As one NCSC Faculty member going through a distance course development famously put it when we got to "Community": '
"Why in the world do *I* need to waste time worrying about that touchy-feely crap?!"...

dammit jim.jpg

The Problem Prt 1: Increased Demands of Industry & Society

NC State's Advisory Committees, made up of area employers, are very satisfied with the TECHNICAL knowledge of NCSC Graduates. However they consistently cite a need for improved "Soft skills" -- collaboration/ teamwork, adaptability/ critical thinking etc. President Diab has made it an institutional priority to intentionally embed and improve soft skills development throughout NCSC coursework.

This is not a new phenomenon though... From the Bok Report to Deresiewicz to Arum & Roska (and on and on) to many other researchers, the media, industry leaders and politicians -- higher ed has gotten raked over the coals from at least the 1990s on for failing to produce 21st century professionals. The chorus of industry and business leaders, researchers cite specific shortcomings in college graduates entering the workforce:

"...more 'customers' of higher education are questioning the value of a college/university education.. Americans have less confidence that colleges and universities are preparing students well and providing good value."
-EduCause

"When it comes to succeeding on the job, initiative, flexibility and teamwork belong right up there with reading , writing and math. By pushing the 'hard' skills alone, many of today’s schools continue to educate... for an economy that no longer exits."
"Teaching the New Basic Skills"

"The number one reason people lose their first real job is not a lack of technical skills, it is because they can’t get along with other people."
-UK National Job Service

"Communication skills and working in a team were listed as abilities that were missing in newly graduated students."
-National Alliance of Business

The Problem Part 2: Faculty Identified Issues

But let's set that aside, as that is out there beyond our ivory tower, and we can dig in behind our walls and simply offer reasoned rebuttals to why they just don't understand education.

Let's focus on common faculty-identified issues we are struggling with in our classrooms:

Lack of Professionalism (Attitude, Preparation, Communication Etc.)

'Culture of Entitlement'

Lack of Resiliency

To repeat a theme here, these are issues that while we will not be able to control these issues coming into our classrooms (online or off), we can plan for and be proactive to address them. The most efficient bang for the buck area to focus our time is to build in and address these in the instructional design.

The Solution...

So what then are the handholds are areas of focus in our design that can pin down and get after these skill gaps? By intent and design building an environment that supports "grit", supportive community and collaboration:

"Multiple studies document increased student retention and persistence, as well as increased student learning and achievement."
-"The Case for Learning Communities"
http://tinyurl.com/caseforlc
"...Learning is enhanced when it is more like a team effort that a solo race. Good learning, like good work, is collaborative and social, not competitive and isolated. Working with others often increases involvement in learning. Sharing one's own ideas and responding to others' reactions sharpens thinking and deepens understanding."
-Chickering & Gamson, 7 Best Practices
"...creating opportunities to engage and develop a much richer set of skills is critical. Today, this includes exploring the potential of 'noncognitive' factors—attributes, dispositions, social skills, attitudes, and intrapersonal resources, independent of intellectual ability—that high-achieving individuals draw upon to succeed."
-US Dept. of Ed.,