Exploring the 5 C’s of 21st Century Learning
“I spend a good part of my time sharing with families what originally drew me to Powhatan,” says Mrs. Scarborough, Head of School. “I especially share perspectives on our campus learning environment and reflecting upon teaching the skills and values the twenty-first century will require and value. The framework for what I see is wrapped around 21st Century Skills, what are often referred to as the 5 C,s.”
Technology and project based learning have changed how teachers are thinking about instruction and assessment in today’s classrooms. The essential components of an excellent education today embody much more than the traditional three R’s. Past President of NAIS, Pat Bassett, identifies Five C’s – critical thinking, creativity, communication, collaboration and character, as the skills that will be in demand and will be rewarded in this century. “I am a huge fan of his Five C’s and see them constantly across campus.”
The Five C’s
Critical thinking
Creativity
Communication
Collaboration
Character
So what do the Five C’s look like in our classrooms? Here are just a few examples:
Critical Thinking:
Critical thinking and problem-solving are often cited by our parents as some of the most important skills we teach. The resiliency that that comes along with sticking with a challenge, along with having a growth mindset, allows students to approach learning in a positive way. The self-confidence that is gained by problem-solving and collaborating with classmates is critical in the development of children. The fifth grade ‘Escape Room’ activity is a great example of how we foster critical thinking:
Creativity:
There is plenty of creativity across campus. From numerous cross-curricular efforts to the weekly immersion in the arts through performance and visual/graphic arts, Powhatan students are constantly creating:
Communication:
Public speaking is often referred to as the top skill that lays a foundation for success. Chapel Talks are a capstone to the eighth grade year and showcase our student’s ability to conquer public speaking:
Collaboration
The Lower School Science & Innovation Lab is a perfect setting for collaborative work:
Character
A centerpiece of the retreat is the Full Value Contract. Almost immediately upon arrival at camp the students begin to work on how they will make the most out of the experience. Students work in small groups with their faculty advisor to create written guidelines taking personal responsibility for how they will contribute to and make the most positive impact on the retreat. It reinforces expectations of good character, behavior norms and positive interactions at school. As Retreat comes to a close students are reminded that the Full Value Contract is not just for Retreat, but is a contract for the rest of the school year.
Powhatan’s teachers have embraced the Five C’s when developing curriculum and thinking about their daily teaching. When I go into classrooms, I see students solving problems and collaborating in small groups, teachers asking questions that inspire critical thinking and writing, and lessons designed to reinforce essential academic skills. Without question, they are modeling our pillars and guiding our students to make ethical decisions about their interactions with each other. The Five C’s are thriving at Powhatan and blend in beautifully with our time-tested motto to “learn for life”.
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FAQs
A core element of SCSD's Strategic Plan is a focus on the skills and conceptual tools that are critical for 21st Century learners, including the 5Cs: Critical Thinking & Problem Solving, Communication, Collaboration, Citizenship (global and local) and Creativity & Innovation.
What are the 5 C's of stem education? ›
When we talk about how great STEAM education is, we consider how it is a unique and perfect blend of a learning system that promotes Communication, Creativity, Critical Thinking, Collaboration, and Character Development.
What is the 5c method of teaching? ›
Instead of teaching the same lesson plan to an entire class, educators should focus on the 5 Cs—collaboration, communication, creativity, and critical and computational thinking—to foster greater learning.
What are the 4c's essential skills of 21 st century learning? ›
To develop successful members of the global society, education must be based on a framework of the Four C's: communication, collaboration, critical thinking and creative thinking.
What are the 5 C's of effective learning? ›
That's why we've identified the Five C's of Critical Thinking, Creativity, Communication, Collaboration and Leadership, and Character to serve as the backbone of a Highland education.
What are the five C's in school? ›
A Modern Way Of Learning
The Five C's include critical thinking, creative thinking, communication, collaboration, and citizenship skills. Through application of these concepts across academic disciplines, students will be equipped with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed post-graduation.
What is the 5C approach? ›
5C Analysis is a marketing framework to analyze the environment in which a company operates. It can provide insight into the key drivers of success, as well as the risk exposure to various environmental factors. The 5Cs are Company, Collaborators, Customers, Competitors, and Context.
Why are teaching strategies promoting the 5C's effective for 21st Century learners? ›
Having your students use critical thinking, collaboration, creativity, and communication will lead to them developing a sense of confidence. This is because they will learn that they can do hard things and they will take pride in their work because of the effort they put in to what they created.
What is the key element of the 5 C's? ›
When you apply for a business loan, consider the 5 Cs that lenders look for: Capacity, Capital, Collateral, Conditions and Character. The most important is capacity, which is your ability to repay the loan.
What are the 5 C's of transition? ›
How to go about a career transition? The first step is a mindset shift that allows for a change in scope . This shift entails strengthening the attributes encapsulated in the 5 Cs for success in career transitions: Competence, Confidence, Communication, Compass, and Commitment.
Theoretical Foundations. The findings of Atkin and Karplus directly informed the creation of the 5E Model, which focuses on allowing students to understand a concept over time through a series of established steps, or phases. These phases include Engage, Explore, Explain, Elaborate, and Evaluate.
What is the 21st century learning model? ›
The Framework for 21st Century Learning
This popular framework was designed by the Partnership for 21st Century Skills (P21). Describing the skills, knowledge, and expertise students must master to succeed in work and life, the framework combines content knowledge, specific skills, expertise, and literacies.
What are the 4 C's of 21st century teacher? ›
The 4 C's to 21st century skills are just what the title indicates. Students need these specific skills to fully participate in today's global community: Communication, Collaboration, Critical Thinking and Creativity.
What is the framework for 21st century learning? ›
The P21 Framework for 21st Century Learning was developed with input from educators, education experts, and business leaders to define and illustrate the skills, knowledge, expertise, and support systems that students need to succeed in work, life, and citizenship.
What are the 6 C's of education for the 21st century? ›
The 6 C's—communication, collaboration, critical thinking, creativity, citizenship and character—were designed to equip children with the critical tools they need to succeed in a rapidly changing world.
What are the 7 C's of 21st century learning? ›
The seven skills are: • Collaboration • Communication • Creativity • Critical Thinking • Character • Citizenship • Computational Thinking If we believe our work as teachers is mainly to prepare students for successful futures, then we should give opportunities for students to strengthen these skills.
“I spend a good part of my time sharing with families what originally drew me to Powhatan,” says Mrs. Scarborough, Head of School. “I especially share perspectives on our campus learning environment and reflecting upon teaching the skills and values the twenty-first century will require and value. The framework for what I see is wrapped around 21st Century Skills, what are often referred to as the 5 C,s.”
