Introduction to the 21st century learning design learning path

  • 10 minutes

21st century design professional development helps educators redesign their existing learning activities to build learners’ 21st century skills. It's based on the international Innovative Teaching and Learning (ITL) Research project.

Microsoft is committed to helping educators transform education and prepare learners for life in the modern world. The learning path on 21st century learning design (21CLD) is the result of extensive examination of both learners’ needs and education systems around the world. The 21CLD curriculum builds on ITL research methodology to help educators design enriching learning activities through a collaborative practice-based process. These activities will enable learners to develop the skills they need for life and work in the globally connected world of the 21st century. 

21CLD comprises six dimensions, or skills, which are essential to the development of capable and well-rounded learners. The six 21st century dimensions (or skills) are:  

  • Knowledge construction 
  • Collaboration 
  • Real-world problem solving and innovation 
  • Skilled communication 
  • Self-regulation  
  • Information and communication technology (ICT) for learning 

 Each dimension includes: 

  • Key concepts of the dimension with relatable examples 
  • A rubric to help educators assign codes to a learning activity based on the level of opportunities it provides for developing that skill 
  • A decision tree or flow chart that guides educators in determining the appropriate code of a learning activity 

The core elements of the 21CLD learning path include: 

  • Learning design to develop 21st century skills and increase achievement of curricular goals 
  • Collegial discussion to support understanding of the 21CLD dimensions 
  • Time to use 21CLD in teaching practice 
  • Opportunities to share redesigned learning activities with other educators 

Supporting materials for this learning path are contained in the 21CLD OneNote notebook and include: 

  • Reading materials 
  • ICT tools 
  • Anchor lessons 
  • Learning units developed specially for this course 

Educators who actively engage in all the opportunities provided by this learning path will: 

  • Gain a clear understanding of critical 21st century skills that learners need to live and work in a globalized society 
  • Learn how to design learning opportunities that develop those skills