Why Modern Learners Need a New Set of Skills

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Gayle Alen writes, "Currently, there seems to be a gap between what our schools and universities teach and the lifelong learning skills students must learn to master on their own."

And yet, the need for students to master lifelong skills has never been greater. Corporate leaders confirm their importance for promotion and advancement, while economists contend these skills hold the key to countering projected job losses due to automation. With all the buzz around the Common Core, MOOCs, and blended learning, it’s time to prioritize skills that prepare students to learn for life.

Photo: EdSurge

With schools like Summit Public Schools and Lindsay Unified making efforts to experiment with new approaches to learning, there’s an opportunity to focus on a new set of skills. I believe these skills can be broken into three categories: Reflection, Research, and Resolving. Grounded in educator Malcolm Knowles’ definition of learning, these 3Rs take students beyond the centuries-old, subject-specific 3Rs of reading, (w)riting, and (a)rithmetic. Armed with them, learners can thrive in a world where learning never ends.
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Related links
3Rs for the Modern Learner
Malcolm Knowles, informal adult education, self-direction and andragogy

Source: EdSurge