ERIC Number: EJ1228523
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2019
Pages: 15
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1356-2517
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Factors Explaining the Learning of Generic Skills: A Study of University Students' Experiences
Virtanen, Anne; Tynjälä, Päivi
Teaching in Higher Education, v24 n7 p880-894 2019
Although generic skills have received widespread attention from both policymakers and educationalists, little is known regarding how students acquire these skills, or how they should best be taught. Hence, the aim of this study was to identify what kinds of pedagogical practices are behind the learning of eight particular generic skills. The data were collected from university students (N = 163, n = 123) via Internet questionnaires. The findings from regression analyses showed that teaching practices involving collaboration and interaction as well as features of a constructivist learning environment and integrative pedagogy predicted the learning of generic skills -- such as decision-making skills, different forms of creativity, and problem-solving skills. In contrast, the traditional forms of university teaching -- such as reading, lecturing, and working alone -- were negatively associated to learning generic skills. Overall, this study offers detailed information about the pedagogical practices that nurture learning generic skills in university contexts.
Descriptors: College Students, Basic Skills, Skill Development, Constructivism (Learning), Predictor Variables, Cooperative Learning, Decision Making Skills, Creativity, Problem Solving, Teaching Methods, Minimum Competencies, Thinking Skills, Lifelong Learning
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
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Language: English
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