Adaptability and Its Discontents: 21st-Century Skills and the Preparation for an Unpredictable Future

Autor/inn/en	Dishon, Gideon; Gilead, Tal
Titel	Adaptability and Its Discontents: 21st-Century Skills and the Preparation for an Unpredictable Future
Quelle	In: British Journal of Educational Studies, 69 (2021) 4, S.393-413 (21 Seiten)Infoseite zur Zeitschrift PDF als Volltext Verfügbarkeit
Zusatzinformation	ORCID (Dishon, Gideon)
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Zeitschriftenaufsatz
ISSN	0007-1005
DOI	10.1080/00071005.2020.1829545
Schlagwörter	Futures (of Society); 21st Century Skills; Educational Policy; International Organizations; Adjustment (to Environment); International Cooperation; Foreign Countries; Australia; Singapore; United States; Costa Rica; Netherlands; Finland; Europe + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Future; Society; Zukunft; Politics of education; Bildungspolitik; International organisation; International organisations; International organization; Internationale Organisation; Internationale Kooperation; Internationale Zusammenarbeit; Ausland; Australien; Singapur; USA; Niederlande; Finnland; Europa
Abstract	In recent years, the idea that the future is inherently unpredictable has gained considerable currency in educational policymaking. In this paper, we seek to critically examine and analyze the implications that stem from embracing this concept of the future. To do so, we focus on current discussions of 21-century skills, and more specifically on the work of the OECD. First, we offer a brief introduction to the prevailing conceptualization of the future as uncertain and risky, and the ensuing emphasis on the development of skills needed to adapt to this increasingly volatile future. We then explain why the emphasis on future uncertainty leads to conceptualizing education as adaptation, while disregarding the importance of the past. We argue that this results in an impoverished conception of education and the skills it should develop. Next, we focus on how the idea of an unpredictable future marginalizes the role of values in education. We maintain that this not only leads to a narrow vision of education, but also undermines the cultivation of skills heralded by 21st-century skills frameworks. We conclude by offering some remarks on the importance of attention to the past and values as the basis for a meaningful vision of education. (As Provided).
Anmerkungen	Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 530 Walnut Street Suite 850, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Tel: 215-625-8900; Fax: 215-207-0050; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Erfasst von	ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC
Update	2024/1/01