The world today is a global village. With the growth of technology comes the need for old skills to be developed in new ways. Among the 21st Century skills, two skills stand out as being essential to survival.

Creativity

Thinking of new ways to do something is what we all do on a daily basis. Whether it is creating something new or approaching something in a way that is original, creativity is evident in the lives of each and every individual. Creativity, ingenuity, innovation – these are all words that are key to today’s evolving global economy. Therefore, in order to prepare the future generation for work and life in the 21st Century, educators must cultivate creativity in students.

However, this is not easily achieved when students are lost in the struggle to provide the “right” answer.

Creativity makes possible art, music, invention, storytelling, and problem-solving.

Collaboration

Students need to play well with others as they may have different ideas but they also have to work alongside one another. The ability to share ideas and thoughts alongside with another and to come up with a combined topic, response or answer to a particular issue, to combine different notions, beliefs and theories into one concrete solution will reflect the diversity of the group itself. Co-operative learning is the key aspect to collaboration. Educators need to foster this skill in students to work towards a desired goal. We are surrounded by thousands of people with different perspectives and standpoints. So what happens when you are placed in a position with someone with opposing viewpoints? The situation can get tenuous. But if the person knows how to deal with the situation and has the ability to collaborate, join forces and pull resources together, the person has an easier time integrating, understanding the other person’s position and therefore allowing both individuals to voice their opinions and openly work together towards a common goal.

These skills assist in establishing the foundation for other skills, such as, communication, time management, problem-solving, resource allocation and many more. The benefits are endless.