Leading with technology: 21st century skills = 3Rs + 4Cs

There is widespread agreement amongst educators and the general public about the importance of the traditional fundamental building blocks that underpin learning. These skills are often referred to as the 3Rs - reading, writing and arithmetic. However, for success in the 21st century, mastery of the 3Rs is not sufficient in itself. The American Management Association, a leading body that provides services to businesses and government agencies, commissioned the Critical Skills Survey in 2010 and identified that employers want their employees to have more than the basic 3Rs. In fact, for workforce readiness in the 21st century, employers want their employees to have developed skills in the 4Cs, which are: critical thinking and problem solving; effective communication; collaboration and team building; and, creativity and innovation.