"Five Minds of the Future": A 21st Century Learning Connection

The connection between Gardner's "Five Minds" (emboldened below) and the qualities voters indicated they want from our public schools (survey: Public Opinion Strategies and Peter D. Hart Research Strategies) is profound. I have crated domains of these minds and aligned the schooling characteristics voters determined 21st Century Learning in public schools should embrace.

1. "The Disciplined Mind" / How well schools do now**

% of voters prioritizing these learning outcomes*

• Reading Comprehension – 75%* / 10%**
• Computer and technology skills – 71% / 25%
• Written communication – 58% / 5%
• Math (Algebra, Trigonometry., Geometry) – 48% /13%
• Science (Biology, Chemistry, Physics) – 38% /7%

2. "The Synthesizing Mind" / How well schools do now
• Critical thinking and problem solving skills – 69% / 6%
• Team work and collaboration – 57% / 9%
• Oral communication skills – 56% / 6%
• Media literacy – 42% / 6%

3. "The Creating Mind" / How well schools do now
• Leadership – 44% / 6%
• Creativity and innovation – 43% / 5%

4. "The Reflective Mind" / How well schools do now
• Lifelong learning and self-direction – 50% / 5%
• Global awareness – 42% / 6%

5. The Ethical Mind/ How well schools do now

• Ethics and social responsibility – 62% / 5%

* - Percentage of voters who listed this learning skill as priority 9 or 10 on a survey ten point scale
** - Percentage of voters who listed current school effectiveness in teaching this skill as a 9 or 10 on a survey ten point scale

Gardner' Five Minds work (grounded in multiple-intelligence theory) says...

• Individuals without one or more disciplines will not be able to succeed at any demanding workplace and will be restricted to menial tasks.

• Individuals without synthesizing capabilities will be overwhelmed by information and unable to make judicious decisions about personal or professional matters.

• Individuals without creative capacities will be replaced by computers and will drive away those who do have the creative spark.

• Individuals without respect will not be worthy of respect by others and will poison the workplace and the commons.

• Individuals without ethics will yield a world devoid of decent workers and responsible citizens.

Schooling models that embrace Arts-Based Learning and Creativity (http://www.helianthusonline.com/) are more likely to address the Five Minds outcomes than reform measures attempting to repair a permanently disabled education model. A transformational systemic revolution empowering a collective capacity (Michael Fullen) is essential for developing effective learning environments in the 21st century.