ABSTRACT
Life in the 21st century involves new challenges and requires developing different skills than were previously required. Today’s students will function in a rapidly changing world and work under conditions of increasing uncertainty and risk. Our world today is characterized by (at least) four major trends: (a) digitalism, that is, the rapid proliferation of ICT and social media and their increasing role in everyday life; (b) a Knowledge Society, or related terms, such as a Knowledge Economy, a knowledge age, and a Learning Society, which highlight the nature of certain societal changes (Välimaa & Hoffman, 2008) in which knowledge is assuming greater importance than ever before (Drucker, 1993), and dynamic epistemology—perceptions of knowledge as evolving, constantly changing—which governs knowledge-related practices; (c) globalism, that is, enjoying the wealth of but also facing the need to compete in a global market; and (d) multi-culturalism, since due to technological and immigration trends, people are exposed to myriad, often conflicting voices and worldviews.
