Life Lessons: Ken Robinson
the "eight core competencies" that schools should facilitate for students to succeed in life
according to Ken Robinson
The eight core competencies, all beginning with the letter "C" for memorability, that schools should facilitate for students to succeed in their lives are:
Curiosity:
The ability to ask questions and explore how the world works. This involves encouraging students to investigate and inquire for themselves, posing questions rather than only giving answers, and challenging them to push their thinking deeper.
Critical Thinking:
The ability to analyze information and ideas, reason, evaluate evidence, and make balanced judgments. This is essential for separating fact from opinion, sense from nonsense, and honesty from deception, making it a cultivated habit.
Communication:
The ability to express thoughts and feelings clearly and confidently in a range of media and forms, including fluent reading, writing, and "oralcy" (clear and confident speech).
Collaboration:
The ability to work constructively with others. This involves teamwork, empathy, and developing shared understandings, recognizing that many real-world challenges require collective effort.
Creativity:
The ability to generate new ideas and to put them into practice. This is about imaginative thinking, problem-solving, and developing an innovative spirit, moving beyond simply following rules.
Compassion:
The ability to understand and empathize with others. Cultivating compassion is a moral, practical, and spiritual imperative, addressing issues like bullying, violence, and social exclusion, and promoting tolerance and coexistence.
Composure:
The ability to manage one's inner world. This involves emotional regulation, resilience, and managing stress and anxiety, especially when facing challenges or setbacks.
Citizenship:
The ability to engage responsibly with the world. This encompasses becoming an active and compassionate citizen, understanding diverse cultures, and contributing to a more equitable and civilized society.