In 2007, in his book The Global Achievement Gap, Tony Wagner outlined seven skills that students need to master in order to flourish in the 21st century.
1. Critical thinking and problem solving
2. Collaboration across networks and leading by influence
3. Agility and adaptability
4. Initiative and entrepreneurship
5. Effective oral and written communication
6. Accessing and analysing information
7. Curiosity and imagination
Since then, the economy has collapsed and unemployment has soared. He realised that in such a context, where employment does not exist in the same way anymore, the skills he had outlined were not enough. Arguing that the economy is based on a model that is unsustainable – environmentally, economically or spiritually, he started to look for what more was needed.
And he found the answer it in innovation. Producing more better ideas that respond to more and different problems.
However, he argues, the culture of schooling as we have grown up with is radically at odds with the culture of learning that produces innovators - in 5 essential respects.
1. Celebrating individual achievement – innovation is a team sport
2. Specialisation – subject areas – innovation is inter/ transdisciplinary and about problem based learning
3. Risk aversion and penalising failure – students and teachers discouraged from risk taking. Innovation is about taking risks and learning from mistakes.
4. Passive consumption – innovation is about active creation.
5. Rely on extrinsic rewards for motivation – innovation about intrinsic motivation – making a difference in the world.
Pattern in behaviour of those creating innovation in young people: PLAY TO PASSION TO PURPOSE.
So what does this mean for our work as educators. What can each one of us do?
Above all, we need think about where and how we are encouraging the play, the passion and the purpose in everything we do with young people.
1. Critical thinking and problem solving
2. Collaboration across networks and leading by influence
3. Agility and adaptability
4. Initiative and entrepreneurship
5. Effective oral and written communication
6. Accessing and analysing information
7. Curiosity and imagination
Since then, the economy has collapsed and unemployment has soared. He realised that in such a context, where employment does not exist in the same way anymore, the skills he had outlined were not enough. Arguing that the economy is based on a model that is unsustainable – environmentally, economically or spiritually, he started to look for what more was needed.
And he found the answer it in innovation. Producing more better ideas that respond to more and different problems.
However, he argues, the culture of schooling as we have grown up with is radically at odds with the culture of learning that produces innovators - in 5 essential respects.
1. Celebrating individual achievement – innovation is a team sport
2. Specialisation – subject areas – innovation is inter/ transdisciplinary and about problem based learning
3. Risk aversion and penalising failure – students and teachers discouraged from risk taking. Innovation is about taking risks and learning from mistakes.
4. Passive consumption – innovation is about active creation.
5. Rely on extrinsic rewards for motivation – innovation about intrinsic motivation – making a difference in the world.
Pattern in behaviour of those creating innovation in young people: PLAY TO PASSION TO PURPOSE.
- Exploratory play.
- Find and pursue passion.
- Develop purpose.
- Clear message – give back – make a difference.
So what does this mean for our work as educators. What can each one of us do?
- We have to be innovators. We have to model the values and behaviours of innovation.
- We have to be willing to take risks and make mistakes.
- We have to work more collaboratively with our colleagues
Above all, we need think about where and how we are encouraging the play, the passion and the purpose in everything we do with young people.