world languages, visual and performing arts, mathematics, economics, science, geography, history, government and civics.

JCS believes our school must move beyond a focus on basic competency in core subjects to promoting a broader understanding of academic content that weaves 21st century interdisciplinary themes into core subjects:

  • Global Awareness
  • Financial, Economic, Business and Entrepreneurial Literacy
  • Civic Literacy
  • Health Literacy
  • Service Learning

Students are prepared for increasingly complex life and work environments in the 21st century with learning and innovation skills that include:

  • Critical Thinking and Problem Solving
  • Communication and Collaboration
  • Creativity and Innovation

Students exhibit a range of functional and critical thinking skills in the technology and media-driven environment of the 21st century such as:

  • Information Literacy
  • Media Literacy
  • ICT (Information, Communications and Technology) Literacy

Students are able to navigate complex life and work environments in the globally competitive information age with life and career skills that include:

  • Flexibility and Adaptability
  • Initiative and Self-Direction
  • Social and Cross-Cultural Skills
  • Productivity and Accountability
  • Leadership, Character and Responsibility

The 21st Century JCS Student

21st Century Learner at JCS

21st Century Support Systems

Developing a comprehensive framework for 21st century learning requires more than identifying specific skills, content knowledge, expertise and literacies. An innovative support system must be created to help students master the multi-dimensional abilities required of them in the 21st century. JCS has identified five critical support systems that lead to student mastery of 21st century skills:

  • Standards
  • Assessment
  • Curriculum and Instruction
  • Professional Development
  • Learning Environments