In other link from Stephen Downes’ OLDaily blog, I found this article on what employers want to see in graduates who are entering the work force. These employers are saying that the graduates are not prepared to enter the global work force, and that although they have some skills that are useful, they are not strong skills. It is not so important how students do on tests, but how well they can handle real life applications. The recommendations of the employers surveyed included evaluation of a student’s internship by faculty would be beneficial, an exam to evaluate critical thinking skills, and a multiple choice test of general knowledge.

Employers want well-rounded individuals who have good problem solving skills. They want to see students who can demonstrate that they have learned skills through internships, senior projects, and community-based work (i.e. performance based assessment). It is what we would like to see for our students, implementing learner-based projects, so it seems like educators and business entrepreneurs are on the same wavelength. So here again is a place where technology and digital access ties in. In order to make this learner-based curriculum happen, the four precepts need to be addressed. The technology needs to be available, teachers need to be trained to use it, there needs to be shared access to content, and there needs to be visionaries who make it happen.