Lifelong learning has become a popular concept as more organizations recognize the benefits of promoting 21st century skills in the workplace as part of their workforce success strategy and to help keep employees skills relevant amidst fast-pace, technology-driven dynamics.
Although this recent surge in 21st century skills or “soft skills” is helpful, the reality is that 21st century skills are not enough and organizations are looking for better ways to incorporate digital learning and technologies that appeal to humanistic qualities. Recently learning experts have recognized the importance of Social Emotional Learning (SEL) as the base for building capable and efficient workers.
The World Economic Forum had published a thorough report with the title “New Vision for Education: Fostering Social and Emotional Learning through Technology.”
In this report, prepared in collaboration with The Boston Consulting Group, SEL is defined by combining four competencies and six character qualities as can be seen in the following diagram.
The report shows that since 1980 jobs required social skills such as vocational counselors and financial managers increased. The following diagram presents the growing importance of SEL in today’s economy.
The good news is that educational technology holds enormous promise to help foster social and emotional skills. It can personalize learning, engage the disengaged, promote collaboration, complement face-to-face learning, extend education outside the training room and provide access to learners anytime, anywhere, using tools like T2K Echo.
In order to promote SEL organization training managers and executives have to make sure that they choose advanced learning platforms with social and interactive capabilities.
Another promising technology is advanced analytics and machine learning. For years advanced analytics and machine learning have been employed in the private sector to deliver business insights. Advanced analytics and machine learning also hold significant potential for social and emotional learning because they allow educators to personalize instruction through predictive computing and what is being known as “people analytics” which you can apply using tools like T2K BI.
To thrive in the 21st century, workers need more than traditional academic knowledge. They must be adept at collaboration, communication, and problem solving, which are some of the skills developed through social and emotional learning (SEL). Coupled with mastery of traditional skills, social and emotional proficiency will equip workers to succeed in the swiftly evolving digital economy.
