The Pennsylvania Soft Skills Study | Origin: ED115R
This is a general discussion forum for the following learning topic:
Soft Skills for Instructors --> The Pennsylvania Soft Skills Study
Post what you've learned about this topic and how you intend to apply it. Feel free to post questions and comments too.
The teacher is a role model. What we show will often be more important than what we know. I thought integrity would be #1. If you have integrity then you should be a team player, dependable, have a positive attitude, etc. Since 55% of communication is nonverbal, we need to be aware of our nonverbal cues. We are the starting point to professionalism . We must model what constitutes a good professional.
If the instructor has a good understanding of soft skills then it becomes easy to model them for their students. Teamwork is an important skill to learn since it is a good skill to have in the work environment.
Soft must be practiced by any instructors with their students, colleagues, and administrators to be an overall successful instructor.
Comment on William Mendel's post:
This module has demonstrated the importance of soft skills both in the classroom and workplace. I intend to be more cognizant of the role of soft skills when interacting with both my students and colleagues
Through this module, I have gained valuable insight into the significance of teamwork and its direct impact on workplace dynamics. While effective collaboration is crucial for fostering a productive and supportive environment, I have observed that teamwork among educators is often overlooked. Instances of unprofessional conflicts—such as instructors arguing or engaging in relational aggression—can diminish essential soft skills, including dependability, integrity, empathy, and student service. When teamwork falters, it affects not only interpersonal relationships but also the overall effectiveness of the educational setting.
Recognizing these challenges, I intend to apply my learning by advocating for stronger workplace collaboration built on mutual respect and accountability. One way to improve teamwork is by promoting open and constructive communication among colleagues, ensuring disagreements are resolved professionally rather than escalating into conflict. Encouraging peer mentorship and team-building initiatives can also help strengthen workplace relationships, fostering a culture of trust and cooperation. Additionally, clear role expectations and shared goals can enhance alignment, reducing the potential for manipulation or exploitation within teams.
By consciously applying these principles, I aim to contribute to a more positive and unified work environment, where teamwork is not only valued but actively nurtured. Strengthening these connections will improve both professional interactions and the overall success of educators in supporting student learning.
It is important develop soft skills as a instructor. Developing problem solving skills is very important.
Instructors must acquire soft skills, it is important not just in teaching but in the work place.
Creating a supportive learning environment takes lots of patience. School should foster the students abilities and help them grow into a positive person.
Mostly this section was a review as well as a challenge to have a servant's heart.
Soft skills include having common sense. I was surprised that soft skills had 85% over just having hard skills in the workplace success.
Seems like the Pennsylvania Soft Skills study is just common sense.
What was interesting was the emphasis on common sense. I think that training to develop more "common sense" is needed especially around diversity and accessibility. Those 2 areas are not always intuitive and require intentionality and further training.
The 1997 Pennsylvania Soft Skills Study indeed highlighted the significance of effective work relationships and teamwork. Unfortunately, this crucial skill is often overlooked in educational settings.
Instructors may prioritize technical skills and academic achievement, inadvertently neglecting the development of essential soft skills like teamwork. This oversight can result in graduates entering the workforce without the necessary skills to collaborate effectively with colleagues, manage conflicts, and contribute to a positive team dynamic.
To address this gap, educators can incorporate teamwork-focused activities, projects, and assessments into their curricula. By doing so, instructors can help students develop the essential soft skills required to succeed in today's collaborative work environments.
I have learned that soft skills play a major role in the success of the student.
This just reitterates the importance of working together to have a more satisfied student body
Yes, teamwork is a soft skill that instructors can sometimes neglect, despite its importance in both education and the workplace. The 1997 Pennsylvania Soft Skills Study highlights teamwork as a critical skill, but traditionally, education has placed a stronger emphasis on individual achievement and academic performance. However, the ability to work effectively in teams is crucial not only for workplace success but also for developing interpersonal skills, problem-solving abilities, and emotional intelligence. Therefore, as instructors, we should integrate teamwork into our teaching by using group projects, collaborative learning strategies, and peer evaluations to ensure students develop this essential soft skills.
As an ELT teacher, I've learned the invaluable importance of soft skills in fostering a positive and effective learning environment. Soft skills, such as empathy, patience, active listening, and effective communication, are essential for building rapport with students, understanding their individual needs, and creating a supportive atmosphere.
