Abstract:

One of the constant challenges in higher education is to meet the demands of society. For this reason the Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingeniería del Diseño (ETSID) is leading a process aiming at enriching the curricula of its degrees with the addition of 13 generic skills. These competences have emerged from the desire to complement the training of graduates through the acquisition of a number of skills that will enable them to function better in today's professional environment, which is characterized by constant change, multiculturalism, innovation, creativity, teamwork, commitment, respect for the environment, multitasking, etc. Thus, the Universitat Politècnica de València has defined the following 13 generic skills:
1. Understanding and integration
2. Application and practical thinking
3. Analysis and Troubleshooting
4. Innovation, creativity and entrepreneurship
5. Design and project
6. Teamwork and leadership
7. Ethical, environmental and Professional Liability
8. Effective communication
9. Critical Thinking
10. Knowledge of contemporary issues
11. Lifelong learning
12. Planning and time management
13. Specific procedural skill

The ETSID has decided to implement them from this academic year in the 11 degrees it offers (including 6 master courses). To carry out this project, the institution has designed a training path for students to acquire them. After some previous testing, it was decided to include them within the assignments of the compulsory subjects of the corresponding degree, instead of offering seminars or further training courses. It also defined different levels of achievement. The different subjects involved may either work them and develop them in their teaching programmes or assess, i.e. evaluate their acquisition (in case they are “control points” for the given competences). This is at least carried out at two stages of the curriculum. In this work we explain in detail what teaching strategies are the most appropriate for each one of the 13 cross-curricular skills and discuss the evaluation systems which are suitable in each case.

Keywords:

Cross-curricular skills.