Having watched the "Did You Know 2021" video early in the year 2025, it was remarkable how much of what was shared on that video is either obsolete, has already arrived, or made me think "I wonder how big that number would be today?" Breaking down 21st Century Skills into the 4 C's (critical thinking, communication, collaboration, creativity) is a great way to approach and remember this important idea. We are so much more interconnected as a society, both on a small and large scale, that these are absolutely essential skills for all of us to have as we progress toward tomorrow. If, for example, we cannot communicate effectively with a wide range of people in our professions, we will never be as successful as we could (should) be. Also, with disinformation being so much more prevalent in our culture it is essential that we develop critical thinking skills so students can learn to sift through and find what is true, correct, and just.
