ISEDJ

Abstract: In the years leading up to the 21st century, technology began transforming almost every aspect of how we live, learn, and work. From the rise of the Internet to the emergence of artificial intelligence, these changes have reshaped the skills that students need to succeed in today’s digital and interconnected world. This paper explores how the Four Cs of 21st Century Skills (collaboration, communication, critical thinking, creativity) have been incorporated in computing fundamentals courses over the past 25 years. By analyzing national student engagement surveys, evolving standard ACM/AIS/AITP computing curricula, and a widely used introductory computing textbook, this study provides a longitudinal perspective on how computing education has adapted to meet the demands of today’s ever-changing workforce. This paper addresses a gap in literature by providing a longitudinal comparison using these different sources across 25 years, offering insights into how computing education has integrated, and in some cases, overlooked essential 21st Century Skills. It also highlights growing attention to skills such as ethical reasoning, adaptability, empathy, and entrepreneurial thinking, which are increasingly relevant to how students learn, solve problems, and take initiative in technology-assisted learning environments. An analysis of the impact of generative AI on the evolution of 21st Century Skills suggests that the Four Cs remain relevant in the AI era.

Download this article: ISEDJ - V24 N3 Page 48.pdf

Recommended Citation: Frydenberg, M., Mentzer, K., (2026). How 21st Century Skills Have Evolved in the 21st Century and How AI Is Shaping Their Next Evolution. Information Systems Education Journal 24(3) pp 48-61. https://doi.org/10.62273/PEBU6919