how my soft skills globally emerged beverly amer orlando, florida march 17, 2011

How My Soft Skills Globally Emerged

Beverly AmerOrlando, FloridaMarch 17, 2011

Where Are You Today? Teaching “soft skills” Infusing international technology topics Using digital delivery of concepts and lab training Using videos to enhance lessons

Fall 2010 Experiment

What Employers Want:

67% want graduates who understand the global context of situations and decisions

65% want graduates who are aware of global issues and the implications for their future

Source: AAC&U “Raising the Bar: Employers’ Views on College Learning in the Wake of the Economic Downturn”

Global Technology Watch

What Employers Say:

Attributes MOST LACKING in college graduates?o Communication skillo Flexibility/adaptabilityo Initiativeo Problem-solving and analytical skillso Teamwork skillso Strong work ethic

Portfolio Projects for Soft Skills 2e Career Prep – resumes, attire, research Online Brand – Facebook, LinkedIn, blogs,

Twitter, personal website Communication skills – written, verbal, cell

phones, e-mail Team Dynamics – conflict management,

virtual teams Presentation skills – good, bad and ugly

What About Digital Delivery?

Emerge with Computers

How It Worked… Students bought a bundle:

o Portfolio for Soft Skills 2e workbooko Emerge keycodeo Global Technology Watch keycodeo CaseGrader keycode (now SAM Projects)

Cost was 40% LESS than print equivalents

My Class Structure Changed!

What My Students Said:

77% agreed it enhanced their understanding of computer concepts

85% agreed it enhanced their understanding of international issues and technology

More Student Feedback…

76% found the in-class discussions of the topics worthwhile

89% liked all the videos (skills, global issues, CIS topics)

What They Wanted You to Know… GTW was my favorite activity of all we worked on Using GTW helped increase class interactions The topics were actually cool I learned a lot about technology in today’s society and

possible future technologies Much better than using a traditional textbook Great for a visual learner like me If it wasn’t online, I’d never flip a page. This was easy to

study [Soft skills] helped me get the job I wanted

More Information… Learning Center Your Sales Rep Bundling Options

Ask to see:o Portfolio Projects for Soft Skills 2e (due May 25)o Emerge 3.0 (due July 1)o Global Technology Watch (available now!)