Competency & Character education

It is becoming increasingly apparent that working in technical fields (such as computing, engineering, and engineering technology) takes more than technical skills, and that technical skills themselves may be out of date by the time a student graduates. Cross-disciplinary skills, such as communication, teamwork, and self-directed learning will be crucial, as well as the less tangible dispositions such as being perseverent, being adaptable, and valuing life-long learning. At the same time, employees will face increasingly complex dilemmas throughout their careers. Character development will prepare graduates to consider ethical dilemmas broadly as part of their professional life. 

This website brings together Open Educational Resources (OER) that help faculty make character formation, cross-disciplinary skills, and professional dispositions a visible and intentional part of technical coursework. Developed through a multi-university collaboration and informed by work supported through the Educating Character Initiative and NSF grants, the site offers practical, adaptable tools faculty can use right away in their onsite, online, or hybrid courses.