1 12/4/2017 Vision for the future Teaching – Skills Nexus by Prof. Mohamed Limam CTL lecture Tuesday, October 25 , 2016
2 Content Introduction Teaching-Research NexusTeaching-Entrepreneurship Nexus Teaching-Soft Skills Nexus Teaching-Emotional Intelligence Nexus Teaching- … Nexus How can we do all that? What about DU? CTL Lecture, Tuesday, 25th October, 2016
3 Introduction
4 Introduction Education is what remains after one has forgotten what one has learned in school (Einstein): Really, what remains? Education is what survives when what has been learned has been forgotten? (Skinner). Actually what survives? Education is not the filling of a pail but the lighting of a fire. (W. Butler Yeats). What's filling and what's lighting? Education’s purpose is to replace an empty mind with an open one. (Malcolm Forbes). What's an open mind? CTL Lecture, Tuesday, 25th October, 2016
5 Introduction Here we focus on that relationship or the link between Teaching and different types of skills. Nexus: A relationship or connection between people or things. Since our main task is teaching, we are looking at how that else (…) is embedded in teaching. And Teaching is a complex endeavor. There is not only Teaching-Research nexus, but all other skills could be considered. Skills could be different but what about their teaching strategies? CTL Lecture, Tuesday, 25th October, 2016
6 Teaching-Research NexusIt is the link between Teaching and Research: TRN, or the interplay between T and R. (Criterion 9 of Standard 4: Staff Research and Consultancy, OAAA) There is tacit assumption that R informs T and to a lesser extent T informs R. However, the relationship is not well understood. The empirical evidence for a correlation between R performance and quality teaching is not strong. Are active researchers the most effective teachers? 50 different studies show no correlation. Could be due to the division of both activities at several levels, and imbalance between T and R roles of university academics. TRN is one element in complex and evolving higher education context. It is closely associated with knowledge transfer and community engagement. CTL Lecture, Tuesday, 25th October, 2016
7 Teaching-Research NexusUniv. are expected to prepare graduates to handle the growing knowledge society, teach them how to learn, how to collect and use evidence, ‘research’ in some form Students do report that instructors discuss their research in class, but relatively few get the opportunity to undertake research projects. Views are conflicting, some say University research distracts from the quality of teaching, or Students graduate without seeing the world and taste genuine research, should be for graduate studies 0nly etc.. Actually, various contexts are pointing to the value of research skills of graduates once they are employed. CTL Lecture, Tuesday, 25th October, 2016
8 Teaching-Research NexusHere are some examples of good practice or teaching strategies: Involve students in research projects. More emphasis on bringing inquiry based learning into the learning environment of different undergraduate programs. Include research outcomes in the curriculum. Design learning activities around contemporary research issues. Infuse teaching with the values of researchers. Teach students how to use research tools of the discipline. Build small-scale research activities into undergraduate assignments. CTL Lecture, Tuesday, 25th October, 2016
9 Teaching-Entrepreneurship NexusEntrepreneurs: are individuals who create business venture and are actively involved with the management of that venture. Entrepreneurs: are innovative individuals, risk takers, confident, determined, passionate about their project or business etc… Actually there are traits and competencies related to entrepreneurs that differentiate them from non-entrepreneurs. Then, those traits could be the basis to develop relevant teaching strategies. Embedding entrepreneurial traits and competencies in Teaching. CTL Lecture, Tuesday, 25th October, 2016
10 Teaching-Entrepreneurship NexusMain Entrepreneurial Traits are: Creative and Innovative: Concern for high quality work, attention to details and observance of standards and norms, problem solving, etc… Independent and Self confident: not afraid of risks, rely on one’s capability to manage them Proactive: Initiative, commitment to work contract, looking for business opportunities Systematic planning: using logical step by step approach to reach goals Face Challenges and take Risks: persistence, perseverance, and tolerance for failure. CTL Lecture, Tuesday, 25th October, 2016
11 Teaching-Entrepreneurship NexusTeaching techniques for entrepreneurial traits: For Creative and Innovative: Insist on full participation of all (no passengers), Give more quizzes and assignments, Provide multiple solutions to a single problem, Ask open questions to encourage critical thinking, listen fully to students avoid interrupting, etc… Independent and Self Confident: More group projects, compulsory individual presentations, place emphasis on students’ ideas, verbal encouragement, positive feedback that they can, etc… Proactive: Group and individual assignments, give credit for students’ initiative and creativity, etc… CTL Lecture, Tuesday, 25th October, 2016
12 Teaching-Entrepreneurship NexusPlanning: help students set realistic goals, encourage them to break large task into actionable easy tasks and prioritize tasks, set deadlines for assignments, ask them to evaluate their performance, etc… Face Challenges and take Risks: Emphasize mastery of learning than grades, avoid giving in to students’ pleas for excuses on homework problems, have special interaction with successful students, etc… Conclusion: Effectiveness of T-E Nexus is largely related to the lecturer skills to inculcate those traits CTL Lecture, Tuesday, 25th October, 2016
13 Teaching-Soft Skills NexusSoft Skills refer to the set of skills and behavioral traits that determine how we interact with others. They play an important role in the workplace as well as in one’s career success. They are hard to observe, quantify and measure. Some of the soft skills are: communication skills, critical thinking, problem solving, teamwork capability, negotiating skills, time management, sociability, integrity, etc… Actually, employers put a lot of focus on Soft skills. There is a chasm between what employers expect from recent graduates and what these new hires offer. CTL Lecture, Tuesday, 25th October, 2016
14 Teaching-Soft Skills NexusMost new graduates don’t realize how much leaders value these skills. In most cases graduates are technically savvy, committed, intelligent but employers find them not ready for the job. Then, this TSSN, should be acquired on campus while studying, no catching up later… Currently universities are trying to provide students with the required soft skills to succeed academically and professionally. Courses don’t only focus on helping students’ get deep understanding of the subject but also get some handy soft skills as well. CTL Lecture, Tuesday, 25th October, 2016
15 Teaching-Soft Skills NexusSoft skills that should be learned during university: Teamwork: it should be a big part of university life. Wherever you work you have to get along with a variety of people. A reason we have it on job specifications Presentation: to speak confidently and clearly, dress smartly and answer some important questions. Nervous the first time but doing it will enable student to get familiar. Time Management: prioritizing tasks on a daily basis in a job, similar to prioritizing university tasks and social life setting goals, meeting deadlines for homework and exams. Adaptability: being flexible, not afraid of change, Moving away from home to go to university is one, spending a term abroad makes someone adaptable. Problem Solving: Employers put this skill in the top 10 for new graduates. Project-based learning is empower students to develop creativity and problem solving skills. CTL Lecture, Tuesday, 25th October, 2016
16 Teaching-Emotional Intelligence NexusEmotional Intelligence (EI or EQ): “Why it can matter more than IQ”, Goleman (2005). “Managers are hired for their IQ (intellect and expertise) and fired for a lack of EQ”. Robots are coming and they will have a significant impact on the labor force, and may put many workers out of work. We should teach students skills that robots can’t emulate and may be stop educating them for jobs that won’t exist. Future requires workers to think creatively, work collaboratively, deepen their EI and integrate technology into everything they do. Goleman said EI is a set of skills that can be taught. He outlined methods for incorporating Emotional skills training for students. Even though this is contested by many (genetics vs environment). CTL Lecture, Tuesday, 25th October, 2016
17 Teaching-Emotional Intelligence NexusEI skills are: Know your emotions (Self awareness): One of the hardest things to learn. Through circles of discussion, conflict mediation and making shift or other choice next time. Manage your emotions (Self Management): to regulate one’s emotions. Role playing. Motivate yourself (Self Management: Oneself motivation): the ability to self motivate and have self control. Recognize and understand other people’s emotions (Social awareness, Empathy): showing empathy for others, embracing diversity. Role playing, collaborative work. Manage relationship (Relationship management, Social Skills): Project-based learning teach students how to cooperate with others and solve conflict. CTL Lecture, Tuesday, 25th October, 2016
18 How can we do all that? From all those Nexuses we deduce the following: First, there should be other Nexuses as Innovation, … Skills are different, overlapping, all are important for jobs, but striking similarities of teaching strategies, basically the same - How to get students involved - Carrying out activities and getting feedback - Communication, critical thinking - Teamwork, collaboration, etc… Basically: doing Education is basically what's left after leaving school: Mainly skills. CTL Lecture, Tuesday, 25th October, 2016
19 How can we do all that? Need to focus on the doing part in teaching: learning by doing.CTL Lecture, Tuesday, 25th October, 2016
20 How can we do all that? The learning triangle :CTL Lecture, Tuesday, 25th October, 2016
21 How can we do all that? Today’s generation wants to converse, to share what they learn. They are keen to try new things, often at high speed. To students, university should be fun and interesting, so they should enjoy the delight of discovering things for themselves. The challenge of unprepared students: lack of basic skills: reading, writing (languages) mathematics, … Also, students lack self confidence, appropriate study behavior, etc.. Not only in this region but all over, even in American Colleges and Universities. A changing paradigm for Teaching and learning. Faculty development will require investment and resources. Changing the model of pedagogy for this generation is crucial for the survival of the university. CTL Lecture, Tuesday, 25th October, 2016
22 How can we do all that? Lecturing is no longer appropriate for the digital age and for the new generation of students. The model where the teacher is the broadcaster and the student is the supposedly willing recipient, or the one-way message, is no longer sufficient for modern learners (Tapscott, 2016) It is the responsibility of us all, to provide students with the best education. Later, they will hold us responsible. Jobs require: Writing clearly and forcefully, Systematizing and organizing data, Doing research, Presenting material orally, Taking notes, Meeting deadlines, Working in a team, Getting along with a boss, Multitasking and time management, Seeing a big project through to completion, Creative thinking. CTL Lecture, Tuesday, 25th October, 2016
23 How can we do all that? Lecturing or Passive learning is decidedly of the past, and may be unethical. No added value. Active learning is the key to acquire most of the needed skills and to face all life challenges. Students taught by Active learning methods learn better and reduce the number of failures (by about one third). Less teaching and more learning. Students should do more than just listen. Active learning engages students in two aspects: doing things and thinking about the things they are doing. Sure, meaning more serious work from teachers, more empathy towards students. Actually, what remains from the university’s education: skills acquired CTL Lecture, Tuesday, 25th October, 2016
24 What about DU ? Vision Statement : DU aspires to occupy a recognized position among the institutions of quality higher education. Mission Statement : DU strives to achieve excellence in teaching, research and community service in an open learning environment conducive to creativity and innovation and to the acquisition of cutting-edge professional knowledge. Core Values : 1) Academic excellence 2) Individual responsibility 3) Continuous improvement 4) Active citizenship 5) Life-long learning CTL Lecture, Tuesday, 25th October, 2016
25 What about DU? DU Graduate Attributes:Master theoretical knowledge and practical skills in the student’s chosen discipline commensurate with program level and objectives. Demonstrate capacity for effective communication, critical thinking, creativity and innovation. Exhibit honesty, discipline and accountability. Practice tolerance, humility, respect for differences and commitment to service. Practice life-long learning. CTL Lecture, Tuesday, 25th October, 2016
26 What about DU? What are those concepts: M, V, Core Values and Graduate Attributes? Active learning is the way of equipping DU graduates with our graduate attributes. No one-size fits all approach when it comes to active learning. Emphasize learner-centered Teaching: Urgent need to engage in student centered teaching. Other important topics : Integrating technology into Teaching (University of the future), Extra-cullicar activities, Emphasizing assessment of student learning outcomes; Building interdisciplinary collaborations (research projects) Please tell students: You can do it. If graduates don’t have those skills as if they haven’t had education. CTL Lecture, Tuesday, 25th October, 2016
27 Conclusion through the CTL and with the collaboration of DU students.Education is what remains after one has forgotten what one has learned in school Essentially different types of skills: Teaching- # skills Nexuses Skills are acquired if we use active learning (doing) Given all constraints, lets look for different feasible approaches to implement Active learning . Let’s declare this AY 2016/17: The Year of Teaching and Learning through the CTL and with the collaboration of DU students. CTL Lecture, Tuesday, 25th October, 2016
28 CTL Lecture, Tuesday, 25th October, 2016
29 Actively Yours; Thank you!