Reality: Although technology is important to literacy in the
new century, other dimensions of learning are essential. Studies
of workforce readiness show that employers rate written
and oral communication skills very highly, and collaboration,
work ethic, critical thinking, and leadership all rank higher
than proficiency in information technology. The Partnership
for 21st-Century Skills (http://www.21stcenturyskills.org) advocates
for core academic subjects, learning and innovation
skill, and life and career skills, along with technology skills.
Even a standardized measure like the iSkills Information and
Communication Technology Literacy Test gives significant
attention to organization, evaluation, critical thinking, and
problem solving. 8