Terms Used In the Standards Sub-Headings

Skills

Key abilities needed for understanding, learning, thinking, and mastering subjects.

Key question: Does the student have the right proficiencies to explore a topic or subject further?

Dispositions in Action

Ongoing beliefs and attitudes that guide thinking and intellectual behavior that can be measured through actions taken.

Key question: Is the student disposed to higher-level thinking and actively engaged in critical thinking to gain and share knowledge?

Responsibilities

Common behaviors used by independent learners in researching, investigating, and problem solving.

Key question: Is the student aware that the foundational traits for 21st century learning require self-accountability that extends beyond skills and dispositions?

Self-Assesssment Strategies 

Reflections on one's own learning to determine that the skills, dispositions, and responsibilities are effective.

Key question: Can the student recognize personal strengths and weaknesses over time and become a stronger, more independent learner?

The above 21st Century Standards are used with permission (11/19/07) from the American Association of School Librarians. The original document is available: http://www.ala.org/ala/aasl/aaslproftools/learningstandards/AASL_LearningStandards.pdf.