Soft Skills, or Social-Emotional Intelligence (SEI) as it is often referred to, is closely related to the assessment of Higher Education (HE) students (Cohen & Sandy, 2007; Bradshaw, 2008; Low & Nelson, 2004; Nazir & Masrur, 2010; Vela, 2003). Research evidence suggests that applying soft skills in the assessment of HE students leads to improved academic performance and quality of learning (Brackett et al., 2009). It is revealed in the high indicators of students’ emotional sustainability and their ability to overcome negative emotions easily, which is particularly evident among ethnically and culturally diverse students. The study was conducted with culturally diverse groups of students at three higher education institutions of Georgia, using quantitative and qualitative methods. 200 ethnically Armenian and Azerbaijani students were surveyed. The analysis of study results revealed that the existing programs in Georgian as the State Language mainly develop communication skills; however, after being admitted to the major academic programs at Bachelor’s level, they find it difficult to socialize with Georgian students, to work in mixed groups, to cope with the stress, etc. The study suggests the methodology in the assessment of social-emotional skills, developed together with Israeli and European partner higher education institutions within Erasmus+ project ASSET (Assessment Tools for New Learning Environments in Higher Education Institutions). The implementation of this methodology in academic courses enables students to develop their social-emotional skills in ethnically and culturally diverse learning environment, to be able to integrate rapidly in the multicultural society and to get employed successfully.

Authors:
Tina Gelashvili, Samtskhe Javakheti State University, Georgia
Izabella Petriashvili, Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University, Georgia
Teona Diasamidze, Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University, Georgia
Ina Baratashvili, Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University, Georgia

About the Presenter(s)
Prof. Tina Gelashvili working at Samtskhe-Javakheti State University (Georgia). She is a head of the MBA program and has huge experience in Learning, teaching and assessment issues, Projects management and etc.

See this presentation on the full schedule – Friday Schedule

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