The skills necessary for 21st employees seem to change all the time. Technology changes very quickly and so do the skills necessary to be a successful employee. Think about it. Every year there is a new iPhone. Every few months it seems that there is a new computer. And every few months it seems that there are new things to learn on our jobs. With all these changes there are skills that teachers, trainers and instructional designers can carry with us, regardless of how quickly technology swiftly moves along.
Soft skills vs hard skills?
The skills necessary for anyone to be successful in life can be divided into two categories: soft or hard skills. Hard skills are specific to job performance and include typing, writing, math, and the ability to use a computer. On the other hand, soft skills the non-technical skills that help an employee keep a job. Soft skills are critical because while one’s education and practical ability may land them an interview, research shows that millions are held back in their careers due to a lack of soft skills.
Soft Skills for Teachers and Trainers
Teachers and trainers have it rough. Often times they need to be the Subject Matter Expert (SME) and teacher, all rolled into one. They have to know how to execute the technical skill and have a handle on how to train others to be just as proficient. So what are the soft skill that are needed to be an effective teacher?
In the article “So You Want to Teach?” Carrie Oakley lays out five soft skills that every teacher should have.
- Communication
- Composure
- Discipline
- Patience
- Time Management
These are skills that are critical to whether a teacher is effective in the classroom. Additionally, these skills are not necessarily fully developed until a teacher has been in the classroom for awhile. However, with practice, these soft skills can be polished and improve.
Soft Skills for Instructional Designers
Instructional Designers need to have a unique skill set. They need to be dependable, problem-solvers who can see the both the big picture and the little details in a project. They need be teachers, psychologists, designers, and sometimes computer programmers. With all that, what are the soft skills that Instructional Designers must have to be successful?
In the article “What Skills Do I need to be an Instructional Designer?” Dr. Gina Anderson lays out the soft skills that are required of Instructional Designers:
- Work Collaboratively
- Build Rapport
- Creativity
- Active Listening
- Effective Speaking
- Leadership
The skills necessary for the 21st century employee will make the difference between getting a job, and keeping a job. Hard skills are easily quantifiable; they are the skills we put on our Resume. However, soft skills are crucial for professional success.
Resources:
So You Want to Teach: http://www.soyouwanttoteach.com/5-classroom-management-skills-every-teacher-must-have/
What skills do I need to be an Instructional Designer?: https://learnwithluma.com/what-skills-do-i-need-to-be-an-instructional-designer/
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