The importance of educational capsules in developing soft skills among higher education students

Abstract

The world is constantly changing, and human skills like communication, conflict management, collaboration, and autonomy are becoming crucial for students’ career prospects and personal growth. This article explains how educational capsules contribute to developing these transversal skills. By drawing on a literature review, a case analysis, and some teaching reflections, we highlight the usefulness of these digital tools as a cornerstone for active and personalized learning. A case study was conducted with 100 Master's students as part of a course on language skills and soft skills. Over six weeks, the students went through six learning modules focusing on oral communication, stress management, and teamwork. Each module included reflective activities. We used three research tools that allowed us to combine both quantitative and qualitative measures. First, we have a self-assessment questionnaire that allows students to measure their perception of their soft skills. Next, we used a behavioral observation grid to objectively evaluate students' attitudes. Finally, there is a semi-structured interview that gathers qualitative data on students' experiences over the six weeks. Overall, the three research tools revealed a remarkable improvement in the three human skills that were set beforehand. En somme les capsules pédagogiques bien conçues, scénarisées et insérées dans un dispositif interactif peuvent constituer un réel catalyseur consacré au développement des compétences douces et sociales. Cet article donne l’occasion d’ouvrir de nouvelles perspectives de recherche a plus grande échelle sur l’usage des courtes vidéos thématiques au service des soft skills dans divers contextes disciplinaires.

JEL classification: I21, I23, J24

Paper Type: Empirical research.