NRC Report from Committee That Included SOE Dean

Education for Life and Work: Developing Transferable Knowledge and Skills in the 21st Century, a new report from the National Research Council (NRC) summarizes scholarly evidence that problem solving, critical thinking, communication and self-discipline can be taught and learned in ways that benefit students both in the classroom and in their future lives.

Edward Silver, dean of the School of Education, served on the Committee on Defining Deeper Learning and 21st Century Skills, which conducted the analysis of existing research.

The report uses scholarly research to address a topic of practical importance to students, educators and employers. It affirms the importance of “deeper learning,” the process of taking what is learned in one subject area or situation and learning how and when to apply that knowledge in other areas.

The NRC study was undertaken to define the proficiency that has become popularly known as “21st century skills.” According to the report, those skills encompass three dimensions: cognitive, which involves thinking and reasoning; intrapersonal, which involves managing behavior and emotions; and interpersonal, which involves expressing ideas and communicating those ideas to others.

The UM-Dearborn Reporter story has more details.