When it comes to the professional landscape, obtaining a qualification is merely a stepping stone to true success. The hallmark of a truly successful graduate extends beyond a certificate to include a comprehensive set of attributes that prepares them for the dynamic challenges of the workplace. At EDGE, our mission to drive student success encompasses ensuring that students are not only qualified, but also fully equipped for real-world success, and our CourseBook™ is designed to make this a reality.
The power of graduate attributes
Graduate attributes encompass a range of skills, knowledge and abilities that students develop during their academic journey. As per Bowden et al. (2000), graduate attributes ‘go beyond the disciplinary expertise or technical knowledge that has traditionally formed the core of most university courses. They are qualities that also prepare graduates as agents of social good in an unknown future’. In other words, graduate attributes prepare individuals for active and informed citizenship, so that they are able to contribute to society in a meaningful way.
Examples of these attributes include:
- Critical thinking and problem-solving: The ability to analyse complex issues, evaluate evidence and devise innovative solutions.
- Communication skills: Proficiency in conveying ideas clearly and effectively in both written and oral forms.
- Collaboration and teamwork: The capability to work productively with others, leveraging diverse perspectives.
- Adaptability and lifelong learning: The readiness to embrace change and continually update one’s skills and knowledge.
- Ethical and social responsibility: A commitment to ethical principles and contributing positively to society.
These attributes are pivotal in ensuring that graduates emerge not just as subject matter experts, but as critical thinkers, effective communicators and socially responsible citizens.
Addressing the skills gap
A study conducted by Higher Education South Africa (HESA) aimed to determine whether South African higher education institutions deliver graduates of the quality expected by the working world (Griesel and Parker in Welgemoed and Erasmus, 2023). The study found multiple gaps between the skills and abilities that employers expect graduates to possess and the reality of what they bring to the table. Results indicated that graduates often lack the following essential skills (Griesel and Parker in Welgemoed and Erasmus, 2023):
- Finding and accessing information effectively
- Strong written communication abilities
- Understanding of economic and business realities
- Selecting appropriate information to solve problems
- Planning and executing tasks independently
- Being open and flexible, particularly in recognising and addressing areas for improvement
So, how do we bridge the gap between what is expected of graduates and what is being delivered by educational institutions? The key lies in creating meaningful learning experiences for students (The University of Edinburgh, 2022). This is where CourseBook™ comes in. CourseBook™ aims to deepen students’ understanding of the content and cultivate various virtues throughout their learning journey, so as to prepare them to become active contributors to society.
Let’s take a closer look at the attributes that South African graduates require to thrive in the workforce.
Information literacy
Information literacy — the ability to locate, evaluate and use information effectively — is foundational for both academic success and professional competence. In today’s digital age, where information is abundant and readily accessible, the capacity to discern credible sources from unreliable ones is crucial.
Through its innovative features, CourseBook™ equips students with the skills to navigate, assess and utilise this vast array of available information effectively. The platform’s scaffolded learning pathways guide students in critically engaging with and applying information, as well as understanding the broader context of the content they encounter.
CourseBook™ prioritises real-world relevance, keeping students engaged while fostering the ability to transfer their skills from the classroom to everyday scenarios. Interactive features, including digital activities and quizzes, enable students to practise applying information in practical, meaningful ways.
Moreover, through the embedded CommunitySpace™, students can collaborate with peers, exchange ideas and evaluate resources together, further enhancing information literacy. This collaborative feature strengthens students’ capacity to critically assess information in today’s globally connected world.
The platform’s integrated AI Assistant offers additional support by providing instant definitions, clarifying concepts and providing contextualised examples. This guides students in navigating complex subjects efficiently and aids them in developing a deeper understanding of the material. Meanwhile, the ability to highlight and annotate content encourages active reading, enabling students to identify key points and make their own summaries. This, in turn, helps them to organise and process valuable information. Yet another tool that supports students’ information literacy is text translation, enabling them to access content in multiple languages. This promotes a broader understanding, particularly for second-language students, enabling them to interpret information across different linguistic contexts.
Communication skills
Effective communication, particularly in writing, is crucial in both academic and professional environments, as it enables students to articulate ideas and convey messages clearly, and to collaborate effectively. These skills are critical for any form of professional correspondence.
CourseBook™ fosters effective communication early on through interactive and collaborative learning experiences. By integrating case studies and real-world scenarios, CourseBook™ challenges students to analyse complex situations and articulate clear, concise solutions, preparing them for successful communication in their future careers. The platform’s CommunitySpace™ further enhances these skills by encouraging collaboration between students and with educators. Through discussions and idea sharing, students learn to express their thoughts clearly while actively engaging with others’ perspectives. This interactive environment fosters the collaborative development of attributes such as intellectual curiosity, open-mindedness, courage and humility, strengthening students’ ability to communicate confidently and respectfully.
Additionally, the NoteSpace™ sharpens written communication skills by enabling students to organise their highlights, annotations and summaries. This helps them to integrate information and engage in deeper meaning-making.
Commercial awareness
Commercial awareness – having an understanding of the economic and business landscape within which organisations operate – involves recognising market trends, business strategies and economic principles that influence decision-making. This helps students to better respond to the needs of the industry.
Our Business CourseBooks™ connect theory to practice by focusing on the practical application of economic and business principles, helping students to understand how organisations operate in real-world contexts. Additionally, the content is presented through a distinctly South African lens, making it highly relevant to the local context and more relatable for students. Through interactive exercises, case studies and problem-solving tasks, the platform immerses students in current market challenges. This approach enhances their analytical skills and equips them to make informed business decisions, ensuring that they are well prepared to thrive in today’s dynamic business environment.
Moreover, with contextual guidance, the AI Assistant further enhances students’ commercial awareness by simplifying complex business concepts into clear and easy-to-understand explanations. The CommunitySpace™ also introduces students to a variety of perspectives through discussions on industry developments and practical use cases, giving them a broader understanding of the commercial landscape.
Critical thinking and problem-solving
Critical thinking and problem-solving are essential skills for analysing situations, identifying problems and developing effective solutions. These skills are vital to deep understanding, and they enable individuals to navigate challenges, innovate and make decisions that lead to positive outcomes.
With CourseBook™, the structure of the content pushes students to explore complex topics, analyse data and form well-reasoned arguments. Throughout the text, problem-solving exercises encourage creative and critical application of knowledge, developing the skills needed to tackle real-world challenges.
In addition to this, the AI Assistant encourages students to ask questions and critically evaluate the information presented. This interactive approach strengthens their ability to think critically and solve problems. By highlighting and annotating content, students are also empowered to reflect on the material, and through the CommunitySpace™, they are exposed to diverse perspectives. In this way, students are encouraged to analyse information and evaluate ideas.
Self-management and independence
Self-management and independence involve the ability to plan, organise and execute tasks autonomously. These skills empower individuals to take responsibility for their learning, manage their time effectively, and pursue goals with discipline and initiative.
This is a core building block of CourseBook™, as students are encouraged to take an active role in their learning process, rather than passively consume information. As such, students are prompted to engage with the content by questioning, discussing and applying what they learn in an interactive manner.
Additionally, CourseBook™ is designed to be mobile-friendly, which supports self-directed learning at any time, in any place. The platform offers flexible learning paths, enabling students to progress at their own pace. This promotes a sense of ownership and fosters self-management and independence.
Adaptability and lifelong learning
Adaptability and a commitment to lifelong learning are crucial in a rapidly changing world. The ability to embrace new challenges, learn continuously and adjust to evolving circumstances ensures that individuals remain relevant and capable in their personal and professional lives.
CourseBook™ fosters adaptability and promotes lifelong learning by providing students with the tools and mindset they need to succeed in today’s world. Its dynamic features help to develop these essential skills in several ways:
- Interactive and contextually relevant content: CourseBook™ integrates multimedia and interactive elements that reflect real-world situations, encouraging students to think critically and respond to evolving scenarios.
- Community learning environment: The CommunitySpace™ fosters collaborative learning, enabling students to engage with peers, share knowledge and learn from diverse perspectives. This collaborative approach not only broadens their horizons, but also teaches them to be flexible and open to new ideas.
- Mobile-friendly design: With a mobile-friendly experience, students can access learning materials anywhere, anytime. This design encourages learning to become an integral part of daily life, reinforcing the value of lifelong learning.
- Translate tool: By offering access to course materials in various languages, the translation tool promotes adaptability in diverse learning environments and enhances global perspectives.
- AI Assistant: The AI Assistant facilitates continuous learning by further unpacking concepts, promoting curiosity and a commitment to lifelong learning.
Conclusion
At EDGE Education, we believe in the holistic development of students. As such, CourseBook™ is more than a learning tool; it is a catalyst for cultivating the graduate attributes essential for success. By leveraging digital technology and evidence-based learning design, we ensure that graduates are adequately prepared for the workforce and equipped to make meaningful contributions to society.
Join us in this journey of transforming education and empowering students to learn the way they live with CourseBook™.
References
Bowden, J., Hart, G., King, B., Trigwell, K. and Watts, O. (2000), Generic capabilities of ATN university graduates. Canberra: Australian Government Department of Education, Training and Youth Affairs.
The University of Edinburgh [website] (2022), ‘Definition: what are graduate attributes?’ <https://graduate-attributes.ed.ac.uk/what> accessed 6 August 2024.
Welgemoed, M. and Erasmus, D. (2023), ‘The Importance of Graduate Attributes in Preparing Law Students for Legal Practice’. Obiter 44(4): 709–736.
