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Fostering Awareness of the Competencies
A successful integration of core competencies into the student experience starts with fostering awareness of these competencies and linking them to student outcomes. To achieve this, here are examples of some best practices that have proven effective in creating and enhancing core competency awareness among students.
Integration into curriculum
Identify the core competency behavioral characteristic(s) in the expected student learning outcome(s) for an activity, project or assignment.
Integration into promotional materials
Visually identify the core competency or competencies a student can expect to develop or enhance by participating in a particular event.
Explicit instruction with tangible examples
Spotlight one core competency per week with the associated available school activities for developing that competency in a newsletter or other student-facing communication.
Visual aids
Display core competency marketing collateral, like a classroom poster, to create familiarity for students and to serve as a reference source when addressing the core competencies in the classroom.
Fostering a Comprehensive Understanding of the Competencies
To foster a comprehensive grasp of the core competencies and equip students with the ability to effectively communicate their competency development, we will now explore a series of targeted activities. These exercises aim to deepen students' understanding of these essential skills and provide them with practical tools to articulate their competency growth and proficiency to various stakeholders.
Targeted activities focused on core competencies can significantly enhance students' confidence in their understanding of these essential skills. This approach not only clarifies what the core competencies represent but also empowers students to recognize the direct connection between these competencies and their personal skill development. By engaging in these activities, students can better internalize the relevance of core competencies to their academic and professional growth, fostering a more proactive approach to their learning journey.
Activity: In their own words…
Sharing the core competency definitions and behavioral characteristics with students as a reference, have students break into small groups to redefine the core competencies in their own words and brainstorm activities that could build that competency.
This competency activity can be found using the links below:
In Their Own Words (fillable PDF)
Activity: Enhancing deliverables
Provide students with sample statements from career deliverables, such as resume bullet points or mock interview statements, that can be enhanced using core competency language.
Connecting Competencies to SIV Assessments
Students can brainstorm accessible opportunities and activities for core competency development based on a strength, interest and values assessment types, such as RIASEC.
These strengths, interests, and values-specific competency activities can be found using the links below:
SAMPLE RIASEC Themed Competency Building Activities
RIASEC Themes Competency Building Activities
We invite you to share activities that you believe would resonate with your student population, assist them in better understanding the core competencies, and enable them to articulate these competencies effectively to potential employers and other stakeholders.
Please click on the link below to contribute your thoughts.