What are 21st Century Skills?
21st-century skills are skills and abilities that have been identified as important for success in the 21st-century, particularly compared to previous centuries. They include:
21st-century skills are skills and abilities that have been identified as important for success in the 21st-century, particularly compared to previous centuries. They include:
- Problem solving and critical thinking
- Creativity and innovation
- Communication
- Collaboration and teamwork
- Resourcefulness
- Ability to handle complexity and complex problems
- Flexibility
New Skills Require a New Learning Design
21st-century skills cannot be learned using old instruction methods that were designed to develop skills important in the 19th century. We need to move to active learning in order to learn and practice today’s in-demand skills.
It is madness to think that we can expect a different outcome in skills using the same method of learning that we created 200 years ago that was designed to develop skills appropriate to that period of time. Access to knowledge has changed dramatically, as has work itself.
It is madness to think that we can expect a different outcome in skills using the same method of learning that we created 200 years ago that was designed to develop skills appropriate to that period of time. Access to knowledge has changed dramatically, as has work itself.
Why Passive Learning Will Never Work
Passive learning is individual, does not require collaboration, communication, or solving problems. Information is provided to you, and there the engagement required is low. This is literally the opposite of work in the digital economy, particularly for software engineers, product managers, and digital marketers.
Just like sports, music, surgery, carpentry, and so much more, you don’t learn skills by sitting in a classroom, listening to a lecture, or watching a video. You learn by DOING. You learn through practice, trial and error, by developing more efficient methods for problem solving after getting frustrated over and over again at your inefficient problem-solving. No type of passive learning will develop 21st-century skills.
Just like sports, music, surgery, carpentry, and so much more, you don’t learn skills by sitting in a classroom, listening to a lecture, or watching a video. You learn by DOING. You learn through practice, trial and error, by developing more efficient methods for problem solving after getting frustrated over and over again at your inefficient problem-solving. No type of passive learning will develop 21st-century skills.
Qwasar Student Quote
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21st Century Skills
From the Workplace
We took the workplace and put it inside training programs. In order to reduce the skills gap and to help learners develop 21st-century skills that the workplace demands, we essentially took the workplace and put it inside training programs. Learners practice work they would do in a job before they get employed, meaning we, they, and employers can have confidence that learners are workplace-ready.
We use projects, group work, and role-play combined with a calculated learning growth pathway that enables a learner to grow in their skills. They start with simple, basic projects, then progress to more difficult and complex projects, challenging them enough but not pushing too far beyond their zone of proximal development.
We use projects, group work, and role-play combined with a calculated learning growth pathway that enables a learner to grow in their skills. They start with simple, basic projects, then progress to more difficult and complex projects, challenging them enough but not pushing too far beyond their zone of proximal development.
Selected Research
Below we share selected academic research articles.
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Project Progression and Difficulty
We spend a lot of time analyzing the complexity, difficulty, and cognitive challenge of each project. This ties deeply to learning science and our experience in learning design.
The vast majority of other providers do not understand or apply project-based learning science or cognitive development science to their curricula. At Qwasar, it is the very core of what we do and where we have years of experience.
The vast majority of other providers do not understand or apply project-based learning science or cognitive development science to their curricula. At Qwasar, it is the very core of what we do and where we have years of experience.
How It Works
A New World of Learning
Gamification Elements
Inspired by research into gamification in video games, online community development, and economic studies, Qwasar uses 6 elements of gamification in learning. These elements are designed to work together to both direct and motivate learners.
Economies, levels, and skills help learners to navigate their own learning and their new technical world while simultaneously allowing them to feel and take confidence in how far they have progressed and what they’re capable of doing.
The reward that comes with finishing a project, plus the responsibility of using correction points wisely, encourages learners to take ownership of their learning, submit work with minimal errors, and progress through their tracks.
Economies, levels, and skills help learners to navigate their own learning and their new technical world while simultaneously allowing them to feel and take confidence in how far they have progressed and what they’re capable of doing.
The reward that comes with finishing a project, plus the responsibility of using correction points wisely, encourages learners to take ownership of their learning, submit work with minimal errors, and progress through their tracks.
A PROEJCT
Earn project or experience points for each project successfully completed.
POINTS
To submit a project for review, to be graded, learners spend points.
Each time a learner completes a peer code review for another learner, they earn points. Learners also earn points each day they log on.
Learners can also earn points by helping out other learners in the community, answering questions in our forums.
GAMIFICATION DESIGN MATTERS
Incorrectly designing a gamification system can have negative effects and results on learner motivation and behaviour. The use of these 6 elements is to encourage learning and to motivate the learner.
What is Peer Learning
and How Does It Happen at
and How Does It Happen at
Labs and
group work
studies and
discussions
assignments
small groups
Youtube, and other
online resources
reviews
channels
Peer Learning is Backed by Scientific Research
Below we share selected academic research articles on peer learning.
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Peer Learning and the Learning Community
In giving and receiving peer reviews, students learn how to communicate about their work and how to give and receive feedback. This is important for developing soft skills as well as preparing for the workplace where peer reviews are generally part of tech jobs.
By participating as a reviewer and a reviewee, learners contribute to the overall learning community. Reviewers also receive feedback from reviewees, providing motivation for reviewers in a manner similar to what occurs in the workplace.
By participating as a reviewer and a reviewee, learners contribute to the overall learning community. Reviewers also receive feedback from reviewees, providing motivation for reviewers in a manner similar to what occurs in the workplace.
Peer learning is a method of learning from your peers, in a formal or informal context.
A lot of peer learning happens at work, and in a learning context, peer learning requires structure, rules, facilitation, and monitoring.
Peer learning is often one of the things students enjoy the most.
Peer learning is often one of the things students enjoy the most.
Peer Reviews Are a Learning Tool and Industry Standard
Peer code reviews are an industry standard and part of every engineer or developer’s job. They help maintain high quality, decrease bugs and errors, reduce future tech debt, and more.
Students learn in being reviewed and in reviewing, and are operating at the top four levels of the skills pyramid. Reviewers must evaluate, analyze, think critically, and create ways to break the submitted solution and construct tests.
Students learn in being reviewed and in reviewing, and are operating at the top four levels of the skills pyramid. Reviewers must evaluate, analyze, think critically, and create ways to break the submitted solution and construct tests.
Reviewers must actively participate, engage, and respond. This is different from passive learning such as lectures, presentations, MOOCs, or watching online videos.
remember
understand
apply
remember
understand
apply
understand
apply
analyse
understand
apply
analyse
apply
analyse
evaluate
Create
apply
analyse
evaluate
Create
analyse
evaluate
Create
analyse
evaluate
Create
Create
evaluate
understand
Create
evaluate
understand
evaluate
remember
evaluate
remember
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21st Century Skills
Enter into a new learning universe: what to expect when you join Qwasar programs and the Qwasar learning community.