Page 6 - 21st Century Competencies: Foundation Document for Discussion

4 21st Century Competencies
4. Implications for Practice – A summary of the new learning partnerships and pedagogical and assessment practices that researchers identify as being required to support the development of 21st century competencies.
5. Implications for Policy – An outline of key questions for consideration in determining policy related to the development of the competencies for the Ontario education system.
The overarching questions that have guided the ministry’s investigation of 21st century competencies to date include the following:
• What are the competencies students need to succeed now and in the future? Which competencies have been most widely accepted by international education thought leaders, scholars, labour market experts, and education jurisdictions? Which methods of classifying the competen- cies contribute most to our understanding of teaching and learning?
• What does the research tell us about which competencies are most clearly associated with positive outcomes for individuals in many spheres of life, including educational attainment, transitions to postsecondary education and training, employment, and health and well-being?
• How do other education jurisdictions integrate 21st century competencies into learning? What is the role of curriculum and other policies and programs in supporting the process?
• What pedagogical and assessment approaches are necessary to support teaching and learning of the competencies? How can competencies be assessed, particularly non-cognitive competencies? What alignments can be made between 21st century competencies and the existing learning skills and work habits?
• How can we best prepare educators, leaders, parents, and partners in education for the transformations that may be needed to bring a focus on the competencies into instruction and learning?