Theory
21st Century Skills
Definition:
The 21st century skills, sometimes referred to as executive functioning or “soft” skills, are those non-academic thinking skills that involve managing oneself and available resources to achieve a goal (Cooper-Kahn & Dietzel, 2008). They are necessary to develop successful work habits, organization, management of time, materials, and project planning as well as mental control and self-regulation. Examples of these are adaptability, time management, impulse control, collaboration, organizational skills, decision making, and project management (Alabama State Department of Education, 2016).
CIE Connection: Chess in Education helps develop 21st Century Skills.
Chess, a highly motivating and potentially competitive game, can be a valuable means to develop many of these, as they are central factors in successful play. Especially of note are the necessity to manage time (playing against the clock or a time limit set by the instructor), to control impulses (withholding a move until the setting and positions of both players have been assessed and considering cause and effect for multiple moves going forward), and to organize materials (pieces on the board).
