21st Century Skills: Learning for Life in Our Times

Modern technology is cyclical and every generation should be poised to invent and reinvent themselves for neo-production and fundamental shifts to introduce new frameworks of learning. Authors Bernie Trilling and Charles Fadel has produced a series of goods for designing 21st century educational prompts aimed at preparing the jet-set, eager wunderkinds and just aboout anybody who aspire to challenge a new order. their new book, 21st Century Skills: Learning For Life in Our Times is touted by them and others to be an innovative learning module for creativity to justify change. This essential resource introduces nine chaptters divided into three parts complete with a wealth of adjunct nuggets augmenting research methodology for thoroughness. The key I’m sure is to map out the expertise needed to survive and thrive in a complex core curriculum of subjects such as reading, writing, and arithmetic—but also emphasizes contemporary themes such as global awareness and financial/economic, health, and environmental literacies. Students in 21st century schools will apply their knowledge to understanding and solving real-world challenges using their 21st century skills and this needed to keep our students on top of new ideals.

Any book focusing on emphasizing the love of learning with a blueprint for direction to create a better and viable world is something that will always be par for the course. I love the premise of this book because it brings critical thinking up front with the objective goals and subjective topics for good operative skills tangent to education, learning and futuristic endeavors. Moreover, I was fascinated on how Trilling and Fadel posed questions apropos to giving readers scenarios to further illustrate points of contention. I considered all of the queries therein which gave me fodder to express in this review why children, astute students and educators should be willing to take risks for better teaching modules. The 21st century skills to be learned in this book covers essentials to prepare the next Einstein, or even ordinary folk for extraordinary goals. Things like critical thinking, information literacy, not how to deal with the media as we know it, but embracing the new digital depth and communications on a level that transcends anything that we have going today. If viable career and life skills are part of this process there has to be a modicum for leadership and responsive ennui for productivity to be accountable to initiate self-direction and flexibility.

I not only applaude the authors but as an educator myself, I adhere to all that has been espoused to teach my present and future students new curricula for a prepared state of awareness. Thank you Bernie Trilling and Charles Fadel for a job well-done. This book is superlative to anything else out in the literary educational resource pool and should enhance bookshelves in homes and schools. As such, I rate it 5 out of 5 stars and recommend that you buy it where books are sold!

VERBATIM!: A Write Package Campbell Style!

http://www.wandabcampbell.net

A Write Package Campbell Style!

What will always amaze me and tickle me with unmitigating gratitude are authors who continue to dig deeper into their imagery for innovative ways to tell a good story. And there are many who fit this scenario. Not only is Wanda B. Campbell one of them, but her passion for the pen gives poignant prowess personified. It's this parallel awareness for the respect for each other that's par for the course we ply, and good color for the canvas we apply our paint. Reading and reviewing her latest effort has not diminished my opinion that the girl can WRITE! So I bring to you with unabashed glee the write package, with no wrong baggage to be a burden to page-turning delight:

Baggage no matter how heavy and how far it’s willing to be carried usually comes with a price and consequences in lieu of the truth. But when that baggage is unbargained and unexpected it sets the stage for author, Wanda B. Campbell to give her reading public yet another story from her imaginative literary mind! The tale this time is entitled, ‘Right Package, Wrong Baggage’. Pamela Roberts, who has great balance despite being a single mother and a devoted Christian wonders if the price is worth the goods she’s been given. In this case, she is put in a precarious position by her well-meaning son in his attempt to play matchmaker -- he thinks he has found the perfect husband for his mother. Time, temerity and turbulence plays a crucial point as the story unfolds. How does Pamela deal with this situation...is the past a picture perfect pardon for a man she hardly knows? The story starts out tediously and builds to an interesting crux when Pamela is put in position to finally make a decision.

Micah Stevenson on the other hand, feels like a man at the casino who has finally hit the jackpot! Excitement is an understated realization when he learns that the son of the woman he has admired for the longest wants him to be part of his family with his mother the prize. This is license for Micah to pursue her and gain her confidence. The one thing that would ruin it would be his past, and Micah knew this...but he feels confident enough that he’s on easy street and it wouldn’t matter. When unselfish needs are prevalent in places above her own, something has to give. Trust and integrity Pamela learns, are hard lessons to overcome when not enough emphasis is placed on caution above pleasing others. Micah shakes the foundation of rules incumbent for any stable relationship to thrive when brokenness is part of judgments fueling prejudices to deny or foment a destined arrival at a common bond for happiness.

The fact that Micah took a chance belies the point of not return once everything is on the table. Against all odds, Micah hopes that Pamela’s fondness for him would deter her from dismissing him. There’s a lot between here and there, and without giving away the story, reasons to read further will captivate and curry favor for both chartacters. Albeit, how will Pamela react to feelings tugging at her heart versus doing the right thing that would align herself with Christian resolve? Moreover, will the man that he was, prevent Pamela from loving Micah for the man he is now, or will become if and when he’s forgiven? Will Pamela have the strength to do what her heart or her mind says she should do?

Although I loved the premise of this book, I felt that it would have been enhanced with a few adjunct characterizations and a subplot for a supporting backstory for more contrast and conflict. There’s always room in Christian fiction for the former and the latter not to overshadow the main thoughts behind the objectivity of what the author wanted to project here; but giving the audience more colors for the canvas would’ve been apropos for hues that would brighten this picture more. However, Ms Campbell’s penchant for telling a good story cannot be ignored for the value that her fans have come to expect. Nonetheless, there’s a message therein and it shouldn’t stop readers from reading a story that will appeal to those that the shoe fits! I rated this book 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it highly!

For more on this dynamic author, check out her website: http://www.wandabcampbell.net