Generative Research Teaching Communication Skills Team Ada Melody Ma | Devika Singh | Joseph Hines | Denise Nguyen | Scott Dombkowski
01 Our Scope Table of 02 Our Objective Contents 03 Initial and Current Stakeholders 04 Research Strategy 05 Research Methods 06 Research Insights 07 Design Principles 08 Concepts 09 Next Steps
Our Scope Our scope is to teach soft skills to students entering the workforce. We recognize that the future of work is “As technology becomes evolving due to automation in different industries. more pervasive, the However, what is not ambiguous is the need for soft world of work becomes skills. Soft skills will be a key differentiator in “the more collaborative, world of work” as they are extremely difficult to automate. education is more about teaching them how to respond to a fast-paced world of relentless change.” - Economist Intelligence Unit
Our Objective How might we leverage artificial intelligence to facilitate human to human interactions that promote the development of communication skills amongst students entering the workforce?
Initial Stakeholders Types of Higher Education Institutions CMU CCAC Pitt Private University Community College Public University 14,000 Students 43,000 Students 35,000 Students
Current Stakeholders Types of Industry Creative Fields STEM Fields Business Fields Moments in Career Students New Grads Managers
Research Methods Industry / Creative Fields STEM Fields Business Fields Career Students Generative Workshop & Survey Students New Grads Diary Study & Note to Past Self Managers Interviews & Note to Future Employee
Research Scenarios 01 02 03 04 Networking Collaboration Presenting work Di ffi cult conversations & Interviewing between teams with superiors • Informal / formal • Collaborate with • Present works to large • Performance reviews networking in the people with similar group of audiences • Conflict & negotiation professional setting expertise • Present to the clients • Interview for a job • Work in a • 1:1 presentation multidisciplinary team
Research Overview Stats Diary Study Generative Workshop Interview 6 Participants 13 Attendees 6 Participants Survey Note to Past Self Note to Future Employee 50 Respondents 6 Notes 6 Notes
Generative Workshop with Students
Generative Workshop Journey Map
Journey Map Students
Generative Workshop Sticky Scenario
Sticky Scenario Students
Sticky Scenario Students
Generative Workshop Role-Playing
Role Playing Students
Generative Workshop Communication Tool
Communication Tool Students
Diary Studies & Note to Past Self with New Grads
Diary Studies New Grads Q: What adjustments did you make to overcome those obstacles? A: “ A sense of competition and discord when assigned to do a task in a team. Di fg erent results due to di fg erence in style and speed of working that might put one ahead of the other.” - Aditi, Business New Grad
Notes to Past Self New Grads “…Flexibility will be key as you learn to speak with persons of a wide range of communication styles, personalities, backgrounds, and experiences. I hope you remember that as long as you put yourself out there consistently, you have everything to be proud of and you will be paving a path to your ultimate career goals. So speak up and remember the strengths you bring to the table. Your voice matters!” - Suzanne, Law New Grad
Interviews & Note to Future Employee with Managers
Interviews Managers Q: Is there anything you’ve learned from communicating with your manager that you’ve carried forward while managing? A: “Always protecting someone from my department. If you want to teach your child you teach them inside. Protect them from outside departments, once they have learned, they will be able to go outside the department. If an employee makes a mistake outside the department, you should take the responsibility.” - Je fg rey, Technology Manager
Notes to Future Employee Managers “As a new hire, I think it very important that when you communicate you clearly and concisely deliver your message, listen closely to the customer and their perspective while staying compassionate and empathetic to the their position… Be open and seek guidance from the experienced members of our team especially with the di ffj cult and high pressure sales situations we face regularly.” - Paul, Business Manager
Research Insights
Research Insights INSIGHT #01 General Communication strategies and pain points are similar across industries. “Communication and collaboration are essential in the 21st century skills; so much of work in the future will require things to be done across boundaries." - Sean Rush, The Economist
Research Insights INSIGHT #02 General Consistent preparation and practice is essential for being a confident communicator. “Practice makes perfect!” - Paul, Business Manager
Research Insights INSIGHT #03 General Constructive feedback with context and reflection helps to improve communication skills “It is hard to understand feedback that is not direct to an example. Hard to ask specific questions if there is not something there that they can draw from.” - Arianna, Business Student
Research Insights INSIGHT #04 On Students Both written and verbal skills are necessary for effective professional communication. “Communication tends to mean oral communication, but then you have employers complaining that people can’t write a coherent sentence,” - John Daniel, The Economist
Research Insights INSIGHT #05 On Students A positive setting can increase confidence and help facilitate difficult conversations. “My approach is to not change them. I center towards what their talents are and how they can use them to overcome situations of di ffj culty.” - Sarav, UX Manager
Research Insights INSIGHT #06 On Students There is a need to develop communication skills to become better presenters, networkers and teammates. “Since I have an introverted personality, I would say networking because it can be di ffj cult for me to do, especially in scenarios with lots of people.” - Engineering Student
Research Insights INSIGHT #07 On Students Preparation for different audiences and contexts is important. “I ensured that I had researched and was prepared for not only past steps but also future consequences.” - Aditi, Business New Grad
Research Insights INSIGHT #08 On Students Familiarization with professional situations and scenarios can help students better prepare for entering the workforce. “Learning what kinds of situations to expect and what to say or do during specific situations will make you more prepared and confident." - Business Student
Design Principles
Design Principles & Implications 01 02 03 Create more Learning should be Promote continuous transparency between engaging and interactive learning schools and industry Research Insight: Research Insight: Research Insight: There is a misalignment between what Increased efforts in teaching soft Learning models should be oriented industry expects and what schools skills, but current applications are around continuous learning. provide in terms of soft skills. not engaging. Feedback should happen as often as Familiarization with professional Group settings are ideal for possible and at multiple levels. situations and scenarios can help practicing and interacting. students better prepare for entering the Consistent preparation and workforce. practice is essential for being a confident communicator.
Design Principles & Implications 04 05 Cater to Individuals Follow the established learning model: Explicit Goals. Assessment. Feedback. Reflection. Research Insight: Research Insight: Feedback loops are essential Learning goals should be explicitly Learners have different motivations articulated at the outset. and goals. Personalized learning is Constructive feedback with essential for identifying an user’s context and reflection helps to Mission goals and clear mental models and blind spots. improve communication skills assessment rubrics at the beginning benefit student’ learning. Research Insight:
Design Principles & Implications 06 07 Foster a conducive Prepare for a variety of contexts. learning environment Research Insight: Research Insight: Environments significantly influence Both written and verbal skills are Preparation for different audiences and contexts is important. learning necessary for effective professional communication. A positive setting can increase confidence and help facilitate difficult There is a need to develop conversations. communication skills to become better presenters, networkers and teammates.
Design Directions
Concept 01 PERSONAL COACH An eco-system of artifacts for students and young professional that helps them prepare for different professional settings through simulated practice and post performance analysis.
Concept 02 REAL-TIME LEARNING An assistive learning tool for students and young professionals that helps with in-situ learning.
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