Rethinking extra credit: How gamification can reduce grade inflation and strengthen soft skills

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 5070
Author(s):  
Katie Welch

Gamification, the use of game-based principles to promote learning (Kapp 2012), allows instructors a pathway through which they can maintain curricular rigor while simultaneously fostering strong work habits and soft skill development. In this paper I describe my own experience of gamifying an online linguistics undergraduate course as I sought to combat engagement challenges such as spotty attendance and assignment procrastination. By implementing a gamified bonus level in the course, I was able to reimagine the traditional notion of extra credit in a way that incentivized self-regulation and engagement without creating a high amount of grade inflation in the process. Unlike traditional extra credit which advantages high-performing students, the bonus level sought to provide equity to the lower-performing students at a regional university with a predominant first-generation population.

2016 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 171-175 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christina Liebrecht ◽  
Susan Montenery

Effective communication and interaction enable nurses to develop caring, empathetic, and respectful relationships with patients and families. However, most nurses feel a lack of preparation in the “soft” skills of communication, professionalism, and leadership. Nurse managers are seeking graduates with strong emotional quotient characteristics such as self-awareness, motivation, self-regulation, empathy, and social skills. Assisting nursing students to develop these intangible, high-level skills presents an ongoing challenge to nurse educators. This creative teaching learning strategy examines the use of psychosocial role-playing skits to enhance nursing student development of the soft skills of nursing. In this strategy, senior level nursing students work in small groups to develop and present realistic 3- to 5-minute skits based on common nurse–patient, nurse–family, or nurse–health care team interactions that incorporate the concepts of therapeutic communication, interpersonal interaction, empathy, active listening, teamwork, delegation, and/or professionalism, followed by a debriefing session. Student feedback suggests that confidence and competence related to the skills of therapeutic communication, interpersonal interaction, empathy, active listening, teamwork, delegation, and professionalism may improve by incorporating soft skill psychosocial role-playing into a nursing education course of study.


PARADIGMA ◽  
2020 ◽  
pp. 812-836
Author(s):  
Verónica Díaz Quezada ◽  
Cecilia Sanhueza Cartes

El propósito de esta investigación, es mostrar la elaboración y validación por contenido en base al juicio de expertos en el tema, de un instrumento evaluativo basado en competencias blandas o transversales que permitan monitorear la adquisición de estas habilidades en educadores de párvulos, las cuales son consideradas en la actualidad por la literatura tanto nacional como internacional, imprescindibles en su formación, por su complementación con las llamadas competencias duras o genéricas. Un buen educador no solo debe reunir requisitos de tipo intelectual, sino también sociales, emocionales y personales, lo que en el ámbito educativo tiene como consecuencia cambios de dirección y orientación hacia competencias más afectivas. En el caso del alumnado de edades más pequeñas, como son los de Educacion Parvularia o Primera Infancia, los futuros docentes tendrán un papel crucial en el desarrollo de estas habilidades blandas o transversales, como por ejemplo, en la autorregulación cognitiva y emocional. Además, esas competencias sociales y emocionales que se activen a esas edades tan tempranas, jugaran un papel fundamental en el posterior desarrollo del infante.Palabras clave: Competencias Blandas. Educación Parvularia. Instrumento Evaluativo. Educación Superior.Desenvolvimento a Validação de um Instrumento de Avaliação para Monitorar a Aquisição de Soft Skills em Estudantes de GraduaçãoResumoO objetivo desta pesquisa é mostrar a elaboração e validação por conteúdo com base na opinião de especialistas no assunto, de um instrumento de avaliação baseado em competências transversais ou flexíveis que permitam monitorar a aquisição dessas habilidades em educadores de infância, atualmente consideradas pela literatura nacional e internacional, essenciais em sua formação, para complementação com as chamadas habilidades duras ou genéricas.Um bom professor deve não apenas atender aos requisitos intelectuais, mas também sociais, emocionais e pessoais, o que no campo educacional resulta em mudanças de direção e orientação para habilidades mais afetivas. No caso de estudantes de idades menores, como os de Educação Infantil ou Primeira Infância, futuros professores terão um papel crucial no desenvolvimento dessas habilidades suaves ou transversais como, por exemplo, na auto-regulação cognitiva e emocional. Além disso, as competências sociais e emocionais ativadas nessas idades iniciais terão um papel fundamental no desenvolvimento subsequente desenvolvimento infantil.Palavras-chave: Soft Competencies. Educação Infantil. Instrumento Avaliativo. Educação Superior.Elaboration and Validation of an evaluation instrument to monitor the acquisition of soft skills in undergraduate studentsAbstractThe purpose of this research is to show the elaboration, and validation by content based on the judgment of experts in the topic of an evaluative instrument based on soft skill or transversal competences that allow monitoring the acquisition of the abilities in nursery education, which are currently considered by both national and international literature, essential for the complementation with the so-called hard or generic skills. A good teacher must not only meet intellectual, but also social, emotional and personal requirements, what in the educational field has as a consequence changes of direction and orientation towards more affective competences. In the case of students of smaller ages, such as those of nursery education o early childhood, future teachers will have a crucial role in the development of these soft or transversal skills, such as cognitive and emotional self-regulation. In addition, those social and emotional skills that are activated at these early ages, it will play a fundamental role in the further development of the infant.Keywords: Soft Skills. Nursery Education. Evaluation Instrumen. Higher Education.


PARADIGMA ◽  
2020 ◽  
pp. 812-836
Author(s):  
Verónica Díaz Quezada ◽  
Cecilia Sanhueza Cartes

El propósito de esta investigación, es mostrar la elaboración y validación por contenido en base al juicio de expertos en el tema, de un instrumento evaluativo basado en competencias blandas o transversales que permitan monitorear la adquisición de estas habilidades en educadores de párvulos, las cuales son consideradas en la actualidad por la literatura tanto nacional como internacional, imprescindibles en su formación, por su complementación con las llamadas competencias duras o genéricas. Un buen educador no solo debe reunir requisitos de tipo intelectual, sino también sociales, emocionales y personales, lo que en el ámbito educativo tiene como consecuencia cambios de dirección y orientación hacia competencias más afectivas. En el caso del alumnado de edades más pequeñas, como son los de Educacion Parvularia o Primera Infancia, los futuros docentes tendrán un papel crucial en el desarrollo de estas habilidades blandas o transversales, como por ejemplo, en la autorregulación cognitiva y emocional. Además, esas competencias sociales y emocionales que se activen a esas edades tan tempranas, jugaran un papel fundamental en el posterior desarrollo del infante.Palabras clave: Competencias Blandas. Educación Parvularia. Instrumento Evaluativo. Educación Superior.Desenvolvimento a Validação de um Instrumento de Avaliação para Monitorar a Aquisição de Soft Skills em Estudantes de GraduaçãoResumoO objetivo desta pesquisa é mostrar a elaboração e validação por conteúdo com base na opinião de especialistas no assunto, de um instrumento de avaliação baseado em competências transversais ou flexíveis que permitam monitorar a aquisição dessas habilidades em educadores de infância, atualmente consideradas pela literatura nacional e internacional, essenciais em sua formação, para complementação com as chamadas habilidades duras ou genéricas.Um bom professor deve não apenas atender aos requisitos intelectuais, mas também sociais, emocionais e pessoais, o que no campo educacional resulta em mudanças de direção e orientação para habilidades mais afetivas. No caso de estudantes de idades menores, como os de Educação Infantil ou Primeira Infância, futuros professores terão um papel crucial no desenvolvimento dessas habilidades suaves ou transversais como, por exemplo, na auto-regulação cognitiva e emocional. Além disso, as competências sociais e emocionais ativadas nessas idades iniciais terão um papel fundamental no desenvolvimento subsequente desenvolvimento infantil.Palavras-chave: Soft Competencies. Educação Infantil. Instrumento Avaliativo. Educação Superior.Elaboration and Validation of an evaluation instrument to monitor the acquisition of soft skills in undergraduate studentsAbstractThe purpose of this research is to show the elaboration, and validation by content based on the judgment of experts in the topic of an evaluative instrument based on soft skill or transversal competences that allow monitoring the acquisition of the abilities in nursery education, which are currently considered by both national and international literature, essential for the complementation with the so-called hard or generic skills. A good teacher must not only meet intellectual, but also social, emotional and personal requirements, what in the educational field has as a consequence changes of direction and orientation towards more affective competences. In the case of students of smaller ages, such as those of nursery education o early childhood, future teachers will have a crucial role in the development of these soft or transversal skills, such as cognitive and emotional self-regulation. In addition, those social and emotional skills that are activated at these early ages, it will play a fundamental role in the further development of the infant.Keywords: Soft Skills. Nursery Education. Evaluation Instrumen. Higher Education.


Author(s):  
Hilman Syarif

Introduction: Student Centered Learning (SCL) is an effective method to develop student's soft skills and hard skills which are very important to support their successful carrier later. This research was conducted to identify the differences of developed soft skills between students who learn with PBL method and lecturing method. Methods: Descriptive comparative method was used in this study. The samples consisted of 15 students who learned with PBL method and 15 students who learned with lecturing method. The sample for this research was selected by random sampling method. Results: The result showed that the average of student's soft skills score in PBL method was 122.63, while student's soft skills score in lecturing method was 116.27. Discussion & Conclusion: There was significant difference of student's soft skills in PBL method and lecturing method (p value = 0.038; α = 0.05). This study recommends nursing program management, faculty of medicine at the University of Syiah Kuala keeps PBL method running and develops other methods which facilitate hard skills and soft skills are development. Keywords: nursing students, soft skill, PBL


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Timothy Oluwafemi Ayodele ◽  
Oluseyi Joshua Adegoke ◽  
Kahilu Kajimo-Shakantu ◽  
Olaitan Olaoye

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to evaluate the soft skill gap of graduate employees, as well as the factors influencing the skill gaps of real estate graduates in the employment of real estate firms in Nigeria.Design/methodology/approachPrimary data were employed for the study. Close-ended questionnaire served on real estate employers in the two major property markets of Nigeria: Lagos and Abuja. From a total of 343 questionnaires administered, 172 (59.7%) questionnaires were retrieved. While data from the graduate employees were obtained via a web-based survey sent out to a total of 558 graduates, 119 (21.33%) responses were received. Descriptive and inferential statistical techniques were employed in the data analysis.FindingsThe findings showed that employers had high expectations for soft skillsets relating to responsibility, administrative, listening and communication skills. These have respective mean scores of 6.38, 6.33, 6.31 and 6.31 on a seven point scale. However, the results revealed significant skill gaps with skills such as logical thinking, business negotiation, responsibility and marketing. Further, the analysis revealed that factors influencing the skill gap, in decreasing order of influence, are training/professional mentors/remuneration, personal preferences/industry characteristics and curriculum/faculties.Practical implicationsReal estate graduate soft skills are investigated to uncover areas of emphasis and skill gaps. These outcomes could serve as important feedbacks for stakeholders towards improving real estate teaching and curriculum. The findings could also assist real estate graduates to know employers areas of emphasis in relation to graduate employability skills.Originality/valueExtant studies have reiterated and evaluated the soft skills gaps based on the perceptions of employers, faculties and institutions of higher learning. However, there is the need to investigate the perception of graduate employees, being the recipient and major stakeholders in the training process.


2011 ◽  
Vol 12 (6) ◽  
pp. 475-478
Author(s):  
Nadeem Husain ◽  
Vikas Bendgude ◽  
Piyush Tandon ◽  
Bhushan Arun Jawale ◽  
Nilima Thosar

ABSTRACT Soft skills adoption is a learning experience for every practitioner and every academician. Author has expressed his opinion for success through educational and real values of soft skill. Soft skills behavior of individual and institution help in achieving desirable goals in general and specialty practices. Author also focused on some realistic soft skill methods for improvisation of practices for all doctor. Conclusion These skills indulge positive energy in human relationship for working in symbiosis and explore infinite capabilities at institutional and doctoral level. Here, some optimistic suggestions are given for improving dental practices and academic fulfillments. Clinical significance These soft skills help to organize, plan and manage, and track changes during the course of the growing dental practices. However, understanding of the soft skills in practice management, its simplicity and complexity and also, its contributing factors, helps practitioners to understand the dynamic, social and complex contexts of practices. It is really helpful to all practitioners to grow their practices using soft skills. How to cite this article Jawale BA, Bendgude V, Husain N, Thosar N, Tandon P. Soft Skill Appraisal for Dentistry: A Tool for Positive Practice Management. J Contemp Dent Pract 2011;12(6):475-478.


2018 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 247-259 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nida’a K. AbuJbara ◽  
Jody A. Worley

Purpose This paper aims to highlight the importance of soft skills for leadership and offers recommendations for soft skill development training for the next generation of leaders. Design/methodology/approach An integrated review of current research literature was conducted on management, leadership and soft skills to develop recommendations for integrating the development of soft skills in leadership development training protocol. Findings A one-size-fits-all approach does not work for soft skills development or measurement. Each soft skill is defined differently and should be assessed based on different behavioral actions. Progress in this area of measurement development will make a great impact on the use of soft skills. The development of assessment tools for the different soft skills across professional disciplines is assumed to enhance other aspects of transformational leadership such as coaching and mentoring. Research limitations/implications Current strategies for the assessment and measurement of soft skills present an obstacle for including these skills in current leadership training models. Practical implications The paper includes implications for the development of soft skills for the next generation of leaders and offers recommendations for integrating the development of soft skills in leadership training programs. Originality/value This paper fulfills an identified need to study how soft skills can be measured and assessed. This is important given that specific skills vary across professional disciplines and organizational contexts.


2017 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 19
Author(s):  
Dingot Hamonangan Ismail

<p>Pendidikan Indonesia masih bertahan dan terjebak dengan gaya <em>hard skill</em>. Padahal nyaris setiap hari, iklan lowongan pekerjaan di media cetak maupun di internet  menggunakan kriteria-kriteria <em>soft skill</em> untuk merekrut pegawainya.  Realitas  inilah yang menjadikan pendidikan di Indonesia semakin memprihatinkan. Pengangguran terdidik membludak, padahal dunia industri kesulitan mencari pekerja “siap pakai” karena yang tersedia hanya para pencari kerja yang hanya siap bekerja saja. Tujuan penelitian ini untuk melihat Proses pembelajaran <em>soft skills</em> di Politeknik LP3I Jakarta. Penelitian ini dilaksanakan dengan menggunakan metode penelitian Studi Lapangan  (<em>Field Research</em>). Teknik    pengumpulan datanya, melalui observasi dan Studi Pustaka. Hasilnya menunjukkan bahwa konsep pendidikan <em>soft skills</em> di Politeknik LP3I Jakarta cukup bagus. Sayang dalam pelaksanaannya masih perlu dibenahi agar terjadi transformasi (penularan) <em>soft skill</em> bukan hanya pengajaran<em>.</em></p><p>Kata kunci: <em>Soft skills</em>, Dunia Industri, Politeknik LP3I Jakarta, Pelatihan, Kepribadian, <em>Emosional Quetions</em></p>


2017 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 186
Author(s):  
Thi Thu Hang Truong ◽  
Ronald S. Laura ◽  
Kylie Shaw

<p class="BodyA"><em>Our central objective in this paper is twofold: first, to examine the scholarly literature on the technological importance of soft skills in Business, and second, to review the major research studies on the views of employers and the industries they serve regarding the specific character and combination sets of key soft skills best suited for business professionals located in four distinct and economically vibrant major business regions of the world. The key findings have been distilled from the literature and analysed to identify patterns of congruence, with the aim of cataloguing reasonably discrete combinatory sets of soft skills ideally suited to the specific business priorities which characterise these four different regions. The concluding section of the paper will consider the extent to which these distinct skill sets can be pedagogically developed in such a way that they become deeply embedded as foundational in the creation of an international business school curriculum, featuring five discrete sets of soft skills, each of which is ideally constructed for one of the four different regions.</em><em></em></p>


2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 151
Author(s):  
Syaharuddin Syaharuddin ◽  
Habib Ratu Perwira Negara ◽  
Malik Ibrahim ◽  
Vera Mandailina ◽  
Dewi Pramita ◽  
...  

ABSTRAKTujuan dilaksanakan kegiatan ini yakni untuk meningkatkan soft skill mahasiswa dalam (1) menentukan topik penelitian yang akan diajukan sebagi tugas akhir (skripsi), (2) mempermudah mahasiswa dalam menelusuri hasil penelitian relevan yang mendukung penelitiannya, (3) menghindari kegiatan plagiasi selama penyusunan hasil penelitian, dan (4) memudahkan mahasiswa dalam menulis rujukan dan menyusun daftar pustaka. Kegiatan ini diikuti sebanyak 80 mahasiswa semester akhir. Workshop merupakan metode yang ideal dilakukan oleh tim abdimas sehingga berjalan dengan lancar. Pada tahap akhir, peserta mengisi angket Skala Likert dengan 4 option untuk mengukur pemahaman dan kemampuan mahasiswa selama workshop berlangsung. Hasil angket menunjukkan sebanyak 91,27% mahasiswa sudah paham terhadap strategi penyusunan dan menyelesiakan tugas akhir, sedangkan sisanya sebesar 8,73% belum paham pada bagian menentukan uji statistik yang digunakan untuk menjawab hipotesis penelitian. Kata kunci: soft skill mahasiswa; referensi berbasis digital; penyusunan skripsi. ABSTRACTThe purpose of this activity is to improve student soft skills in (1) determining research topics to be submitted as a final project (thesis), (2) making it easier for students to trace relevant research results that support their research, (3) avoiding plagiarism activities during the preparation of results research, and (4) make it easier for students to write references and compile bibliography. This activity was attended by 80 final semester students. The workshop is an ideal method carried out by the Abdimas team so that it runs smoothly. In the final stage, participants filled out a Likert Scale questionnaire with four options to measure students' understanding and ability during the workshop. The results of the questionnaire showed as much as 91.27% of students had understood the strategy of preparing and completing the final project, while the remaining 8.73% did not understand the part of determining the statistical test used to answer the research hypothesis. Keywords: student soft skills; digital based reference; thesis compilation.


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