Curriculum Modification

One of the primary goals of the NSF CATEP grant is to begin teaching the Employability (i.e. Soft) Skills to IT students bound for support of the high-growth Aerospace, Energy, BioScience, or IT industries in Colorado. In order to accomplish this, a common course – CIS118 – taught at all community colleges in Colorado was chosen to infuse these skills as part of the standard curriculum. CIS118 concentrates on the Microsoft Office products and is a common course to many disciplines at all Colorado community colleges. By choosing this class, a majority of students could gain from this enhancement. The Employability Skills targeted by CATEP are a sub-set of the Super-Set accumulated during the grant proposal effort and amended during the first year. At the end of this page is the entire Super-Set of Employability Skills.

The curriculum changes were “trial tested” in a few CIS118 classes during the Spring 2009 semester at ACC. Based on the results of this trial, and faculty training received during the summer at BATEC, the CIS118 curriculum at ACC has been permanently modified for implementation into some sections beginning Fall 2009 with remaining sections beginning Spring 2010. At Aims, all sections have been modified beginning Fall 2009.

The following changes are being implemented:

• Upon completion of the Word assignments, students are then asked to complete a resume assignment. We discuss and work on this assignment over 3-4 class periods. Soft skills involved; written communication.
  
  
• Upon completion of the Excel assignments, students are then asked to complete a spreadsheet assignment. We discuss and work on this assignment both individually and in groups (i.e. teams) over 2-3 class periods. Soft skills involved; critical thinking skills, verbal communication skills and teaming/collaboration skills.
  
  
• Upon completion of the Access and PowerPoint assignments, students are then asked to complete a presentation assignment. We discuss and work on this assignment both individually and in groups (i.e. teams) over 4-5 class periods. Soft skills involved: written communication, verbal communication, presentation skills, teaming/collaboration skills.

Self-management/motivation soft skills are emphasized throughout the class and reinforced through attendance and on-time assignment due date requirements.

Aims has added a new class "Management of Information Systems" starting this fall. This class encapsulates the entire soft skill package including the application of communication and appropriate technical skills, problem solving, and project collaboration withing a simulated Technology business environment.

CATEP Employability Skills Super-Set

(Grant-specific)

 

Written communication

• Use of a computer application to enter text, graphics, and other formatted information
• Formatting, editing, and printing information using a computer application
• Correct spelling, grammar, and articulation in the presentation of information and ideas

Verbal communication

• Persuasive expression of ideas/data to Customers, co-workers, and management clearly and succinctly through effective use of eye-contact and non-verbal expression in daily contacts
• Presentation skills (including dress, knowledge of subject, knowledge of audience, persuasiveness, voice projection, eye contact, body movement, stance, pointer use, etc)

Work and Personal Ethics, Values, and Standards

• Honesty/integrity with respect to company time and property (real or intellectual)
• Loyalty to company, team, and co-workers
• Commitment to doing your best and what is best for the Company and Customer
• Enthusiasm in assigned tasks
• Reliability and dependability in terms of consistency, meeting deadlines, and getting the job done
• Maintain a sense of humor
• Maintain a positive attitude
• Be responsible and accountable for your actions and the actions of your group/team
• Use common sense when necessary
• Convey a sense of self esteem and confidence
• Maintain a high personal standard of quality work
• Embrace and celebrate diversity
• Treat Customers (external), customers (internal), co-workers, and management with respect
• Use of appropriate language in the workplace
• Use of good manners
• Demonstrate promptness
• Avoid absenteeism
• Eliminate distractions during meetings/gatherings (e.g. cell phones, iPods, Blackberries)
• Respect confidentiality of work and personnel issues
• Do not plagiarize
• Do not attend to personal business on the job
• Adhere to company dress code
• Maintain appropriate grooming and hygiene
• Be aware of personal and group health and safety issues and act accordingly

Self-management and Interpersonal Skills

• Develop a rapport with others and establish and maintain working relationships
• Listen effectively to others when they speak
• Understand human motivation
• Understand and respect cultural differences internally and externally
• Manage stressful situations effectively (i.e. maintain “calm”)
• Ability to multi-task effectively
• Coordinate and give structure to things or tasks
• Can vary or adjust style or approach according to situational demands
• Seek balance in all life aspects, including health and fitnessSeek balance in all life aspects, including health and fitness

Self-motivation and Initiative

• Willingness to learn new skills and tasks via study, experience, or training
• Willingness to take on additional work load
• Show initiative in carrying out work assignments
• Take responsibility for completing one’s own work assignment(s)
• Be creative and originate or imagine new ideas, methods, or products
• Be pro-active in career planning

 

Listening and Using Information

• Listen attentively with appropriate eye contact
• Ability to take efficient and thorough notes
• Appreciate feelings and concern of verbal messages
• Pick out important information in verbal messages
• Understand complex messages
• Review information for relevance and completeness
• Recognize and take steps to eliminate important gaps in existing information

 

Willingness to learn

• Learn from your mistakes and accept help from co-workers and supervisors
• Learn new/additional skills related to the job
• Learn about the products or services of the organization
• Plan for and achieve your own learning goals

 

Teamwork and Collaboration

• Work as part of a team to achieve mutual/common goals through contribution and collaboration
• Develop and maintain good working relationships with co-workers and supervisors
• Choose behaviors that best support the team and lead toward the accomplishment of work tasks
• Work through conflict constructively
• Persuasively present thoughts and ideas to other team members
• Respect the views of others on the team
• Build toward team consensus
• Understand and respect the diversity among team members
• Collaborate effectively with others on individual assignments

 

Leadership

• Ability to effectively and positively influence the performance of teammates and co-workers
• Ability and willingness to take the lead when offered or needed
• Ability to lead and/or supervise a diverse workforce

 

Critical Thinking and Problem-solving

• Apply Root Cause Analysis whenever possible
• Recognize the human, interpersonal, technical, and scientific dimensions of a problem
• Apply logic, reasoning, and Critical Thinking Skills to review information, identify problems, and select the best solution(s)
• Contribute to solving problems through suggestions, recommendations, and communication