21st Century skills 122. There is increased interest worldwide in what are called 21st century skills and their possible
inclusion in educational systems. The OECD has put out a publication focusing on such skills and
has sponsored a research project entitled The Future of Education and Skills: An OECD 2030 Framework in which some 25 countries are involved in a cross-national study of curriculum
including the incorporation of such skills. The project has as its central focus what the curriculum
might look like in the future, focusing initially on mathematics and physical education.
123. Over the past 15 years or so a number of publications have sought to bring clarity to the
discussion and consideration of 21st century skills. A summary of key reports and their
conceptualisation of 21st century skills is provided in PISA 2021 Mathematics: A Broadened Perspective [EDU/PISA/GB(2017)17]. After careful analysis of these publications the authors
recommended that a strong case can be made for the infusion of specific 21st century skills into
specific disciplines. For example, it will become increasingly important to teach students at school
how to make reasonable arguments with appropriate justification. The arguments they make
should be mathematically rigorous, based on sound theory and strong enough to withstand
criticism
, and yet, whenever possible, avoid referring to authorities (e.g. ‘it says so on the internet’).
This is part of the fundamental competence to make independent judgements and take
responsibility for them (OECD, 2005
[30]
). In the social context it is not enough to be right; one must
be able and ready to present arguments and to defend them. Learning mathematics, with its clarity
of contexts and strong emphasis on logical reasoning and rigour at the appropriate level, is a
perfect opportunity to practice and develop the ability for this kind of argumentation.
124. Similarly, in the modern era, it is critical to equip students with tools that they can use to
defend themselves from lies and inferences that purport to be based on mathematical reasoning.
Quite often some fluency in logical reasoning is sufficient; a lie usually hides some hidden
195
contradiction. The alertness of young minds towards possible contradictions can be developed
most easily in good classes of mathematics.
125. Using the logic of finding the intersection between generic 21st century skills and related but
subject-matter specific skills that are a natural part of the instruction related to that subject matter
results in the following identified eight 21st century skills for inclusion in the PISA 2021 assessment
framework. They are:
Critical thinking
Creativity
Research and inquiry
Self-direction, initiative, and persistence
Information use
Systems thinking
Communication
Reflection