1. Why is a company like Intel engaged in advancing 21st century skills?
Our driving force all along was the knowledge that the workplace has changed dramatically in recent years and companies now seek a different kind of employee than they did 40 years ago. Ensuring learners are equipped with 21st century skills - like collaboration, self-directedness, problem solving, social responsibility - is absolutely critical but is often the biggest deficit in potential hires’ profiles. We started out with a mutual sense of urgency in the need establish 21st century learning programmes and as importantly, the understanding that and solving the problem was far bigger than any one government, corporation or organisation could tackle alone.
2) Why is the ATC21S launch important for the future of classrooms and the workplace?
The launch represents a milestone in creating common standards, assessments and terminologies in 21st century skills around the world. By reforming the education and assessment process, companies and governments are able to help drive innovation and provide the basis for a highly qualified workforce for the future.
3) For you, what were the top highlights of the launch day?
I’m incredibly proud that Intel was able to help bring ATC21S to our stakeholders. We finally have an integrated system of assessment and teaching of 21st Century skills, which is purely accessible online. This is just the beginning of a longer journey.
We’ve also enjoyed a great deal of support from our partners. From executive directors, lead academics and practitioners, to governments and other companies. Everybody was present to show their long-term commitment to this system and show public-private-partnerships working together.
4) What are your aspirations for this programme in terms of results?
As I mentioned, the launch is just the start of a long journey. From here, we’re going to focus on:
· Rolling out pilot studies in 6 countries including, Australia, Costa Rica, Finland, the Netherlands, Singapore, and USA. From there, we will be able to assess how the programme can be utilised and tailored to local needs
· Collaborating with curriculum designers, school administrators, and government officials to formally include 21st century learning and assessments within their school systems
· Expanding the curriculum from assessment and teaching of two complex 21st century skills to include additional areas of the curriculum
5) Why is a multi-stakeholder engagement important to improve education?
When we decided to form this ambitious research project three and a half years ago, reaching the point where we’d actually launch a programme seemed a lofty goal. The initiative would not have been possible without the core strengths, expertise and resources from global companies, universities, national governments and intergovernmental organisations and the launch is testament to the perseverance and belief of a great many people.