Workshop Topic Detail
Integrating Soft Skills into Curriculum: Building Future-Ready Students
This professional development workshop equips educators with the tools to teach and integrate essential soft skills into higher education curricula. In today’s rapidly changing workforce, students need more than technical knowledge; they must also excel in communication, problem-solving, teamwork, adaptability, emotional intelligence, critical thinking, leadership, active listening, and time management. This interactive session provides strategies to teach these skills in both face-to-face and online classrooms. Through evidence-based approaches, practical activities, and collaborative discussions, participants will explore how to weave soft skills seamlessly into their courses, creating a more engaging and productive learning environment. By the end of the workshop, educators will leave with actionable steps and resources to prepare students for personal and professional success.
By the end of this workshop, participants know or will be able to:
- Understand how to identify and teach essential soft skills in higher education.
- Create lesson plans integrating soft skills such as teamwork, adaptability, and emotional intelligence.
- Apply strategies to assess and measure students' communication, leadership, and critical thinking development.
Plans for Audience Participation and Interaction:
Participants will engage in small group discussions, role-playing scenarios, and case studies to practice integrating soft skills into different types of curriculum. Activities will include peer-to-peer feedback, reflective journaling, and brainstorming sessions where educators collaborate to develop lessons and assignments that foster soft skills. A Q&A session will also allow for shared experiences and insights.
Facilitator(s)
Dr. Nicole Rankine, affectionately known as Dr. Nic, is one of the most engaging personal development coaches around. She is a certified teacher, speaker, and coach with the John Maxwell Team, who founded the COLE Academy of Personal Growth, a training and development company devoted to helping educational leaders and students with the development of soft skills including leadership, personal growth, and communication. Using John Maxwell’s proven leadership development tactics, strategies, and skills, Dr. Rankine provides training for leaders of schools, colleges, and universities. Dr. Rankine has trained leaders throughout the U.S. and internationally in Costa Rica, Kenya, South Africa, and China. She holds a Ph.D. and master’s degree in public health and a master’s degree in biology. She is fun, high energy, and exhibits a passion for helping others reach their full potential.