Education of the Future and Development of Critical Thinking Through the Integration of Soft Skills
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.57125/FED.2025.03.25.05Keywords:
social skills, communication, educational methods, prospects, pedagogical innovationsAbstract
The current market environment requires education not only to transfer knowledge but also to develop critical thinking. The purpose of this study is to identify the key opportunities, methods, and barriers to further integration of soft skills into the education system as a means of developing critical thinking. A cross-sectional design was used, which involved the simultaneous collection of materials from 2 groups of respondents: teachers (n=32) and experts (n=21). The purposive sampling method was used for inclusion. In total, 77 letters were received with a desire to participate in the study, but 53 people were included who met the clear inclusion criteria. The results indicate that during the survey, respondents noted communication skills, critical thinking, emotional intelligence, and leadership. The article describes a high level of soft skills among modern students. This is facilitated by the most successful methods of developing critical thinking: discussions and debates, game-based learning, and special psychological training. Communication, critical thinking, emotional intelligence, and teamwork are identified as essential skills for career development. Among the problems of soft skills development in the Ukrainian education system, the lack of resources is primarily mentioned. However, the passivity of the administration of educational institutions is also noticeable. The proposed recommendations include the further development of the game approach and the use of professional psychologists (for primary education). For secondary education, the relevance of additional optional exercises for the development of critical thinking and unique work with teachers is emphasised. For the development of soft skills in university education, it is essential to adapt educational programs to the current conditions of the labour market. The conclusions indicate that the amount of information that will need to be worked with suggests the importance of critical thinking as part of soft skills relevant to a professional career.
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