Equipping students with effective tools and strategies that help them to think critically and reason logically is essential preparation to meet the challenges of the 21st century.

Students need these skills sets to enable them to compete with their contemporaries, located all over the world, to secure places in higher education and employment.

Concepts of 21st century skills vary but most include critical thinking, problem-solving, creativity, communication, collaboration, information literacy, and life skills. Moreover, self-directed study skills, intellectual curiosity, and independent research skills are also valued highly in employment and higher education courses around the world.

Many people acknowledge the benefits of so called '21st century skills' but are all students getting equal access to them and are they being properly assessed and recognised?

As experts in assessment, we are hosting a debate to evaluate what skills students are currently being taught and whether they are being properly assessed and recognised. It will explore how skills can be incorporated into curricula and properly assessed, as well as addressing the following points:

What is the impact of 21st century skills in international contexts? What's being done in the classroom today? Are the needs of industry and higher education really being met?

Click here to view  Irenka Suto paper