6 tips for starting skills development

More and more schools are finding it important for students and pupils to develop skills in addition to knowledge. But how do you implement skills education within your existing teaching? The following 6 tips will help you get started.’

TIP 1 Take the school’s vision as a starting point

Take the school’s vision as a starting point when choosing skills. Is inquiry-based learning a focus at your school? Then the skill “doing research” is a great one to include.

TIP 2 Include all stakeholders in the development process.

Include everyone in skill development and keep stakeholders informed. For example, provide posters, informational mails and presentations. Share both successes and learning points.

TIP 3 Start small

Skills education is not set up overnight, so start small. For example, start in a few classes or begin with one or two skills. This will prevent teachers from dropping out.

TIP 4 Don’t forget to do something with the insights

Simulise makes skill development insightful. Next, it is important that you do something with it. Consider coaching students and asking questions such as: what next step could you take? What would you like to improve? Simulise can also be used well for career orientation (LOB).

TIP 5 You don’t have to invent the wheel all by yourself

Others went before you, take advantage of that. For example, visit a school that is already working on skills. Or have teachers trained in working with skills within your teaching.

TIP 6 Chop knots

It’s good to involve everyone in skill development, but at some point you have to cut corners on, for example, the content of a rubric.