Book Review: A 21st Century Education

Yuval Noah Harari wrote an important book.

His 21 Lessons for the 21st Century is a worthwhile read for anyone looking for sound direction in this age of voluminous digital media outlets and infinite information leads. We are already one fourth the way through the 21st century, and from what I can tell, we are still thinking in 20th century paradigms.

The pandemic, and the closing of schools nation wide, may prove to be the event that causes the state of affairs in public education to finally shift from our cherished factory model to something more effective and democratic. Harari, in his chapter on education, poses some direction in the light of our society's inevitable destiny with a machine-based economy supported by artificial intelligence.

"Many pedagogical experts argue that schools should switch to teaching 'the four Cs' - critical thinking, communication, collaboration and creativity. More broadly, they believe, schools should downplay technical skills and emphasize general purpose skills. Most important will be the ability to deal with change, learn new things, and preserve your mental balance in unfamiliar situations." Doesn't that sound like a wonderful curriculum for all students - no matter what your learning ability, or disability?

21 Lessons is a future-looking book covering topics in science, brain-based research, history and meditation. My experience with public school educators tells me that serious reading, outside the demands of the curriculum or continuing education obligations, is not widely embraced. Nevertheless, I believe that each (secondary) school teacher should have it as required reading for their professional development. The chapters (lessons) on work, liberty and education alone are worth the gamble that this book will inspire educators to routinely exercise their best efforts.

(Darren Palmer is a retired public school educator from Atlantic County, NJ and an entrepreneur. Darren has been involved or affiliated with many community based organizations and culturally focused activities. He currently owns L'Ouverture Books found online at louverturebooks.com)

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