Characteristics

• Employability
• Collaboration
• Communication
• Interpersonal Relationships
• Reflective practice

Practical Application

• Regarding Collaboration (Excerpted from P21)
• Emphasis on collaboration remains traditional, reflecting older models of interaction.
• Students learn best from a mix of individual and group-based learning experiences.
• Collaboration can enhance the development of critical thinking skills.
• In a collaborative workgroup, use a variety of technologies to produce a digital presentation or product in a curriculum area.
• Use technology resources for communicating and sharing ideas with others.
• Participate in learning activities with or about learners from other countries and/or cultures.
• Use a variety of technology resources to explore questions or problems.
• Use technology to decide what information to locate and how to use that information to complete a project.
• Collect and explain data to identify commonalities or solutions to problems.
• Explore the different ways that problems may be solved.

Regarding Communication

• Vary the way in which students can show their comprehension of content.
• Model positive and open communication.
• Focus on district speaking and listening rubrics (elementary).

Research

Collaboration is increasingly mentioned as an important educational outcome, and most models of 21st-century education include collaboration as a key skill. The value of collaboration has been assumed for many years, and over the past two decades, we have seen leading businesses and organizations move to facilitate team building and team-based work. The ability to work effectively with others has become a critically important skill for career and life success. (from P21.org)