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Throughout your professional and personal life, you have picked up habits, abilities, and skills that make you the employee you are today. These are called transferable skills.

They are the skills that allow an eager, younger graduate to land their first "real job." Or an experienced people manager to make a radical career change. Or a parent who has been out of the workforce for months or years to return successfully.

What Are Transferable Skills?

In the simplest terms, transferable skills allow you to succeed in your role, whatever it may be, as they are skills that are needed independent of the job function. In addition, they allow individuals to step into roles, industries, or departments for which they may not otherwise have an exhaustive list of requirements.

Transferable skills increase through experience, time, and development opportunities, such as training, one-to-one coaching, and mentoring. By time and work experience, we mean that you have been building these skills since you took your first job at a local fast-food restaurant or volunteered as a camp counselor, and you will continue to hone them for the rest of your life.

Transferable skills Examples

Looking at as many studies and articles as we did while writing this blog, you will find commonalities among the lists. As such, here is a list of transferable skills that appeared more than once, and for a good reason.

Adaptability and resilience

In the wake of COVID-19, any resembling feeling of security or predictability is pretty much gone. We don't know what will happen tomorrow, let alone six months or six years from now. In the face of this, employees today who are adaptable and resilient are the ones who will keep businesses moving forward even in the face of uncertainty.

Critical Thinking

Critical thinking skills in the workplace mean using all credible sources of information available to understand a situation or problem and ultimately make an informed decision or judgment. As you can imagine, this is a transferable skill that pays off to have in employees at all levels as it drives innovation, productivity, and often competitiveness in the market.

Initiative

An employee who takes initiative can assess a situation, problem, or project and initiate action before they ever need to be told to do so. But, of course, initiative should be taken within reason and with regard to established boundaries.

Resourcefulness

A resourceful employee who can find a way to achieve a goal with their time, staff, technology, or budget is valuable to any organization or department.

Creativity and Innovation

Creativity and innovation are not just skills reserved for graphic designers or product developers. A creative and innovative employee looks at a problem and can see a solution others may not have, which is transferable throughout one's career.

Leadership

Anyone can show leadership. No title is required. Those with leadership skills take charge of situations, easily convey their vision and direction, coach team members, and keep an eye on the big picture to ensure professional goals are achieved. Leadership is a transferable skill that any organization will highly value, regardless of the job you hold.

Emotional Intelligence

Emotional intelligence combines the ability to identify, harness, and manage emotions. To demonstrate emotional intelligence, related skills such as empathy, self-awareness, and influence, are essential for those in roles managing people.

Communication

Communication skills always have been and always will be one of the top transferable skills. But with more people working from home than ever and in teams, the flow of information is imperative to keep businesses moving. Therefore, a good communicator will speak with clarity regardless of whether they are on Zoom or face-to-face.

Teamwork and COllaboration

According to multiple Deloitte studies, organizations have identified the benefits of team-centric and network-based organizational models and are working to adapt them for themselves. As this way of working becomes even more prevalent, team-focused and collaborative individuals will be highly valued.

Why Are Transferable Skills IMportant?

Transferable skills are universally essential. They contribute to your success and the success of a team, customer, or organization. In addition, they allow you to take control over your career path and ease the stress experienced in transitional times, such as a promotion or career change.

In a way, these are skills that never "go out of style." Instead, they will follow and support your success professionally, so long as you invest and put intentional effort into honing them. Transferable skills are developed by enrolling in a training program related to a specific skill, tapping into a professional coach, or participating in any development opportunities your organization offers.

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What Are Transferable Skills and Why Are They Important?

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Throughout your professional and personal life, you have picked up habits, abilities, and skills that make you the employee you are today. These are called transferable skills. They are the skills that allow an eager, younger graduate to land their first "real job." Or an experienced people manager to make a radical career change.

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If you think that it is time for a job switch, you might understand that changing careers comes with difficulties; but, you can absolutely overcome these hurdles by being prepared for them.

In this article, we tackle the top five obstacles people usually face when they make a job change â€" and tips on how to face them.

Inevitably, change comes with challenges

If you feel scared or overwhelmed by the thought of a job switch, know that you are not alone. In fact, according to SEEK research, 39% of people feel nervous, 34% feel uncertain, and 25% feel overwhelmed when thinking about work changes.

Expect to encounter several hurdles as you take on a job switch. Right now, Singapore sees a more competitive job market as digitalisation welcomes global talents. But then again, change has never been easy â€" regardless of a pandemic.

With all the threats that come with change, people have become naturally wired to resist it. But according to Talent Leader Cameron Norton, there are still simple ways you can manage these challenges for the better.

Challenge 1: Lack of time

"Most of us spend at least 38 hours a week working, and this has a big impact on our overall health and wellbeing," Norton says. Because of your heavy schedules at work, you might feel overwhelmed by the mere idea of having to work on preparing for a job switch.

According to Norton, the key to finding time to prepare for a career change is taking it slowly but consistently. "If you're not happy in your job, you need to make time to determine your next option because your performance will slide as your engagement and satisfaction drops."

Start transitioning by updating your JobStreet profile , so that relevant employers can reach you. Once you are done updating your profile, you can even add the #WorkNow hashtag to alert hirers of your immediate availability.

Challenge 2: Financial constraints

Undeniably, changing careers will shake up your financial security â€" this is why it is important to be aptly prepared. Norton recommends creating a "transition fund" before leaping into the unknown.

What is a transition fund, exactly? "This is a savings account that you contribute to each time you are paid," Norton says. "It may only be $50 or $100 per pay, but the key is to make some contribution and let the money accumulate."

To overcome your hesitation to save up for this, Norton suggests automating this fund. This way, you will not have to think about it every time. "The purpose of this fund is to give you choices when it comes time to make a move," he says. "Having money at hand will give you breathing space and time to think as opposed to rushing into something new because you need the money."

Challenge 3: Internal uncertainty

No matter where you are at your career, job switches can be intimidating. So, it is only natural if you are unsure of where to start.

If you are feeling overwhelmed, begin with centring yourself. Take the time to evaluate and assess yourself and your goals: What do you want from your career? Where do you excel, and what do you enjoy? These are some reflective questions you can ask yourself before thinking of your next step.

Also, it is worth knowing that you do not have to do this all by yourself. "There are amazing transition consultants who can help you determine what you want, help shape up your career story and give advice on interview techniques," Norton says.

If you feel lost, it is best to consult professionals that will help you with your job change. "The best athletes in the world engage coaches and a support team to help them achieve success. It's no different with your career," Norton adds.

Challenge 4: External distrust

A mid-career switch is typically a bold move to make; you might hear several people doubting your decision. "Most people will advise you against making a change as it often upsets their status quo," Norton says.

To overcome this hurdle, Norton suggests that you weigh the opinions of others before listening to them. "At the end of the day, I ask people, â€˜would you go to this person for advice normally?' If the answer is no, why would you listen to their opinion about your career and your future?"

Instead of listening to the doubts of others, turn towards people who you trust and respect. According to SEEK, people who opened up to peers, colleagues, or other loved ones were more confident in facing change.

Challenge 5: Difficult conversations

In dealing with a job change, you might have to think about other people. Your family, partner, employer, and colleagues may, perhaps, be directly affected by this decision. If this is the case, difficult conversations about change will be necessary.

As COVID-19 has pushed many Singaporeans to go digital, remember that you have to deal with difficult conversations with whatever means are available. You can keep in mind the following strategies that are efficient for both offline and online conversations.

Start with having a conversation with yourself: Why are you changing careers? Why is it important that you let them know? Once you have these covered, you will have a clearer perspective as you reveal the decision to others.

Keep the right timing in mind, as well. Avoid breaking the news when one party is tired or busy. You can set an appointment with them so that you are both mentally prepared for the difficult conversation.

Without a doubt, changing careers is never something to be taken lightly. But as you go through all the challenges of change, remember to enjoy the process as well! Take in the excitement that comes with this mid-career switch, too â€" this is not something you will always have.

As you take the leap of changing careers, remember to overcome each challenge step by step. Eventually, you will find yourself making the change that you want. After all, you deserve to exercise your passion and purpose in your professional life. Search for #JobsThatMatter on JobStreet . For more expert advice on overcoming career hurdles, visit the Career Resources Hub .

A s a steadfast partner to employers and candidates, JobStreet has launched the campaign #TogetherAhead, with a specially set up COVID-19 Jobs and Resources Hub to offer guidance to both businesses and individuals through this crucial time.

#TogetherAhead, we rise above our challenges.
About SEEK Asia SEEK Asia, a combination of two leading brands JobStreet.com and jobsDB.com, is the leading job portal and Asia's preferred destination for candidates and hirers. SEEK Asia's presence span across 7 countries namely Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Philippines and Vietnam. SEEK Asia is part of the Australian Securities Exchanged-listed SEEK Limited Company, the world's largest job portal by market capitalization. SEEK Asia attracts over 400 million visits a year. About SEEK Limited SEEK is a diverse group of companies, comprised of a strong portfolio of online employment, educational, commercial and volunteer businesses. SEEK has a global presence (including Australia, New Zealand, China, Hong Kong, South-East Asia, Brazil and Mexico), with exposure to over 2.9 billion people and approximately 27 per cent of global GDP. SEEK makes a positive contribution to people's lives on a global scale. SEEK is listed on the Australian Securities Exchange, where it is a top 100 company and has been listed in the Top 20 Most Innovative Companies by Forbes.

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Changing Careers: 5 Challenges and Their Solutions - SG

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If you think that it is time for a job switch, you might understand that changing careers comes with difficulties; but, you can absolutely overcome these hurdles by being prepared for them. In this article, we tackle the top five obstacles people usually face when they make a job change â€" and tips on how to face them.

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Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

In the middle of my sophomore year of college, I had a life-altering epiphany: I had spent the majority of my life thus far pursuing a career as a performer. And after some college training and a significant production experience, I realized that I needed to change career paths.

What I had envisioned myself doing was different from the professional I was becoming.

Anyone who has gone through a sharp 90-degree turn can attest to how jarring it can be. My sense of reality was shaken. The ground seemed to have been taken out from underneath me. I struggled to find a place to put my feet.

It didn't matter that the switch was my choice. Change is difficult and intimidating, especially in my case since I was essentially starting all over again. I was going to set aside all the knowledge and experience I'd acquired to pursue a career that I knew far less about and only imagined might be a better fit.

Grappling with a desire to change career paths, although not uncommon, can be overwhelming, especially if it means leaving the stability of a current job and training. Here are a few tips for overcoming the change-induced anxiety:
Related: What I Learned From Being a Broke, Unemployed Graduate
1. Do research.

Educate yourself about the new industry you're interested in. Read job descriptions and qualification requirements. But don't become discouraged by them. This is simply information gathering. Follow posts by industry magazines and journals on Twitter. Grab a few books from the library.

I spent a lot of time on LinkedIn searching for people who held positions at companies I was interested in. I sent a lot of messages to people I didn't know, asking them to tell me about their jobs and career paths: What steps had they taken? Some people didn't answer, while others were extremely helpful.

The trick to successfully using LinkedIn is to refrain from asking people for connections all the time and instead request knowledge. Do you have friends currently working in a desired industry? Talk to them. Perhaps they can help you gain a foothold.
Related: When It Comes to Finding Your Path. Don't Overthink. Do.
2. Remember, experience is a great teacher.

I have gained incredible knowledge along the way from participating in experiences. Yes you should try to prepare yourself first. And while it's true that individuals possess different learning styles, experience is the best teacher.

Through internships and jobs, I learned industry details and tips for success that I couldn't have found in a textbook. I also learned difficult lessons from certain mistakes that I won't make twice.

If you keep yourself on the ledge as you try to gather information, you might remain afraid to jump. "It's a terrible thing, I think, in life to wait until you're ready," actor Hugh Laurie has said. "There is almost no such thing as ready. There is only now. And you may as well do it now."

If you have the courage to jump, you'll find the courage to learn to swim along the way.

3. Keep in mind that a switch doesn't mean a mess-up.

I had to process a lot of emotions and thoughts when I changed career paths. I had to keep telling myself, I am not indecisive, I am not a flake and I didn't mess up.

I also was overly concerned with how people would perceive me for having changed my mind. Would they think I had failed at my first career? Would they peg me as someone who quickly jumps ship or lacks commitment?

Here's what I realized: Without having gone through various experiences, I might have never figured out where I really should be.

I believe every step people take is purposeful and serves to teach them something. Without choosing to major in performance, I would not have selected the school I chose, worked with the people I did, produced a benefit concert and then realized that I'm better suited for a career behind the scenes in the entertainment industry.

One thing has led to another, and each part of my career has been influenced and enhanced by the last. Don't waste energy worrying about the impact of a career change on your image: Channel the energy into your work and let the results speak for themselves.

People regard failure as a dirty stain -- something that decreases their net worth and wears away at their value. Stop regarding failure as a four-letter word. Some of the best opportunities for growth lie in a seemingly "failed" situation.

Don't be afraid of making mistakes as you transition into a new field. In every failure lies an opportunity, the chance to better yourself or turn in a different direction. Let mistakes and "failures" change you for the better. Don't be discouraged by your trials. Learn from these situations and apply the lessons learned as you move forward.

4. Know that nothing is permanent.

Just because you're deciding to leave one field (or position) to try another doesn't mean you will never return to that profession or have that job again. It also doesn't mean you can't change your mind again and try yet another field or experience.

Take a shot. The worst-case scenario is that you will miss but you won't know until you try. You'll regret it if you don't take a chance. If you decide in a year that your new career path is not right, you will find a way to stay afloat. In America's results-oriented society, people often forget the beauty and necessity of the process.
Related: 5 Thoughts That Crush Success
Entrepreneur Editors' Picks

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Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own. In the middle of my sophomore year of college, I had a life-altering epiphany: I had spent the majority of my life thus far pursuing a career as a performer. And after some college training and a significant production experience, I realized that I needed to change career paths.

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Different age groups need to learn and practice different aspects of communication. Presented here are a number of games and activities that can be modified to suit different content areas and classes.

Toddlers to Kindergarten
Guess the Object
Show and Tell
Feelings Corner
Turn Taking
Picture Telling
Finish the Nursery Rhyme

Elementary
Telephone
Emotional Charades
Audio Book Interaction
Role Playing
Follow All Instructions Activity

Middle/High School
Famous Pairs
The Best Parts of Our School
The Enigmatic Self
Stand up for Fillers
Find it Together

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Our world is in a communication crisis.

Kids spend astounding amounts of time on their electronic devices and with this shift, they are losing their skills in how to communicate their needs-with their own voices.

Picture the kids you know having no access to wi-fi. There might be a revolt when you start to ask them to communicate with you without a phone or device.

With the availability of alternative sources of social support (Leung, 2007), reaching kids in a one-to-one setting is difficult. The skill of self-expression in real life and face-to-face interaction has far-reaching implications.

Improving communication skills in children of all ages today could benefit generations to come, salvaging the power of verbal communication in a world buzzing with technological alternatives.

Before you continue, we thought you might like to download our three Positive Communication Exercises (PDF) for free. These science-based tools will help you and those you work with build better social skills and better connect with others.

What are Communication Activities, Exercises, and Games?

Certain activities, exercises, and games can teach children to communicate better. In most settings, adults decide the communication style and social norms. The rules of etiquette are also decided by adults.

These days, it is revolutionary to teach communication skills in "kid terms" with room to advance the skills as children develop. Imagine a world where every adult practiced their face-to-face communication.

The following are effective communication fundamentals (Stanfield, 2017):

1. Empathy;

2. Conversation skills;

3. Established listening and speaking procedures;

4. Respectful vocabulary;

5. The power of the pause;

6. Practice speaking and listening in natural settings;

7. Introspection;

8. Turn-taking.

Any activities, exercises, and games that include these fundamentals can improve skills in communication. Interactive games encourage kids to express their needs. Plus, when kids see these activities as fun and engaging, the more likely they are to participate.

The Importance of Teaching Kids Communication Skills

There are profound psychological implications for underdeveloped communication skills. Conversely, more effective communication skills result in a higher quality of life.

Communicating well enables people to know and ask for what they need, and can result in higher self-efficacy (Nørgaard, Ammentorp, Ohm Kyvik, & Kofoed, 2012). With higher self-efficacy, there are lower instances of violence (Khoury-Kassabri, 2012), bullying (Clark & Bussey, 2020), and self-destructive behaviors (Forman & Kalafat, 1998).

Research with people who are hearing impaired revealed the impact on feelings of loneliness and depression (Knutson & Lansing, 1990). Now, the same effect is showing for children who are not severely hearing impaired.

When there is difficulty in basic communication, there is a barrier to a fundamental human need, thus resulting in emotional and psychological problems. We are hard-wired to connect and belong with other humans (Ryan & Deci, 2000).

For example, when a toddler cannot communicate their needs, a tantrum might follow. When a pre-teen child cannot effectively communicate, frustration might ensue. When a teenager cannot effectively communicate, a perfect storm might occur. And when adults cannot understand and state their needs, lives can fall apart.

Everyone benefits from practicing good communication. Right now, children are in desperate need of effectively communicating with their peers and with adults.

Good communication is a habit, and it needs to start young.

Effective communication skills equip children with the ability to have their needs met. As children age, their skills need to increase as difficult situations occur. In school and social settings, a child's peers play a significant role in how these skills develop.

Communication Skills in Children. Image by Bessi from Pixabay.

Any parent of a teen is aware of how these skills are a part of a teenager-parent relationship. Modeling appropriate communication skills is a great way to show children (and teenagers) how people use kind communication to get "what they want."

Basic communication skills are needed for basic survival. Something as basic as eye contact can be difficult to maintain for many children, even though it is the most critical part of nonverbal communication (Zeki, 2009). Looking people in the eye is a skill. It takes practice to understand the importance of eye contact for the development of good manners and social connection.

So how do we begin teaching kids communication skills? Every setting offers learning opportunities. When children know how to listen and respond, they also develop deeper understandings of empathy and compassion.

When kids communicate well, they are more likely to recognize and pursue opportunities with confidence and self-efficacy (Nørgaard et al., 2012).

You can practice life-changing skills starting with these simple exercises below.

5 Tips on How to Teach Communication Skills to Children

Every day, if you work with kids or have them yourself, you model how to ask for what you need. Even simple moments where you ask a coworker for a pencil can be goldmines of modeling.

Here are five specific tips.

1. Be a Model

The old adage, " Do as I say, not as I do " rears its head once again. Kids are more likely to do "as you do" regardless of what you say. Parents who model good communication have children who are-shocker-better at communicating with others.

It is important to note that sometimes, difficulty in communication may have underlying factors such as the presence of autism, attention disorders, or auditory disability.

2. Create a Framework for Communication Procedures

Teaching children how and when to communicate is a foundational skill. Chronic interrupting and volume control are disruptions to communication everywhere, not just for children. Set boundaries for kids to know when it is appropriate to interject with their opinion. Positively reinforce kids or students who follow the known expectations.

Regardless of the framework specifics, teach kids how to get your attention-without inappropriate disruption.

3. Don't Embarrass Children by Correcting Them in Public

Shame is powerful, and can negatively influence a desire to learn for anyone. Kids will make mistakes in their communication, as do adults. That two-year-old who called a stranger "fat" needs to understand why that is inappropriate, but they do not need to be corrected in front of everyone.

Gently correcting errors in private is a basic principle of positive discipline, and it helps promote a growth mindset where children feel safe. If a child is embarrassed in public, they will make fewer communication attempts in the future, or worse, continue the act for attention.

4. Teach Empathy

Empathy is an important topic for children in every aspect of life. The ability to see someone else's point of view creates space for mutual understanding and concern for the pain of others. An empathic listener is a skilled listener. It is crucial to value and praise the students who show care for other's feelings, as this promotes a culture of empathy.

5. Show the Power of the Pause

The power of mindful communication is very important. Kids are especially unskilled with controlling their impulsive behavior, as are many adults. Simply teaching kids to think about the impact of their words and any other decision-making overall, can help kids reflect before they act.

It is equally important to value the pauses between statements and encourage a culture of pausing to also create space for others to speak who may need more processing time.

How to Spot Communication Difficulties in All Ages

Spotting difficulties in communication is important. Infants as young as 0-7 months who don't babble might show signs of communication difficulties. Early intervention can help with cognitive and social growth.

Apprehension in oral communication also can lead to difficulties in psychological well-being (McCrosky, 1977). There is an increasing rate of anxiety with regard to communication skills in children. A child suffering from Communication Apprehension will even avoid situations where oral communication is needed, just to avoid the pain and anxiety associated with that communication.

A great deal of research has been done in the development of emotional intelligence and its relationship to effective communication skills (Irvin & Richardson, 2002). Higher test scores exist in individuals with higher reported rates of emotional intelligence, this adds value to the need for improving skills as early as possible. Development of social and communication skills is important for kids, especially those entering Middle School.

While these present as difficulties, they are not in most cases complete barriers to effective communication. Altering skills to fit the obstacle in effective communication is paramount to a child's success.

Infants and Communication Skills. Image by Lisa Runnels from Pixaby.

This is not to downplay the importance that a spectrum disorder, an attention disorder, or an auditory difficulty may play in communication in children. Children with these obstacles may find more difficulty with social communication than their peers due to their struggle with effective communication.

Current research is trying to link other obstacles children may have with these developmental differences.

Here are some concrete ways to spot difficulties in communication:

Immature language;

Speech that is difficult to understand;

Struggling to talk and or listen in conversation;

Avoidance of verbal communication.

6 Games and Exercises for Toddlers and Preschoolers in Kindergarten

Most of these games do not take long, and the skills they teach are foundational to future lessons.

1. Guess the Object

This is a fun game for kids to practice the power of description. Cut a hole in a box that is large enough for their hands. Make sure that they understand that they're not allowed to peak into the hole. Place an object in the box. Have the child describe what the object feels like. Have the class take turns guessing what it might be.

2. Show and Tell

Many kids love to share at this age. Devoting time for children to share things is an encouraging way for them to hone their communication skills. Encourage classmates to think of questions about what their classmate has shared, as a way to develop active listening skills.

3. Feelings Corner

Many times, children at this age have trouble communicating how they are feeling. Emotions can be so abstract; they may not yet have the skills to recognize them at first. Have a designated area for kids to express these feelings, where a printout of an emotions wheel is on display. Have matching emojis that the child can silently hand to their teacher.

Create space during the day for the teacher to address these feelings with any participants. This creates a place for trust and understanding in an age group prone to outbursts when feeling misunderstood or wronged.

4. Turn-Taking

Taking turns in speaking is much like sharing a favored toy, and children need to learn the skill. An engaging exercise for this age group is color circle time. Each child gets a turn in the center of the circle speaking about a chosen subject.

For instance, the color yellow. The child would get 15 seconds to list all of the yellows he or she sees in the room. Then that child names another color for the next child in the center. Before the next turn, each new participant says two things that they heard from the previous sharer.

5. Picture-Telling

Have a variety of pictures for each child. Give each a time limit and let them describe what they see in story form. During this exercise, they are processing visual cues and utilizing their ability to speak them to the classroom. The other children practice their listening skills.

6. Finish-the-Nursery-Rhyme Story

Children need to be familiar with the particular nursery rhymes for this activity to be fun. Help kids imagine and express alternative endings to nursery rhymes in a fun and creative way. Have each kid add to the shared ending and as a class, develop alternative endings to various nursery rhyme stories.

Storytelling is a rich way to practice listening and communication.

A Look at Communication in the Classroom

Classrooms are not for the faint of heart. Teachers deserve the credit for establishing the parameters for their students to learn basic communication. What a teacher tolerates and encourages from their students is one way that children absorb communication habits.

Kids are clever. They know what they can "get away with," and they look to adult figures for examples of how to speak and act. Thus, classroom parameters are paramount, especially when students get to "make the rules" too. Adults always make the rules, but when students help with the process, they are likely to exhibit more buy-in.

Criticism and judgment from classmates should be avoided in classroom culture as much as possible. These issues must be addressed, while also recognizing students practicing clear and kind communication.

The language and tone used in classrooms are important. Teachers who berate and shame kids may speak of frustration with unhappy and critical students.

Kids are smart-they respond to respect.

As the leader in the classroom, teachers are in a position to influence positive language and tone. Congruent communication is one way for teachers to demonstrate skills in the classroom (Brown, 2005). The role of active listening and body language among adolescents can help create an atmosphere of trust and mutual understanding between teacher and students.

Empathetic listening by the teacher creates a connection with the students that allows them to feel "heard."

Social interaction among peers is also important in the growth of communication skills. The more inclusive the focus of a classroom, the more growth each student will experience.

We are hard-wired to cooperate with others. Fostering positive interactions will benefit the entire culture of the classroom, as well as teach children skills that will serve them throughout life.

4 Ways Students Can Improve Communication Skills

Practice makes improvement-not perfection. Once kids are aware of these skills, the practice is available in every interaction.

1. Active listening skills through reinforcement

2. Group projects with collaboration

3. Know the benefit of open-ended questions

4. Developing empathy

6 Communication Games and Activities for Elementary Students

Telephone is a common "playground game," and also a powerful metaphor for teaching miscommunications and the practice of sharing information. The rest of the games, like Telephone, are also quite fun.

1. Telephone

Have students gather together in a circle. The instructor will whisper one short topic, sentence, or phrase into the ear of the student next to them. This phrase will be whispered into the ear of each student around the circle until arriving back at the instructor, who will then compare the original sentence to the one that it became.

2. Emotional Charades

Write-out scenarios that might provoke emotion in participants. The scenarios should be generally light emotions like forgetting your lunch, losing your phone, hearing a rumor about you, waiting for a bus, or forgetting your homework.

Each student then gets a scenario and acts it out with no speaking. After the scenario is guessed, discuss the emotional response. The more easily students can verbally express their emotions, the more easily a teacher can communicate with them and reference confusing feelings.

3. Audio Book Interaction

Scholastic has many interactive books available to students for free. The benefit of this interactive experience is for the student to align reading with speaking the words of the book.

4. Internet Resources

www.creatubbles.com is one website that unites students around the world and offers a platform to learn about creative and effective communication skills.

5. Role-Playing

This is a great way to expand empathy and perspective-taking. Setting goals for the roles is helpful, to guide the students toward vocabulary that will better facilitate cooperation.

For instance, assigning students as parents or teachers allows the kids to be creative in thinking of words that adults would use, and how it might feel to be in a situation from a view other than their own.

6. The Follow All Instructions Activity

Create a list of detailed instructions. The first instruction should be READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS FIRST. The last listed should be IGNORE ALL OTHER INSTRUCTIONS AND WRITE YOUR NAME ON THE TOP OF THIS PAPER.

The purpose of the activity is for students to communicate the importance of reading all instructions first before beginning any project. It offers a great conversation as well, for students of all ages.

7 Games and Activities for Middle and High School Students

So far we have covered a lot of games geared towards younger audiences, although they can be applied to older students too. Now we offer resources specifically for older students.

1. Famous Pairs

Create a list of well-known famous pairs. For instance, peanut butter and jelly, Romeo and Juliet, Superman and Lois Lane, etc. Each participant should receive a post-it-note with one half of a famous pair on their back.

Moving throughout the room, with only three questions per person, the participants try to figure out who the person is on their back.

Once the person has discovered who they are, they need to find their partner. If the other partner has not figured out his/her identity, they must not reveal themselves until they know.

2. The Best Parts of Our School

Many students are negative when it comes to their interpretation of school. In an effort to recognize what is good about your school, this activity is connective and a communication skills builder. This activity should be conducted over three days.

The first day is spent with each student listing 10 things that they consider the best parts of their school. The second day is spent in groups. The groups will create a coordinated list of agreed-upon best parts of their school. The third day is spent creating a class collective list after each group presents their best parts of their school ideas to the class.

3. The Enigmatic Self

We are often mysterious to others. This game promotes self-awareness about what you find mysterious about yourself. In this activity, students write down three things about themselves that no one else knows. In groups of 3 or 4 students, each read the mysterious aspects to each other.

Each group collects the mysteries. At a later time, each group reads the fact list and the remainder of the class tries to guess who the facts are from on the list. Encourage deep respect for these mysteries. Encourage students to celebrate the uniqueness of each other.

Classrooms with solid trust are often built on awareness and appreciation of each other.

4. Stand Up for Fillers

How many people use "like" or "um," or "uh" or "so," or "right" to fill a silent space? It is a nervous habit that is often rooted in the perceived discomfort of silence. This activity helps eliminate these fillers in conversation or in public speaking.

Each student is given a topic that they will speak about for 1-3 minutes (topic is not important; it should be simple). During their speaking time, the remainder of the class will stand when they hear any of these fillers occur in the speech.

The class is listening and the speaker is hyper-aware of the words that they use. It is a deliberate shock to the speaker to see the entire class stand when they hear these fillers and helps to be mindful about using precise vocabulary.

5. Blindfold Game

Create an obstacle course with everyday items in the classroom. Sort students into two groups. One person is blindfolded while the rest of the group decides how to communicate (from their seats) instructions on how to navigate through the course wearing a blindfold. Time each group and discuss which communication style was the most effective.

This activity builds trust and requires accurate communication to successfully navigate through the course. *Be sure to have at least one person to stand near the blindfolded student to help them stay safe during the course.

6. Drawn Understanding

Have two students sit back-to-back. One student has an object and the other has colored pencils and paper. The student with the object must describe it in as much detail as possible, without directly saying what it is.

The second student must draw the object as best they can, based on the communication of the student with the object.

7. Find It Together

Another blindfold is needed for this activity. Divide the group into pairs. One of the students is blindfolded. It is their job to retrieve specific objects from a designated circle. The other student guides their blindfolded partner to retrieve the correct object.

This game can get chaotic because of other blindfolded participants. It requires discussions after the activity, as well as voice recognition and teamwork. A closing discussion question could be something like, "How did people ignore the distractions of other sounds?" It can lead to great conversations on listening and volume control.

5 Communication Games and Activities for College Students

Students at the college level have likely developed some effective communication skills. At this level of education, there are still deep needs to practice communication-it is a skill that needs work.

1. The Guessing Game

This activity is a fun way to introduce and show the difference between closed and open questions. Split your class into two equal groups/teams. One person from each team will leave the room for a minute and think of a business object (any common business object that can be found in any office like a stapler, printer, etc.).

When each person returns, it's the team's task to ask him/her closed-ended questions only to try and guess the object. If needed, explain that closed-ended questions are those that can be answered only by a yes or no. Once any team finds the object, this means that they won this round. And they can go for another round.

After two or three rounds, end the game and lead a classroom discussion. Tell the group that it took a long time and effort to find out the object in each round, but what if they had no time and only one question to ask to find out the object: what would that question be?

The question would be "What is the object?" which is an open-ended question. Open-ended questions are an excellent way to save time and energy and help you get to the information you need fast.

However, closed questions can also be useful to confirm your understanding or to help you control the conversation with an overly talkative person/customer.

2. One Word Letters

Divide into pairs. Each team has one piece of paper and two pencils.

The instructor will start a clock (2-minute time limit). During the two minutes, the pair will write a single letter between them. Each of them will add only one word at a time.

The pair is to write as quickly as possible, not going back to re-read anything, but the last word added.

Letters and Communication Practice. Image Retrieved as Free Photo by Pixaby.

Grammar and spelling are unimportant. Punctuation is only added for sense in the letter. The letter may be written to anyone that the pair decides. It does not need to be a finished letter.

Once the time is up, the letter is read aloud to each other, or the group if classroom trust is solid.

Something interesting occurs when this activity is repeated. The original letters are nonsensical and amusing.

As the process is repeated, the pair's language begins to become more cohesive. It makes for a rich discussion.

3. Study Groups

Creating space for college students to manage a group culture is practice for future employment and collaborations. Study groups are one way to create the space for effective communication skills to be fostered.

Setting up the study groups for the class can form new bonds between students, and challenge them with handling situations that students might not naturally enter. The benefits of effective learning and the development of cooperative communication skills are far-reaching (Colbeck, Campbell, & Bjorklund, 2000).

4. Team Debate Projects

Collaboration is an important skill for students to have in the world of employment, opinions, and creating solutions. To understand any selected course material, have students argue a point against another within a mediated session.

There are many resources on how to facilitate team debates. Discuss the complications that may arise with debates, and how they can practice listening and being willing to change their mind if the argument is convincing.

5. Peer Mentoring

Leadership development requires advanced communication skills. A productive way to develop these skills is through the active engagement of peer mentorship programs. The give and take that exists within this relationship will fully develop skills in both parties.

Mentors benefit from the self-confidence boost that their guidance is needed, while mentees benefit from advice and a role model.

5 Nonverbal Communication Activities and Games

These games can all start or end with a discussion on what is more valuable in communication: nonverbal or verbal cues?

1. You Don't Say

Divide the group into smaller groups of 5-7 people. Write out a list of non-verbal behaviors.

Have the groups act out and interpret the meanings of these behaviors. This activity helps participants recognize nonverbal communication cues from others. Within their groups, have students display one of the nonverbal behaviors, while everyone else in the group shares or writes down what nonverbal message they are receiving.

Non-verbal behaviors can include:

Leaning back in a chair with arms crossed;

Leaning forward in a chair;

Smiling;

Frowning;

Yawning;

Nodding;

Resting chin in both hands;

Resting chin on knuckles;

Rubbing your temples;

Tapping fingers on the table;

Looking at your watch;

Staring around the room;

Ask the participants afterward to share their small-group findings. Ask the class if anyone has ever experienced a nonverbal cue that signaled to them much stronger than any words? Chances are that they have, and this provides context from their direct experience.

2. Picture Telling with Writing

To promote creative communication, this activity engages descriptive language and storytelling. Hold up a picture with people in it. Have the group write about what the people are doing and feeling in the picture.

With smaller children, the instructor can ask them to draw what happens next. This is a great form of imagination and emotional expression.

3. Mimes

Have a list of topic questions prepared. Divide groups into partners. Have one partner act out the answer to the topic question. The second partner guesses by writing what they believe the answer is on a piece of paper.

4. Movement Sticks

Hold two poles between the fingers of pairs. Together the pair will adjust to the movement of the poles. This is a fun and interactive way to attune body language.

5. Mirrors

Divide the group into pairs. Have one partner be chosen as a leader. The other will follow the facial expressions and body language of the leader. This works on eye contact and emotional awareness, along with improvement in awareness of body language cues.

Switch the leader with the follower for the second round. Ask the class if they preferred to follow or lead, and why?

5 Active Listening Games and Exercises

These games have been around for decades and are still fantastic for teaching active listening skills. Everyone knows the directions, and most people enjoy playing.

1. Red Light, Green Light

2. Simon Says

3. Musical Chairs

4. Popcorn Storytelling

This game is fun for all ages. Have the group sit in a circle. Give the group a starting sentence. For instance, "Once upon a time, a tiny gray elephant...." Have each participant add to the story based on what the previous participant has added to the story. It is a great demonstration of utilizing active listening.

5. What's My Favorite Movie?

Have each participant describe their favorite movie to a partner. Then, in pairs ask them to repeat their partner's favorite movie. Only those who have actively listened will be able to accurately repeat the favorites. It's tough when the game has many participants.

5 Assertive Communication Activities for Teens

Assertive communication is a healthy way to express one's needs. Being respectful and honest may still cause discomfort, and negotiating that discomfort is a critical skill. The following are activities that can help teens to develop these vital communication skills.

1. Emotion Awareness

Being attuned to our own emotional needs is the foundation of understanding why we are happy or frustrated with others. Many teens have trouble putting words to how they are feeling, and that is often a matter of knowing how to identify complex emotions.

In this activity, provide each participant with a sheet of various emojis. Take the group through various emotion-invoking scenarios. Have them keep track and label the emotions that popped up for them. Being able to name emotions as they are cued is a first step in improving emotional intelligence, and also relaxes the amygdala from over-firing.

2. Fists

Divide the group into pairs. The pair will get two different sets of instructions.

Person 1 instructions will read: Person 2 will make a fist. You MUST get that fist open.
Person 2 instructions will read: Person 1 is going to attempt to get you to open your fist. You must NOT open your fist unless he/she asks you politely and assertively.

Most people will try to pry the fist open. It is an opportunity to efficiently explain assertive communication. Knowing the power of good communication skills is important in building them properly.

Discuss with the students how the directions influenced their actions. Did they consider a peaceful way of asking? Why or why not? What communication role-models do movies and media offer?

3. Situation Samples

Have a list of scenarios where assertive communication would be the most effective. Offer the teens an opportunity to practice responses to the situations. Have them demonstrate aggressive, passive, and then assertive styles.

When they know the difference, the better they may practice it in real life scenarios.

Some sample scenarios could be:

You are standing in line at the check-out and two salespeople are engrossed in a deep conversation ignoring you.

Your teacher graded a paper that you feel should have received a higher mark.

Someone calls you a name that is hurtful.

Go through various options for responses and get the teens brainstorming.

4. Eye Contact Circle

This nonverbal skill is essential in assertive communication. A creative way to build this skill is with this circle. Create a circle with group participants. Each participant will answer the same question (ie: what is your favorite ice cream flavor) and after answering must find mutual eye contact with someone across the circle.

Once this eye contact is made, the participant must call out their partner's name and slowly switch places with them, while maintaining that eye contact. Eye contact is one of the basic principles of communication and trusting others.

5. Role-playing

Put the group into pairs and have them play different roles. Have the teens brainstorm scenarios from the past where they wish they had been more assertive. This also can be used in the workplace with employees, where people brainstorm in pairs.

This gives people the chance to learn from mistakes, and the empowerment to express their needs during the next uncomfortable situation. Have a list of possible scenarios ready, just in case the brainstorming doesn't produce enough opportunities to explore.

A Take-Home Message

Good communication is a skill that serves people in every area of life. Even the best communicators make mistakes, let alone those of us still learning how to improve. Imagine a world where everyone knew the emotion behind their message and tried to communicate with assertive kindness.

Equipping children with effective communication skills results in higher levels of emotional intelligence, higher test scores, lowering incidents of bullying, and improvements in overall mental well-being. There is so much to gain from practicing these skills.

With the omnipresence of technological advances, kids need to practice these face-to-face skills more than ever.

Building these skills in all age groups builds a society for empathy and emotional resilience. The more practice kids get in school and at home, the better these skills will become. Adults and kids alike have endless opportunities to change how they speak and address their shared needs.

We hope you enjoyed reading this article. Don't forget to download our three Positive Communication Exercises (PDF) for free.

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39 Communication Games and Activities for Kids and Students

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Communication activities for students and kids will improve communication skills in kids of all ages & benefit generations to come.

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What to Teach Students to Help Foster Good Communication Skills

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What to Teach Students to Help Foster Good Communication Skills

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In a world where a lot of communication takes place over technology, many people, students included, may find it difficult to communicate with others face to face. While proper communication through technology channels is important, it is equally vital to be able to communicate with people in person.

Verbal:
Important aspects of communication:
Teach Empathy
Teach Conversation Skills
Establish Listening and Speaking Procedures
Teach Respectful Vocabulary

Non-Verbal:
Power of Pausing
Practice in Natural Settings
Encourage Introspection
Teach Turn Taking

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Teach Your Students Effective Communication Skills With These 8 Tips!

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More screen-time means students need more in-person communication to learn the dying art of conversation. Here are a tips to practice with your students!

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8 Tips to Teach Effective Communication Skills

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Activities to Help Strengthen Collaboration Skills

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Activities to Help Strengthen Collaboration Skills

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Incorporating activities in the classroom that give students authentic collaborative experience gives them the chance to learn and develop skills for their future.

Examples:
Stump Your Partner
Think Pair Share
Write Pair Share
Catch Up
Fishbowl Debate
Case Study
Team Based Learning
Group Problem Solving

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Stump Your Partner

Students take a minute to create a challenging question based on the lecture content up to that point.

Students pose the question to the person sitting next to them.

To take this activity a step further, ask students to write down their questions and hand them in. These questions can be used to create tests or exams. They can also be reviewed to gauge student understanding.

Think-Pair-Share/Write-Pair-Share

The instructor poses a question that demands analysis, evaluation, or synthesis.

Students take a few minutes to think through an appropriate response.

Students turn to a partner (or small groups) and share their responses. Take this a step further by asking students to find someone who arrived at an answer different from their own and convince their partner to change their mind.

Student responses are shared within larger teams or with the entire class during a follow-up discussion.

Catch-Up

Stop at a transition point in your lecture.

Have students turn to a partner or work in small groups to compare notes and ask clarifying questions.

After a few minutes, open the floor to a few questions.

Fishbowl Debate

Ask students to sit in groups of three.

Assign roles. For example, the person on left takes one position on a topic for debate, the person on right takes the opposite position, and the person in the middle takes notes and decides which side is the most convincing and provides an argument for his or her choice.

Debrief by calling on a few groups to summarize their discussions.

Case Study

Create four to five case studies of similar difficulty.

Have students work in groups of four or five to work through and analyze their case study.

Provide 10-15 minutes (or adequate time) to work through the cases.

Walk around and address any questions.

Call on groups randomly and ask that students share their analysis. Continue until each case study has been addressed.

Team-Based Learning

Start a course unit by giving students some tasks to complete, such as reading or lab assignments. Consider assigning these to be completed before class.

Check students' comprehension of the material with a quick multiple-choice quiz. Have students submit their answers.

Assign students to groups and have them review their answers with group members to reach consensus. Have each group submit one answered quiz.

Record both the individual student assessment scores and the final group assessment score (both of which are used toward each student's course grade).

Deliver a lecture that specially targets any misconceptions or gaps in knowledge the assessments reveal.

Give groups a challenging assignment, such as solving a problem or applying a theory to a real-world situation.

Find more information on this strategy at  the Team-Based Learning Collaborative.

Group Problem-Solving

There are many instructional strategies that involve students working together to solve a problem, including inquiry-based learning, authentic learning, and discovery learning. While they each have their own unique characteristics, they fundamentally involve:

Presenting students with a problem.

Providing some structure or guidance toward solving the problem. Note however, that they are all student-centered activities in which the instructor may have a very minimal role.

Reaching a final outcome or solution.

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Examples of Collaborative Learning or Group Work Activities

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Students take a minute to create a challenging question based on the lecture content up to that point. Students pose the question to the person sitting next to them. To take this activity a step further, ask students to write down their questions and hand them in.

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Problem Solving Tips for Students and Teachers

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Problem Solving Tips for Students and Teachers

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For Students:

Go Step-By-Step Through The Problem-Solving Sequence

Revisit Past Problems

Document What Doesn’t Work

“3 Before Me”

For Teachers:

Ask Open Ended Questions

Encourage Grappling

Emphasize Process Over Product

Model The Strategies Yourself!

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Sought after transferable skills
Communication Skills
Employers are looking for interview candidates that have writing, speaking, and interpersonal skills. Some examples of this include:

Being persuasive in presenting a concept.

Having experience speaking in front of a group or class.

Are you engaging and enthusiastic?

Problem Solving/Analytical Skills
Solving problems for clients is often part of the business model. Show how you:

Solved a problem in school or a previous place of employment.

Conducted research experience.

Go about making a decision.

Teamwork
Sharing responsibility and working together with others is an invaluable skillset. In addition to the various teams you may have been a member of, such as group projects, sports teams, internships and student organizations, it is important to show:

The elements that contribute to team success.

What you learned when your team failed.

Other valuable skills include:

Initiative/Self-Starting

What you have done that goes beyond the job description.

Show your energy and enthusiasm

Leadership
Although this is no longer the no. 1 skill employers are looking for, leadership is still essential. You can demonstrate this if:

You were a student leader

Founded an organization

Let a project team

Flexibility
You are able to adapt to new rules and change directions quickly.

Creativity
Do you have an original approach to a challenge? Do you have a specific example of innovation?

Willingness to Learn
Knowledge about what a prospective company does is important, but we can't know everything.

Express interest in learning more.

Showcase a previous experience that highlights your willingness to learn.

Attention to Detail
This may seem minor compared to the other skills on the list, however your commitment to excellence in small details speaks volumes. Do you:

Take notes in meetings.

Ask questions for clarification.

Read and follow directions.

Proofread everything - email, PowerPoint presentations, final papers, resumes and cover letters.

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Recent graduates indicate they are changing jobs four times within five years of graduation. It is crucial to articulate the skills you have developed as they relate to new opportunities. How portable is your skillset? Work skills may be acquired in a variety of settings.

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Marybell-15 Important Transferable Skills

1. Problem Solving
2. Analytical Reasoning
3. Critical Thinking
4. Leadership
5. Adaptability

6. Teamwork
7. Communication
8. Writing

9. Listening
10. Creativity
11. Attention to Detail

12. Project Management

13. Relationship Building

14. Computer Skills
15. Management

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Whether you've stayed in the same career field for decades or hopped around, you've likely developed and added to your professional skill set. Some of these skills are job-specific, like understanding how to use certain platforms or tools, but others are transferable, such as strong leadership or critical thinking skills.

The pandemic has changed the work world in many ways, some temporary, and some likely permanent. Whether you're on the hunt for a new position because you have to or because you've decided it's time for a change, transferable skills can help you land a new job, no matter how "unmatched" your skill set might appear to be.

Though every worker has transferable skills, employers seek out certain transferable skills more than others. You may not have all of the "most wanted" must-have skills on your resume. But a deep dive into your experiences may reveal that you have far more of the sought after transferable skills than you thought.
Note: FlexJobs is the longtime leader in helping job seekers find the highest-quality remote, work-from-home, hybrid, and flexible jobs. You can sign up for a free trial or for premium-level access to our database of hand-screened job listings, as well as job search and career webinars and many other great resources! Learn today how FlexJobs can empower your job search !
What Are Transferable Skills?

Transferable skills are exactly what they sound like: the skills that you use in every job, no matter the title or the field. Some transferable skills are "hard," like coding or data analysis, and some are "soft," skills like communication and relationship building.

Think of transferable skills as part of your career tool belt. No matter what you learned in school or at a previous job, transferable skills are what every worker gains from each career experience, including volunteering, internships, freelance jobs, and more. They are the skills that you can use in any professional setting.

Doug Ebertowski, a Career Coach at FlexJobs, offers this example. "Assume you have a background in business development and you find a project manager position you want to pursue. Even though your previous job title sounds different, you likely spent time planning, developing processes and timelines, and organizing a team to reach your goals. Those are the transferable skills that can help you land the new job."

15 Important Transferable Skills

All transferable skills are important. However, employers seek out some transferable skills over others. These are the skills that you'll use in any job and can turn you from a good employee into an invaluable employee.

These transferable skills are desirable because if you already have them, your employer doesn't have to worry about training you on them. You can hit the ground running in any career field and start making positive contributions right away.

1. Problem Solving

Your problem-solving skills help you not only identify that there is a problem, they also help you identify what is causing the problem and find a way to implement a solution. Employers appreciate it when an employee identifies bottlenecks or inefficiencies in a process or procedure. However, they are even more appreciative when staff also offer solutions to those issues.

2. Analytical Reasoning

Analytical reasoning is, in some ways, part of your problem-solving skills: taking the larger problem and breaking it down into smaller problems to identify a solution. Put another way, employers want staff who can find logical solutions to the company's problems.

3. Critical Thinking

Similar to problem-solving and analytical reasoning, critical thinking is the evaluation and interpretation of information to make a judgment, come to a conclusion, or choose a course of action. It's more than reading something and saying, "Well, it must be true." It's looking at the evidence and evaluating it to help decide if the information is more opinion than fact before using it to back up a decision.

4. Leadership

Leadership skills aren't only your ability to supervise and manage a team. Leadership skills also include your ability to take the lead on a project and get a team to follow through and accomplish shared goals. Leadership encompasses many additional transferable skills like communication, problem-solving, and relationship building.

5. Adaptability

As you work in a role, you may discover that you need to adjust due dates, workflow, or even how you approach your job. In some cases, you may need to learn new skills to help get the job done. Pivots often happen in business, whether it's a strategy or a product line. Demonstrating that you can adapt to change shows that you're able to go with the flow while maintaining a positive attitude and getting your work done.

6. Teamwork

Teamwork means working together as a group to achieve a common goal. But being on the team and part of the team are two separate things. Employers don't want employees who show up but don't help the team accomplish its goals. They want team players, people who make positive contributions to the group to help it succeed.

7. Communication

A transferable skill in any setting, you will communicate in almost every job. Your communication skills are your ability to share ideas and information in a clear and concise manner, leaving no room for misunderstanding. You need the ability to communicate effectively and efficiently, so whomever you are communicating with understands your message.

8. Writing

Writing is, of course, a communication method. While writing may not be the primary task of every job, given the nature of modern businesses, writing skills have become an essential element of most careers. Employees with effective written communication skills can convey messages and information clearly despite the lack of visual cues.

9. Listening

Listening skills, specifically active listening skills, are transferable skills that cannot be overlooked especially if you're in management. To solve a problem for a client or resolve team conflicts, you have to be able to listen and understand what the other side is saying. If you aren't a good listener, you may not truly understand what the speaker is trying to convey.

10. Creativity

Creativity isn't always about your painting or drawing skills (unless it's relevant to your role). Creativity is about how you approach tasks and solve problems. Are you an out of the box thinker? Do you employ novel techniques to help clients understand how to use the product? Creative thinkers find novel solutions to the problems they face. They use these skills to help their employer see things differently and solve problems in new ways.

11. Attention to Detail

Paying attention to the finer details means you notice everything. You go through projects with a fine-tooth comb to make sure it's all correct and that nothing-no matter how small-gets lost. Being detail-oriented means your employer can count on you to pay attention to every detail in an assignment, and to catch errors and correct them as needed. It also means that you're intentional about how projects are executed and there's strong reasoning behind all decisions.

12. Project Management

Project management skills help you manage tasks from start to finish. You make sure everything stays on time and also adjust the timeline when things aren't going as planned. Employers want people who can not only see a task through, but who can visualize what needs to happen on a project from start to finish. This transferrable skill helps ensure that deadlines are met and projects are completed efficiently and effectively.

13. Relationship Building

Relationships are often the key building block of any company. Without good relationships between departments or with clients, there won't be any business! People who build relationships manage conflict or differing goals, and help parties arrive at a solution.

14. Computer Skills

You may not be a technological wizard, but it's a good idea to know your way around the many software programs that businesses use today. For example, if you know how to work in one type of spreadsheet, the odds are pretty good you can figure out any spreadsheet, which means the company won't have to teach you the basics.

15. Management

Management is so much more than assigning tasks. It's also making sure people get things done and helping them overcome any stumbling blocks they may encounter. Management skills enable you to make sure that people are where they need to be and that they are completing their tasks effectively.

Why Employers Seek Transferable Skills

Employers know that workers with transferable skills have an extensive skill set they can tap into when needed. For example, someone with analytical skills can likely examine a problem from all sides and help break down the options that exist for solving it.

Employers also seek transferable skills in their staff because, in general, employees with transferable skills have the tools that help them go beyond their job description. A customer service representative usually has good problem-solving skills. However, a customer service rep may do more with that transferable skill than solve problems for customers. They may also notice inefficiencies in how the team is assigned incoming calls and recommend a more efficient solution, saving the employer time and money.

Why Are Transferable Skills Important to You?

As important as transferable skills are to employers, they are equally important to you and play a pivotal role in helping you grow your career.

Taking your existing transferable skills and applying them to new challenges demonstrates to employers that you're adaptable and versatile (which are also transferable skills!). The ability to transition from one role to another using these skills shows that you are flexible in an ever-changing world.

Many job descriptions list a series of skills the company wants from applicants. You may not necessarily have all of the requested skills. But, your transferable skills may be similar to the desired skills, giving you a better shot at getting the job, even if you don't seem to be a perfect fit.

Especially if you're changing careers, transferable skills play an essential role in helping you make that switch. When you're shifting from one career field to a very different one (say, advertising account manager to preschool teacher), calling attention to your transferable skills helps demonstrate how, for example, the project management skills you used to create a winning ad campaign will help you design exciting and engaging lesson plans.

Use Your Transferable Skills to Grow Your Career

Perhaps the most important aspect of transferable skills is that they are yours to keep! No matter where your career takes you or where you take your career, the transferable skills you develop will always be there for you, helping you adapt, change, and grow professionally.

For more insights into what your transferable skills are and how they can benefit your career, consider scheduling a personalized session with a FlexJobs Career Coach to help identify how your transferrable skills can help land your next job.

Don't forget to share this article with friends!

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15 Transferable Skills Companies Want: Examples & Definitions | FlexJobs

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Whether you've stayed in the same career field for decades or hopped around, you've likely developed and added to your professional skill set. Some of these skills are job-specific, like understanding how to use certain platforms or tools, but others are transferable, such as strong leadership or critical thinking skills.

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Marybell-5 Easy Strategies for Developing Critical Thinkers

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Marybell-5 Easy Strategies for Developing Critical Thinkers

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#1 – Questioning Techniques
#2 – Student-Led Discussions
#3 – Inquiry-Based Learning
#4 – Collaboration
#5 – Problem-Based Learning

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5 Easy Strategies for Developing Critical Thinkers

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We’re excited to have Sydney from Love, Laugh, Teach guest posting for us today! Her post includes helpful insight and advice for developing critical thinkers in the classroom. As teachers, we all know how important critical thinking is, but sometimes it feels like an abstract concept to teach. Read…

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5 Easy Strategies for Developing Critical Thinkers

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Marybell: Building Student Confidence, Communication, and Collaboration

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Marybell: Building Student Confidence, Communication, and Collaboration

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Blogging

Students can benefit in many ways from blogging, especially when leveraging digital tools to build their online presence and digital citizenship skills.

Podcasting

To encourage students to share ideas, the use of podcasting can be a comfortable way to help students develop their voice and confidence.

Screencasting and Demonstrations

Something that has been truly beneficial in my classroom over the past few years is when students have created video tutorials or screencasts.

Promoting Choice

In my classroom, building the skills over time through scaffolding the activities or by providing students with a choice in where to begin has made a difference.

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To prepare for the future, we need to help our students develop skills that will transfer to whatever they decide to do once they leave our classrooms. An important part of learning is also the practice of reflection and becoming self-aware in the process. Beyond building skills in the content area, we need to promote the development of social-emotional learning ( ) skills and help students to become confident learners. Through different learning activities such as project-based learning (PBL), Genius Hour, and STEAM-related curriculum, we can promote the development of many of the essential that our students need now and in the future. We can also promote more student choice and involve students more in learning, by helping them move from being consumers to being the creators of content.

There are some very versatile methods and tools that can help students to develop the skills they need to be successful. In each of these, we can also promote the act of reflecting and help students to build confidence, communication and collaboration skills. As educators, we must also be comfortable taking on the role of co-learner in the classroom. It can be a change that feels uncomfortable, but it has tremendous benefits when we create opportunities for our students to lead and we can learn with and from them. Together we should engage in regular reflection on our progress, our growth, our goals, and how we can make a difference in the world. What can we create and share that will help others? How can our students share their stories and their learning? Here are a few ways to involve our students in more active learning which will foster the development of these essential skills.
4 Ways to foster confidence, communication and collaboration skills: Blogging
Students can benefit in many ways from blogging, especially when leveraging digital tools to build their online presence and digital citizenship skills. It is a great option for having students reflect on their work in class, progress during PBL, sharing ideas for Genius Hour or exploring some other independent learning choice. A blog can take many forms whether students use paper or leverage tools specific to blogging like , , , or . Each of these can be shared with classmates and teachers to invite feedback and build student confidence in conveying their ideas and expressing themselves. It is also great for promoting collaboration and communication by having students participate in a class blog, adding posts and comments, responding to questions, and sharing what they are doing in each class. Educators should also make time to blog as it serves as a good model for students and colleagues and creates supportive networks for us as well.
Podcasting
To encourage students to share ideas, the use of podcasting can be a comfortable way to help students develop their voice and confidence. Whether you decide to create a class podcast, encourage students to collaborate with classmates and create their own, or use individual podcasts, it is a beneficial addition to our classroom practice. For some students, they may prefer to write their thoughts in a blog, however, we need to help them to develop public speaking skills as well, and creating this option for students leads to more confident learners and provides the chance for students to create more in the classroom. When it comes to sharing ideas, many wonder what to talk about? Perhaps have students create a podcast rather than a presentation for class, they can interview a peer, role-play, post questions and gather responses from peers, for just a few options. When doing PBL or something like Genius Hour, it can be great for sharing unique ideas, skills and perspectives. There are many tools available for free which make it easy to create a short 5 -15 minute podcast, talking about a specific topic or something brought up in class. We have used and and getting started is easy with both. Through Synth, my students were able to engage in more authentic PBL and have discussions with students in Argentina.
Screencasting and Demonstrations
Something that has been truly beneficial in my classroom over the past few years is when students have created video tutorials or screencasts. Students have prepared a video lesson or a vocabulary activity, or even a "how-to" video for a digital tool. When these have been shared, they also became resources for students throughout the year as well as the following years. For students, seeing authentic work created by peers has made a difference in their content retention, it led to more peer collaborations, and fostered relationships in the classroom. For educators, having these student-created lessons or tutorials available can make a difference. Creating can take as little as a few minutes to get started but create a long-lasting learning experience.

Personally, I have used Screencastify , which enables me to record my screen and navigate a website, explain a project, clarify a concept, teach a lesson, for a few examples. Students have also used Educreations to design a lesson to share and we have used these over the years and refer back to them often. It is also a great way for students to reflect on their growth over time and reflect. In my STEAM class, students will use screencasts to explain how to use a digital tool or showcase an example of a project that they have done. It is comfortable to create these because we are in control and can revise or redo if needed. Continuing to build our skills and share our expertise with others by creating more learning opportunities that will benefit educators and students.
Promoting Choice
In my classroom, building the skills over time through scaffolding the activities or by providing students with a choice in where to begin has made a difference. For some students, writing a blog is where they start, before moving to podcasting or video responses, or sharing their learning through video. Many students can be shy to speak in class however have stated that they prefer to use a video response tool to record a message. In doing this ahead of time, they have been perfectly fine with their video being shown in class. In their words, it is more comfortable than having to stand in front of the room. Being able to create these learning products in their own space has made a difference.

Each of these ideas offers many benefits for educators and students. We want students to build many skills and through these opportunities, students will develop essential 21st-century skills and also promote creativity, initiative, resilience, and flexibility in learning.

Rachelle Dene is a Spanish and STEAM: What's nExT in Emerging Technology Teacher at Riverview Junior Senior High School in Oakmont, PA. Rachelle Dene is also an attorney with a Juris Doctor degree from Duquesne University School of Law and a master's in Instructional Technology. She serves as the President of the ISTE Teacher Education Network. Author of ' In Other Words : Quotes That Push Our Thinking," and " The Future is Now: Looking Back to Move Ahead ," Rachelle Dene's other titles include " Unconventional Ways to Thrive in EDU " and " Chart A New Course . Follow Rachelle on Twitter @Rdene915 and on Instagram @rdene915.

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To prepare for the future, we need to help our students develop skills that will transfer to whatever they decide to do once they leave our classrooms. An important part of learning is also the practice of reflection and becoming self-aware in the process.

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Marybell-How to Improve Collaboration, Communication, Creative and Critical Thinking in Students

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Marybell-How to Improve Collaboration, Communication, Creative and Critical Thinking in Students

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Collaboration

Give students plenty of opportunities to work together on their own terms. Group work is great, but self-selected group projects are better.

Encourage students to work through conflicts on their own, but give them the support and resources they need to accomplish this goal. Offer them tips, questions, and a safe place to discuss their disagreements.

Urge students to collaborate outside of the classroom. Can they interview an expert for a paper? Work with a sibling to solve a family challenge? Negotiate with mom and dad for a small change in family rules? Encourage these endeavors, and talk to parents and caregivers about how they can encourage them, too.

Communication

Don’t rely solely on group work and conflict management to teach students communication skills. Communication strategies such as negotiation, apologies, and effective advocacy must be taught. Students must experiment through trial and error. Provide a safe space for them to do this by allowing friendly conflict.

Encourage students to get involved in community issues. They might write an op-ed, lobby a politician, or author a persuasive blog entry. When appropriate, encourage students to go to school board meetings and share their views, or to attend state legislative days.

Don’t demand silence during the day. It’s reasonable to expect students to be orderly and to avoid interrupting, but shooting down their questions or penalizing them for excitedly sharing ideas shuts down communication. Instead, teach them the appropriate way to communicate by telling them not to interrupt, to be friendly and succinct, and to avoid talking over others.

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Critical thinking, communication, creative thinking, and collaboration are vital in the workplace, at home, and in virtually every interaction your students will have. Yet today's teaching styles consistently fail to help students master these "four Cs." The right curriculum can overcome this deficit, helping your students prepare for the real world while still meeting or exceeding curriculum goals.

Why the Four Cs Matter

In the midst of pressure to exceed district standards, to please parents, and to entertain students, it's easy to lose sight of the real purpose of education. A good education is about preparing students to enter the world. Students should leave your classroom with a cornucopia of skills they can use no matter what direction their life's path takes.

Critical thinking, collaboration, communication, and creative thinking serve students all day, every day. That's even truer when they hit adulthood. Consider a common dilemma: a fight with a spouse. A person who can think critically about their own behavior, engage in creative problem-solving, communicate well, and collaborate to find solutions will be better equipped to resolve the problem and have a happy relationship.

Here's another common dilemma students might face: dealing with a medical bill they don't think they owe. Critical thinking skills help students research the bill and synthesize the information. Collaboration and communication are vital for working with a medical office. Creative thinking can help devise a number of plans for paying the bill-or for disputing it if the medical office isn't responsive.

How Typical Teaching Styles Fail to Teach Critical Thinking and Other Vital Skills

Parents, professionals, friends, relatives, and everyone else must master the four Cs. Sadly, traditional teaching methods fail to teach them.

Much of the way educators teach is about asking students to passively accept information. That's anathema to critical thinking. Students who spend long days sitting at desks rarely get a chance to collaborate with others. They may spend all day only as inactive recipients of a teacher's words. Creative thinking-such as thinking creatively about how to manage their own boredom-may even land them in trouble.

How to Incorporate the Four Cs Into the Classroom

Life doesn't offer students separate critical thinking or collaboration moments. Instead, students must constantly use these basic skills. Therefore, the best lesson plans are those that incorporate the four Cs into the daily curriculum-not those that segregate them as separate parts of the day. How can teachers do this? Here are some simple strategies.

Creative Thinking

Encourage students to ask questions about what they learn and even to say they disagree with their teachers.

Present students with complex problems that require creative solutions, not simple questions that demand rote memorization.

Allow students to move around during the day and encourage them to use a variety of methods to learn. For example, spend time outside when discussing biology, or use baseball and basketball to demonstrate simple physics.

Rather than giving students worksheets, give them projects. To whatever extent possible, encourage them to develop their own projects.

Critical Thinking

Begin your lessons with a question, and explain to students how your lesson will solve that question.

Encourage students to disagree with you as long as they are respectful.

When students disagree with you or are frustrated, urge them to document their own opinions. A student who wants longer recess time might do a project researching the scientific benefits of research.

Incorporate information relevant to students' lives into your lesson plan. You might talk about climate change, encourage students to debate an upcoming election, or help students find reliable sources for researching a proposed school policy change.

Collaboration

Give students plenty of opportunities to work together on their own terms. Group work is great, but self-selected group projects are better.

Encourage students to work through conflicts on their own, but give them the support and resources they need to accomplish this goal. Offer them tips, questions, and a safe place to discuss their disagreements.

Urge students to collaborate outside of the classroom. Can they interview an expert for a paper? Work with a sibling to solve a family challenge? Negotiate with mom and dad for a small change in family rules? Encourage these endeavors, and talk to parents and caregivers about how they can encourage them, too.

Communication

Don't rely solely on group work and conflict management to teach students communication skills. Communication strategies such as negotiation, apologies, and effective advocacy must be taught. Students must experiment through trial and error. Provide a safe space for them to do this by allowing friendly conflict.

Encourage students to get involved in community issues. They might write an op-ed, lobby a politician, or author a persuasive blog entry. When appropriate, encourage students to go to school board meetings and share their views, or to attend state legislative days.

Don't demand silence during the day. It's reasonable to expect students to be orderly and to avoid interrupting, butshooting down their questions or penalizing them for excitedly sharing ideas shuts down communication. Instead, teach them the appropriate way to communicate by telling them not to interrupt, to be friendly and succinct, and to avoid talking over others.

Teaching the Four Cs: Lesson Plans That Get Results

Project-based learning (PBL) lesson plans incorporate learning into students' daily lives. These lesson plans are built upon a strong four Cs foundation. Some strategies for PBL learning include:

Getting students involved in a community project. For example, you might ask students to plan a volunteer project, write about why that project is a good idea, and then work together to get the community involved.

Helping students lobby for an issue they care about by writing their legislator, attending local meetings, or penning an op-ed.

Asking students to collaboratively develop a list of potential class projects, then doing their favorites from the list.

No matter what your students do with their lives, they will need to think critically and creatively. They'll need to work with others and effectively communicate. Project-based learning is one of the most effective ways to help your students master these skills. This pedagogical style teaches students in a real-world context, rather than forcing them to memorize information divorced from their real lives. It's fun. It works. It can be adapted to any educational goals. It might even reignite your students' love of learning and your passion for teaching.

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How to Improve Collaboration, Communication, Creative and Critical Thinking in Students

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Critical thinking, communication, creative thinking, and collaboration are vital in the workplace, at home, and in virtually every interaction your students will have. Yet today's teaching styles consistently fail to help students master these "four Cs." The right curriculum can overcome this deficit, helping your students prepare for the real world while still meeting or exceeding curriculum goals.

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Marybell: Some Ways To Develop Critical Thinking In Students

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Marybell: Some Ways To Develop Critical Thinking In Students

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1. Encourage Project-Based learning
2. Freedom To Learn
3. Connects Stories To Related Concepts
4. Start Analyzing And Assessing Ideas
5. Embrace Active Learning

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Promoting Critical Thinking Into All Aspects of Instruction

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Promoting Critical Thinking Into All Aspects of Instruction

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Begin lessons/units with a probing question

Encourage Creativity

Giving independence

Build in opportunities for students to find connections in learning.

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In This Post:

The importance of helping students increase critical thinking skills.

Ways to promote the essential skills needed to analyze and evaluate.

Strategies to incorporate critical thinking into your instruction.

We ask our teachers to be "future-ready" or say that we are teaching "for jobs that don't exist yet." These are powerful statements. At the same time, they give teachers the impression that we have to drastically change what we are doing.

So how do we plan education for an unknown job market or unknown needs?

My answer: We can't predict the jobs, but whatever they are, students will need to think critically to do them. So, our job is to teach our students HOW to think, not WHAT to think.

Our job is to teach our students HOW to think, not WHAT to think. Click To Tweet

Helping Students Become Critical Thinkers

My answer is rooted in the call to empower our students to be critical thinkers. I believe that to be critical thinkers, educators need to provide students with the strategies they need. And we need to ask more than just surface-level questions.

Questions to students must motivate them to dig up background knowledge. They should inspire them to make connections to real-world scenarios. These make the learning more memorable and meaningful.

Critical thinking is a general term. I believe this term means that students effectively identify, analyze, and evaluate content or skills. In this process, they (the students) will discover and present convincing reasons in support of their answers or thinking.

You can look up critical thinking and get many definitions like this one from Wikipedia:
" Critical thinking consists of a mental process of analyzing or evaluating information, particularly statements or propositions that people have offered as true. "

Essential Skills for Critical Thinking

In my current role as director of curriculum and instruction, I work to promote the use of 21st-century tools and, more importantly, thinking skills. Some essential skills that are the basis for critical thinking are:

Communication and Information skills

Thinking and Problem-Solving skills

Interpersonal and Self- Directional skills

Collaboration skills

These four bullets are skills students are going to need in any field and in all levels of education. Hence my answer to the question. We need to teach our students to think critically and for themselves.

One of the goals of education is to prepare students to learn through discovery. Providing opportunities to practice being critical thinkers will assist students in analyzing others' thinking and examining the logic of others.

Understanding others is an essential skill in collaboration and in everyday life. Critical thinking will allow students to do more than just memorize knowledge.

Ask Questions

So how do we do this? One recommendation is for educators to work in-depth questioning strategies into a lesson launch.

Ask thoughtful questions to allow for answers with sound reasoning. Then, word conversations and communication to shape students' thinking. Quick answers often result in very few words and no eye contact, which are skills we don't want to promote.

When you are asking students questions and they provide a solution, try some of these to promote further thinking:

Could you elaborate further on that point?

Will you express that point in another way?

Can you give me an illustration?

Would you give me an example?

Will you you provide more details?

Could you be more specific?

Do we need to consider another point of view?

Is there another way to look at this question?

Utilizing critical thinking skills could be seen as a change in the paradigm of teaching and learning. Engagement in education will enhance the collaboration among teachers and students. It will also provide a way for students to succeed even if the school system had to start over.

[scroll down to keep reading]

Promoting Critical Thinking Into All Aspects of Instruction

Engagement, application, and collaboration are skills that withstand the test of time. I also promote the integration of critical thinking into every aspect of instruction.

In my experience, I've found a few ways to make this happen.

Begin lessons/units with a probing question: It shouldn't be a question you can answer with a 'yes' or a 'no.' These questions should inspire discovery learning and problem-solving.

Encourage Creativity: I have seen teachers prepare projects before they give it to their students many times. For example, designing snowmen or other "creative" projects. By doing the design work or by cutting all the circles out beforehand, it removes creativity options.

It may help the classroom run more smoothly if every child's material is already cut out, but then every student's project looks the same. Students don't have to think on their own or problem solve.

Not having everything "glue ready" in advance is a good thing. Instead, give students all the supplies needed to create a snowman, and let them do it on their own.

Giving independence will allow students to become critical thinkers because they will have to create their own product with the supplies you give them. This might be an elementary example, but it's one we can relate to any grade level or project.

Try not to jump to help too fast - let the students work through a productive struggle.

Build in opportunities for students to find connections in learning. Encouraging students to make connections to a real-life situation and identify patterns is a great way to practice their critical thinking skills. The use of real-world scenarios will increase rigor, relevance, and critical thinking.

A few other techniques to encourage critical thinking are:

Use analogies

Promote interaction among students

Ask open-ended questions

Allow reflection time

Use real-life problems

Allow for thinking practice

Critical thinking prepares students to think for themselves for the rest of their lives. I also believe critical thinkers are less likely to go along with the crowd because they think for themselves.

About Matthew X. Joseph, Ed.D.

Dr. Matthew X. Joseph has been a school and district leader in many capacities in public education over his 25 years in the field. Experiences such as the Director of Digital Learning and Innovation in Milford Public Schools (MA), elementary school principal in Natick, MA and Attleboro, MA, classroom teacher, and district professional development specialist have provided Matt incredible insights on how to best support teaching and learning. This experience has led to nationally publishing articles and opportunities to speak at multiple state and national events. He is the author of Power of Us: Creating Collaborative Schools and co-author of Modern Mentoring, Reimagining Teacher Mentorship (Due out, fall 2019). His master's degree is in special education and his Ed.D. in Educational Leadership from Boston College.

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Strategies to Increase Critical Thinking Skills in students

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The importance of helping students increase critical thinking skills. Ways to promote the essential skills needed to analyze and evaluate. Strategies to incorporate critical thinking into your instruction. We ask our teachers to be "future-ready" or say that we are teaching "for jobs that don't exist yet." These are powerful statements.

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Helping Students Become Critical Thinkers

# data[].attributes.subject
Helping Students Become Critical Thinkers

# data[].attributes.body
“Critical thinking consists of a mental process of analyzing or evaluating information, particularly statements or propositions that people have offered as true.”

Some essential skills that are the basis for critical thinking are:

Communication and Information skills

Thinking and Problem-Solving skills

Interpersonal and Self- Directional skills

Collaboration skills

These four bullets are skills students are going to need in any field and in all levels of education. Hence my answer to the question. We need to teach our students to think critically and for themselves.

One of the goals of education is to prepare students to learn through discovery. Providing opportunities to practice being critical thinkers will assist students in analyzing others’ thinking and examining the logic of others.

Understanding others is an essential skill in collaboration and in everyday life. Critical thinking will allow students to do more than just memorize knowledge.

Ask Questions

Could you elaborate further on that point?

Will you express that point in another way?

Can you give me an illustration?

Would you give me an example?

Will you you provide more details?

Could you be more specific?

Do we need to consider another point of view?

Is there another way to look at this question?

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
In This Post:

The importance of helping students increase critical thinking skills.

Ways to promote the essential skills needed to analyze and evaluate.

Strategies to incorporate critical thinking into your instruction.

We ask our teachers to be "future-ready" or say that we are teaching "for jobs that don't exist yet." These are powerful statements. At the same time, they give teachers the impression that we have to drastically change what we are doing.

So how do we plan education for an unknown job market or unknown needs?

My answer: We can't predict the jobs, but whatever they are, students will need to think critically to do them. So, our job is to teach our students HOW to think, not WHAT to think.

Our job is to teach our students HOW to think, not WHAT to think. Click To Tweet

Helping Students Become Critical Thinkers

My answer is rooted in the call to empower our students to be critical thinkers. I believe that to be critical thinkers, educators need to provide students with the strategies they need. And we need to ask more than just surface-level questions.

Questions to students must motivate them to dig up background knowledge. They should inspire them to make connections to real-world scenarios. These make the learning more memorable and meaningful.

Critical thinking is a general term. I believe this term means that students effectively identify, analyze, and evaluate content or skills. In this process, they (the students) will discover and present convincing reasons in support of their answers or thinking.

You can look up critical thinking and get many definitions like this one from Wikipedia:
" Critical thinking consists of a mental process of analyzing or evaluating information, particularly statements or propositions that people have offered as true. "

Essential Skills for Critical Thinking

In my current role as director of curriculum and instruction, I work to promote the use of 21st-century tools and, more importantly, thinking skills. Some essential skills that are the basis for critical thinking are:

Communication and Information skills

Thinking and Problem-Solving skills

Interpersonal and Self- Directional skills

Collaboration skills

These four bullets are skills students are going to need in any field and in all levels of education. Hence my answer to the question. We need to teach our students to think critically and for themselves.

One of the goals of education is to prepare students to learn through discovery. Providing opportunities to practice being critical thinkers will assist students in analyzing others' thinking and examining the logic of others.

Understanding others is an essential skill in collaboration and in everyday life. Critical thinking will allow students to do more than just memorize knowledge.

Ask Questions

So how do we do this? One recommendation is for educators to work in-depth questioning strategies into a lesson launch.

Ask thoughtful questions to allow for answers with sound reasoning. Then, word conversations and communication to shape students' thinking. Quick answers often result in very few words and no eye contact, which are skills we don't want to promote.

When you are asking students questions and they provide a solution, try some of these to promote further thinking:

Could you elaborate further on that point?

Will you express that point in another way?

Can you give me an illustration?

Would you give me an example?

Will you you provide more details?

Could you be more specific?

Do we need to consider another point of view?

Is there another way to look at this question?

Utilizing critical thinking skills could be seen as a change in the paradigm of teaching and learning. Engagement in education will enhance the collaboration among teachers and students. It will also provide a way for students to succeed even if the school system had to start over.

[scroll down to keep reading]

Promoting Critical Thinking Into All Aspects of Instruction

Engagement, application, and collaboration are skills that withstand the test of time. I also promote the integration of critical thinking into every aspect of instruction.

In my experience, I've found a few ways to make this happen.

Begin lessons/units with a probing question: It shouldn't be a question you can answer with a 'yes' or a 'no.' These questions should inspire discovery learning and problem-solving.

Encourage Creativity: I have seen teachers prepare projects before they give it to their students many times. For example, designing snowmen or other "creative" projects. By doing the design work or by cutting all the circles out beforehand, it removes creativity options.

It may help the classroom run more smoothly if every child's material is already cut out, but then every student's project looks the same. Students don't have to think on their own or problem solve.

Not having everything "glue ready" in advance is a good thing. Instead, give students all the supplies needed to create a snowman, and let them do it on their own.

Giving independence will allow students to become critical thinkers because they will have to create their own product with the supplies you give them. This might be an elementary example, but it's one we can relate to any grade level or project.

Try not to jump to help too fast - let the students work through a productive struggle.

Build in opportunities for students to find connections in learning. Encouraging students to make connections to a real-life situation and identify patterns is a great way to practice their critical thinking skills. The use of real-world scenarios will increase rigor, relevance, and critical thinking.

A few other techniques to encourage critical thinking are:

Use analogies

Promote interaction among students

Ask open-ended questions

Allow reflection time

Use real-life problems

Allow for thinking practice

Critical thinking prepares students to think for themselves for the rest of their lives. I also believe critical thinkers are less likely to go along with the crowd because they think for themselves.

About Matthew X. Joseph, Ed.D.

Dr. Matthew X. Joseph has been a school and district leader in many capacities in public education over his 25 years in the field. Experiences such as the Director of Digital Learning and Innovation in Milford Public Schools (MA), elementary school principal in Natick, MA and Attleboro, MA, classroom teacher, and district professional development specialist have provided Matt incredible insights on how to best support teaching and learning. This experience has led to nationally publishing articles and opportunities to speak at multiple state and national events. He is the author of Power of Us: Creating Collaborative Schools and co-author of Modern Mentoring, Reimagining Teacher Mentorship (Due out, fall 2019). His master's degree is in special education and his Ed.D. in Educational Leadership from Boston College.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Strategies to Increase Critical Thinking Skills in students

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The importance of helping students increase critical thinking skills. Ways to promote the essential skills needed to analyze and evaluate. Strategies to incorporate critical thinking into your instruction. We ask our teachers to be "future-ready" or say that we are teaching "for jobs that don't exist yet." These are powerful statements.

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There has always been change but what is different today is the pace of the change due to technology. It is permeating every facet of our society and lives. For example, due to technology, we are living longer and better-quality lives. To quote from my new book (which is 1/3 finished), Career Transition - For Rapidly Changing Times and Longer Lives, “the average life expectancy of a white male in 1900 was 47 years vs. 75 in 2000. That’s an increase of 28 years, which amounts to almost another adult lifetime.” The fact that we have almost another lifetime and that technology is changing and disrupting industries at an unprecedented rate means that the average person in an industrialized country is likely to have at least one major career shift before they retire. Then we can add other factors such as boredom and the need for a new challenge or running up against barriers for further advancement in one’s current industry. If those factors are taken into account, it’s entirely feasible that someone entering the workforce today would confront 2 or more career transitions before they retire from the workforce that are either self-induced or imposed on them. By career transition I don’t mean just changing jobs in the same industry, I mean having to learn substantially new skills and pivot to another industry, field, or profession.

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A quote from this article, "A career change involves a marked shift in jobs requiring new primary skills or knowledge" shows that in order to help our students deal with future career transitions it is essential that we teach them "how" to learn so when they are confronted by change, they can meet it. Making sure we familiarize them with technology and incorporate 21st century skills in our lesson plans has to be key. In addition, using teaching strategies such as PBL to develop collaboration and presentation skills will help them meet the challenges of career change as well.

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People typically change careers for one of two reasons: They leave their career or their career leaves them. Either way, employment challenges during a career change are much the same when it comes to marketing yourself in places where you haven't been before.

Even when you think you can easily transition from one career field or industry to another, employers can be a hard sell when it comes to greenlighting career changers for a payroll. Except when they're filling entry level jobs, hiring authorities have a frustrating habit of preferring candidates who have already proven that they can do the work a job requires.

Global trade is changing life for many workers. Technology is automating human processes. Teleconference marketing is replacing sales trips. Highly qualified candidates are being hired on temporary contracts and cut loose when the project is over or the job is shipped offshore to cheaper labor nations.

Keep your dreams alive as you assume the role of career changer in a new era, but be aware of the challenges you'll face. Consider the following points:

Career change is not job change. A career change involves a marked shift in jobs requiring new primary skills or knowledge, or a totally different work environment - or both. For example, when a manager in the telecom industry leaves one company for another managerial position in the same industry, he makes a job change; when he leaves the telecom industry to become a museum curator he makes a career change to a different job and different industry.

Retraining may be unavoidable. When you attempt to make a clear change to a different kind of job in the same industry, you may well be able to pitch your way into an employer's graces without investing in additional formal education or training. Your challenge is more difficult when you try to change both your job and industry at the same time, but you may be able to pull it off without immediately spending additional time and money in school. However, you won't be able to get out of educational renewal to satisfy credibility and licensing requirements in such careers as law, public accounting, and nursing.

Employers worry most about risk. Managers are concerned whether the crossover skills you acquired in your former career will translate to your new career. When your skills don't convert and you can't do the work, the business suffers a negative impact and - if you're canned - a risk of being sued for wrongful discharge. Another worry is whether you'll suffer changer's remorse, quickly becoming dissatisfied and turning into a "bad hire." These risks drive employers to seek out directly applicable skills in proven performers.

Your competitors are new graduates. When you're starting over, you compete with new graduates who are starting out. Expect to be paid entry-level money; an employer is unlikely to compensate you for your 15 years' experience in another field (unless you can show that your experience can save or earn money for the new employer). Even so, you have an ace up your sleeve: You bring judgment, commitment, high motivation, proven good work habits, and real-world lessons.

This article can be found in the category:

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Understanding the Challenges of Changing Careers Article - dummies

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People typically change careers for one of two reasons: They leave their career or their career leaves them. Either way, employment challenges during a career change are much the same when it comes to marketing yourself in places where you haven't been before.

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Change is frightening for most people. I had a board member of a company I worked for as President tell me that the only people who like change are babies (change as in diapers). So perhaps one of the biggest things we can do as educators to equip our students to meet future career transitions would be to foster a growth mindset by utilizing SEL strategies. This article has some wonderful examples of techniques that could help students over a lifetime.

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If you've opened any education journal, read an online article, joined a PLC or participated in professional development in the last few years you've no doubt heard "growth mindset" discussed and debated.

What is it? How can you teach it? Why do we need it? Can we test for it? Are you doing it?

Carol Dweck offers, "In a growth mindset, people believe that their most basic abilities can be developed through dedication and hard work-brains and talent are just the starting point. This view creates a love of learning and a resilience that is essential for great accomplishment." (Dweck, 2015)

Many teachers we've worked with have an understanding, generally, of the concept as outlined by Dweck, but aren't yet sure how to effectively help their students to achieve it. In our work we found a practical definition of a "growth mindset" is having the skills that allow you to think flexibly and fluidly. This is the "it" that we want students to achieve. To be able to push past adversity knowing that "push" or effort will likely yield results.

The ability to use or apply a growth mindset is just as important but frequently less discussed. Our students need to have the ability to apply those skills in everyday life, particularly during times of stress or demanding situations. Therefore, the most important process for a teacher to think about is how they can teach these foundational skills to their students and empower them to use these skills effectively.

As educators we need to support our students' ability to think flexibly and fluidly. This comes from learning the skills to manage one's own emotions during times of high demand or stress. This management forms the ability to be in control of one's own thoughts and behaviors. "I can do it" stems from an understanding of "what is preventing me from thinking I can do it right now?" and then being able to push past those obstacles.

Just as you've heard a lot about growth mindset in recent years, you're likely also hearing about social and emotional learning (SEL). The link between SEL and growth mindset couldn't be more important. In fact, we think talking about growth mindset outside of the SEL space is confusing. You can't have one without the other. Without explicitly teaching the critical skills that build emotional regulation -- the key foundation of SEL -- you won't be teaching a growth mindset.
Let's connect this a little further
Have you ever let your emotions get the best of you? Think of a time that you had a strong emotional reaction to an event yet lacked the skills to manage that strong emotion. Many would say you didn't show a growth mindset at that time because you shut down in the face of adversity. Further, you didn't use the skills to persevere. Now, imagine if you had been taught explicitly to identify the connection between events and your emotions and you knew what to do to manage your emotions in difficult situations. You'd be able to use these skills, developing and practicing them over time, to actually build your resilience and belief in yourself.

It's critical to teach students to believe in their own skills and themselves. However, it is even more critical to teach them what to do when they need to use those skills in times of stress. That means teaching them the skills to identify, understand and manage their emotions so that they can, in turn, drive their own growth mindset when they need it.

One of the most challenging aspects of any new concept or idea in education is how educators can turn that into practical actions in their classrooms. Our message to educators is very simple. Teach the foundational SEL skills that help build a growth mindset. We need to explicitly, and consistently, teach kids the skills to manage their own emotions, so they can manage their behavior and be ready to learn. This is particularly important to develop in the elementary classroom.
Step 1 - Identify emotions
Don't make the common assumption that your students know their emotions: teach them. Students in kindergarten and first grade can learn emotions like overwhelmed and frustrated. Teach them, define them, and then model them by choosing books, games and even charades to show what emotions look like. Most importantly, teach kids to connect their emotions to events and to be able to identify what is driving them. We suggest teachers ask themselves, "Are students frustrated by math? Confused by writing? Scared by a thunderstorm?"
Step 2 - Connect emotions to behaviors
One of the most important connections when developing a growth mindset is to help students see how their emotions drive their behaviors. If feeling frustrated leads to shutting down during math, then it's important to understand that connection.

Support students to make this connection by modeling it in the classroom. For example: "There was traffic on the way home, which made me really frustrated. I was late to pick up my son. When he got in the car, I snapped at him to hurry up, even though he hadn't done anything."
Step 3 - Teach strategies to manage emotions
Students need to learn strategies to manage their emotions so that behavior can remain consistent and positive. The ability to employ strategies is critical to student success and ultimately the development of a growth mindset.

Imagine the situation above, when a student is frustrated during math. Without strategies that student is likely to shut down and stop working.

When we teach students how to use strategies, we can help them to learn the skills to push past their emotions. To do this we need to help them identify events that drive emotions ahead of time and practice using a strategy to cope with these emotions. This helps strategies become automatic, and this will keep students moving forward even when faced with a challenging event.

Here's a useful classroom idea: Help students identify their emotions by stopping for a minute or two during a math activity. Ask them to check in on their emotions, ask them to identify what they feel, and see if they need to use a strategy to manage it. Have a ready list of strategies available to them. Getting a quick drink, taking a quick walk, asking a clarifying question, or even just taking a few mindful deep breaths can help to manage an emotion and keep kids on track.
Step 4 - Teach, practice, rinse, repeat.
Have realistic expectations for yourself and your students. Developing these skills takes time and so does the development of a growth mindset. Be patient.

A growth mindset comes from knowing you have the skills to manage how you feel so you can drive what you do. Educators can arm students with the skills they need to drive their own learning by supporting their social and emotional skills. Directly teaching students to identify, understand and manage their own emotions can be a game changer for kids and lead to a lifetime of growth and learning -- a true growth mindset.
About the authors
Educational psychologist Lori Jackson and special educator Steve Peck each have more than 15 years of experience working with students and their families in diverse school settings. Together, they are co-founders of The Connections Model, a social-emotional learning and education technology company whose KidConnect app and curriculum help students develop emotional regulation, the necessary foundation for all learning. Follow them on Twitter @TheConnectModel

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Using SEL Strategies to Foster a Growth Mindset in Elementary Students

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If you've opened any education journal, read an online article, joined a PLC or participated in professional development in the last few years you've no doubt heard "growth mindset" discussed and debated. What is it? How can you teach it? Why do we need it? Can we test for it?

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One major challenge students face when joining the workforce is they lack relevant work experience to perform tasks successfully. Some students may have theoretical knowledge about the task, but employers may not be confident of their actual capabilities. To combat this challenge schools and educators can implement the following initiatives to display and cultivate hands-on experiences for students:

Workplace Learning Experience (WLE)

For 12 weeks K-12 students can participate in Workplace Learning Experience. Students find the workplace where they will spend one day a week during the 12-week period. These job placements should  allow students to have an engaging learning experience in areas such as: business/finance, education, digital arts, film, web design, performing arts, law, medicine, and research.

At the conclusion of the experience, students present these projects to workplace staff, parents, fellow students and faculty in a formal Exhibition of Learning.

Examples of student projects:

A design board for an architectural client

A tutorial guide for a special effects software program

Designing Web sites

Teaching units and/or individual lessons in elementary classrooms

Case studies of students in elementary classrooms

Tech Fairs

Schools and educators can implement or encourage students to join tech fairs. For instance, ITEC sponsors an annual student technology fair. The technology fair offers K-12 students an opportunity to showcase technology-based projects. Projects can be around a passion/interest area or created around solving a problem they have identified. Tech Fair projects range from the following list.

3-D Rendering/Non-linear animation

Graphics/Publishing

Innovative Technology Use

Mobile Apps

Music and Sound Design

Programming

Video or Linear Presentation (includes animation)

Pitch Deck Presentations

A pitch deck, also known as an investor or a startup pitch deck, is a business overview used to raise capital or gain clients or customers. The pitch deck, usually presented as a series of slides on a projection screen or in a PowerPoint, accompanies a verbal presentation. Students can collaborate to make presentations in this format and present it to classmates, community members or stakeholders. This will familiarize students with the process and time necessary to complete this task for careers in business, science etc.

Digital Portfolios

A digital portfolio is a tool that collects the set of content, documents, works, presentations and others with the aim of presenting the best work of an individual or organization, presented in digital format. This can be used to showcase students' art projects, architectural designs, teaching experiences etc.

Student Lead School Events/ Initiatives

Student lead events and initiatives play an important role in developing student leadership and providing a quality campus environment. Students planning events like school dances, Halloween events, bake sales, give students hands-on experience with running a business. It also highlights all the different factors and elements that intertwin to have a successful business.

References

https://www.edutopia.org/workplace-learning-experience-student-engagement

https://www.arimetrics.com/en/digital-glossary/digital-portfolio