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How the 4 Cs prepare students for life after high school

The 4Cs are more than skills taught in school--they'll stick with students throughout their academic, professional, and personal growth

As our world continues to become more connected through technology, today’s students have boundless access to a wealth of information. But, to effectively leverage these resources, students need to be able to make meaning of them.


According to educator Thomas Hoerr, the very notion of intelligence has changed. We no longer rely on the limits of our single mind to access the information resources we need to solve problems. Problem solving has always involved teamwork and cooperation. Today, however, open source programs, wikis, blogs, and other Web 2.0 technologies enable total strangers divided by space and time to collaborate.


Successful problem solving in the 21st century requires us to work effectively and creatively with computers, with vast amounts of information, with ambiguous situations, and with other people from a variety of backgrounds.


Related content: 20 lessons that incorporate the 4Cs


There will always be a growing need for people who can effectively analyze, problem solve, and work constructively with others. All of these actions require four competencies, also known as the 4 Cs: critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, and communication.


In my experience, educators agree the 4 Cs are important, but have expressed concern for effectively putting them into practice. It’s not uncommon to encounter a series of isolated activities offered to students so teachers can check the box of one of the four competencies. The connection to the world beyond classroom walls is often missing.

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