Course Description

This innovative course is designed to equip college educators and administrators with the knowledge and tools necessary to effectively teach and integrate four crucial 21st-century skills: communication, teamwork, critical thinking, and self-motivated learning. These skills are strongly linked to student success and are essential in both academic and professional settings.

Throughout this intermediate-level course, you'll delve deep into the theory, research, and practical applications of these vital skills in both face-to-face and online college courses. You'll explore various skills frameworks, examine critiques of these frameworks, and gain insights into instructional design principles and the science behind each of the four core skills.

What Students Will Learn

• A comprehensive understanding of the limitations of traditional "soft skills" and "career readiness" approaches
• The concept of "cultural scripts" and their importance in skill acquisition
• Key principles of instructional design for emphasizing skills acquisition
• Theories and research evidence supporting the value of the four core skills
• Strategies for effectively teaching these skills in both online and in-person settings
• How to transform curricular artifacts to prominently feature cultural scripts in your discipline

Prerequisites

There are no specific prerequisites for this course. However, it is designed for college educators and administrators, so some experience in higher education would be beneficial.

Course Coverage

• The limitations of current "soft skills" and "career readiness" discourses
• The concept of "cultural scripts" and their role in skill development
• Instructional design principles for skills acquisition
• Theory and research behind communication, teamwork, critical thinking, and self-regulated learning
• Strategies for teaching these skills in online and face-to-face settings
• Methods for integrating cultural scripts into course syllabi and lesson plans
• Techniques for assessing 21st-century skills in various learning environments

Who This Course Is For

• College educators looking to enhance their teaching methods
• Higher education administrators seeking to improve curriculum design
• Instructional designers focused on integrating 21st-century skills into courses
• Anyone involved in higher education who wants to better prepare students for success in the modern world

Real-World Application

The skills and knowledge gained from this course can be applied in numerous ways:

1. Redesigning existing courses to better incorporate 21st-century skills
2. Developing new, skills-focused curricula
3. Improving student engagement and learning outcomes
4. Enhancing students' employability and career readiness
5. Implementing more effective assessment strategies for complex skills
6. Creating more inclusive and equitable learning environments
7. Bridging the gap between academic learning and real-world application

Syllabus Overview

1. Introduction to 21st-century skills and their importance
2. Critiques of traditional soft skills frameworks
3. Understanding cultural scripts in skill development
4. Instructional design principles for skills acquisition
5. Deep dive into communication skills
6. Exploring teamwork and collaboration
7. Developing critical thinking abilities
8. Fostering self-regulated learning
9. Strategies for online skill instruction
10. Assessment methods for 21st-century skills
11. Integrating skills into course design and lesson planning
12. Practical application: Transforming curricular artifacts