Graduates of computer science programs often lack skills that employers desire among software developers. These include, for example, weaknesses in the areas of collaboration, communication, and software testing. Further research can help to refine this list by providing insight into additional skills that are of rising or regional importance. This paper therefore presents a study aimed at unco...

To succeed within the increasingly global context of their work environment, today’s IT professional needs to be equipped with both cutting-edge technical skills and a strong repertoire of “soft” skills. An important and often unrecognized soft skill is an appreciation of how various IT issues impact upon different peoples and what constitutes an acceptable professional practice in different so...

XBadges is a research project based on the hypothesis that commercial video games (nonserious games) can train soft skills. We measure persistence, spatial reasoning and risk taking before and after subjects participate in controlled game playing sessions. In addition, we have developed an automatic facial expression recognition system capable of inferring their emotions while playing, allowing...

Non-cognitive (“soft”) skills – allocating time and money effectively, teamwork, leadership, relationship management, acquiring and assimilating information – account as much for long-term economic success as cognitive ability and educational attainment. But these skills may be very difficult to teach in adulthood, especially to those with low baseline skill sets. Moreover, firms may be relucta...

Despite the benefits of laparoscopic procedures for the patients, this technique comes with a number of environmental limitations for the surgeon, which therefore require distinctive psychomotor skills. VR training systems aim to improve these skills. For effective transference of skills from these training systems, it is important to mimic the surgical environment; including the soft tissue mo...

Natürlich braucht man fachliches Wissen, methodische Kompetenz und die Fähigkeit zu systematisch-analytischem Denken. Aber das ist unserer Meinung nach nur die halbe Wahrheit. Wir glauben, dass es diese weichen, nicht messbaren Faktoren sind, die den Ausschlag geben, wenn’s wirklich den Punkt treffen soll. Irgendwo im Bereich der Kommunikation, des menschlichen Miteinanders und der persönlichen...

The paper presents how the concept and technology of Open Badges are applied in the GRASS project for acknowledging, grading, awarding and recognizing learners' efforts and achievements in developing their soft skills (like self-regulation, leadership, collaboration, skilled communication, problem solving and innovation). Specifically, the paper describes a 4-phase model, called SAGRADA that wa...

According to many documents issued by the European Union soft skills are closely connected with employability, particularly with regard to the transition of young people into the labour market. Nevertheless the programmes of most European universities are still focused on teaching traditional scientific skills rather than paying attention to soft and complementary skills. This article illustrat...