The debate on the pros and cons of teaching 21st century skills in the classroom is an interesting one. While I think traditional skills and content are essential to the education process, I do believe it is important to teach 21st century skills in the classroom. It is important for students to understand and compete in the global market. I do agree that students should not only be up-to-date with current skills, but should be provided with the tools to be ahead of the curve.
Within the content area of social studies, it is important for students to understand history, not to know what happened in the past, but to use their understanding of the past to influence and guide their decisions and actions for the future. As the article “When ’21st-Century Schooling’ Just Isn’t Good Enough” states, “the goal isn’t excellence, in other words; it’s victory. Education is first and foremost about being first and foremost.” I disagree with that statement. The purpose of education is to help young people become more prepared to be a productive member of society. Whether 19th, 20th, 21st, or 22nd century skills are used, the goal remains the same. Education by any means necessary.
I concur, the purpose of education is to prepare young people to be productive members of whatever society they will eventually mature into. 21st Century Skills are another tool in the teaching tool box.