21st century skills: Realising the potential of the Australian Curriculum

The Melbourne Declaration on Educational Goals for Young Australians (Melbourne Declaration) (MCEETYA, 2008) proposed that the Australian Curriculum (and state or territory and local curriculum) develop: a solid foundation in knowledge, understanding, skills and values on which further learning and adult life can be built; deep knowledge, understanding, skills and values that will enable advanced learning and an ability to create new ideas and translate them into practical applications; and general capabilities that underpin flexible and analytical thinking, a capacity to work with others and an ability to move across subject disciplines to develop new expertise. The Australian Curriculum, approved by education ministers for implementation, includes general capabilities that comprise knowledge, skills, behaviours and dispositions that students develop and use in their learning across the curriculum. The Australian Curriculum identifies where the general capabilities are addressed through the learning areas and where there are opportunities to add depth and richness to student learning. This session will draw on implementation experience and various national and international reports on 21st-century capabilities to take stock of the opportunities and challenges in delivering the Australian Curriculum. Particular attention will be given to the what, why and how of ensuring that all young Australians are supported to learn these fundamentally important capabilities.