Problem-Oriented Learning as a Method of Developing Soft Skills Among Students of Pedagogical Specialties
In the context of the transformation of the modern higher education system, the supra-professional competencies (soft skills) necessary for future specialists in the humanitarian field, in particular, social educators, are of particular importance. The present study is aimed at studying the effectiv...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2025-07-01
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| Series: | Education Sciences |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2227-7102/15/7/861 |
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| author | Perizat Sanatbay Guldana Smailova Kadisha Shalgynbayeva Marziya Asilbekova Anar Tauekelova |
| author_facet | Perizat Sanatbay Guldana Smailova Kadisha Shalgynbayeva Marziya Asilbekova Anar Tauekelova |
| author_sort | Perizat Sanatbay |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | In the context of the transformation of the modern higher education system, the supra-professional competencies (soft skills) necessary for future specialists in the humanitarian field, in particular, social educators, are of particular importance. The present study is aimed at studying the effectiveness of problem-based learning (PBL) as a method of forming key soft skills among students of the educational program “Social Pedagogy” of the L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University. The theoretical part of the study includes an overview of international and domestic scientific discourse on flexible skills and a problem-oriented approach. In the empirical part, the methods of pedagogical experimentation, questionnaires, self-assessment of competencies, and quantitative analysis of the dynamics of soft skill development during the semester were applied. The results indicate a positive correlation between the intensity of students’ participation in PBL practices and the level of development of skills such as critical thinking, teamwork, communicative competence, and time management. The study also identified institutional and methodological barriers to the implementation of PBL in Kazakhstan’s educational practice, including the lack of trained facilitators and the lack of adapted cases. Based on the data obtained, a model of a localized PBL strategy integrated into the training of social educators is proposed. The research contributes to the development of the methodological culture of teacher education and opens up prospects for creating a sustainable system of soft skills formation in universities in Kazakhstan. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-e08421b0474a42ef96af92a059d48cf9 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2227-7102 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Education Sciences |
| spelling | doaj-art-e08421b0474a42ef96af92a059d48cf92025-08-20T03:08:05ZengMDPI AGEducation Sciences2227-71022025-07-0115786110.3390/educsci15070861Problem-Oriented Learning as a Method of Developing Soft Skills Among Students of Pedagogical SpecialtiesPerizat Sanatbay0Guldana Smailova1Kadisha Shalgynbayeva2Marziya Asilbekova3Anar Tauekelova4Department of Pedagogy, L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University, 010008 Astana, KazakhstanDepartment of Pedagogy, Kazakh National Pedagogical University Named After Abay, 050010 Almaty, KazakhstanDepartment of Pedagogy, L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University, 010008 Astana, KazakhstanDepartment of Pedagogy, L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University, 010008 Astana, KazakhstanFaculty of Pedagogy and Philology, Arkalyk Pedagogical Institute Named After I. Altynsarin, 110300 Arkalyk, KazakhstanIn the context of the transformation of the modern higher education system, the supra-professional competencies (soft skills) necessary for future specialists in the humanitarian field, in particular, social educators, are of particular importance. The present study is aimed at studying the effectiveness of problem-based learning (PBL) as a method of forming key soft skills among students of the educational program “Social Pedagogy” of the L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University. The theoretical part of the study includes an overview of international and domestic scientific discourse on flexible skills and a problem-oriented approach. In the empirical part, the methods of pedagogical experimentation, questionnaires, self-assessment of competencies, and quantitative analysis of the dynamics of soft skill development during the semester were applied. The results indicate a positive correlation between the intensity of students’ participation in PBL practices and the level of development of skills such as critical thinking, teamwork, communicative competence, and time management. The study also identified institutional and methodological barriers to the implementation of PBL in Kazakhstan’s educational practice, including the lack of trained facilitators and the lack of adapted cases. Based on the data obtained, a model of a localized PBL strategy integrated into the training of social educators is proposed. The research contributes to the development of the methodological culture of teacher education and opens up prospects for creating a sustainable system of soft skills formation in universities in Kazakhstan.https://www.mdpi.com/2227-7102/15/7/861soft skillsproblem-oriented learning (PBL)social pedagogyhigher educationprofessional competenciespedagogical experiment |
| spellingShingle | Perizat Sanatbay Guldana Smailova Kadisha Shalgynbayeva Marziya Asilbekova Anar Tauekelova Problem-Oriented Learning as a Method of Developing Soft Skills Among Students of Pedagogical Specialties Education Sciences soft skills problem-oriented learning (PBL) social pedagogy higher education professional competencies pedagogical experiment |
| title | Problem-Oriented Learning as a Method of Developing Soft Skills Among Students of Pedagogical Specialties |
| title_full | Problem-Oriented Learning as a Method of Developing Soft Skills Among Students of Pedagogical Specialties |
| title_fullStr | Problem-Oriented Learning as a Method of Developing Soft Skills Among Students of Pedagogical Specialties |
| title_full_unstemmed | Problem-Oriented Learning as a Method of Developing Soft Skills Among Students of Pedagogical Specialties |
| title_short | Problem-Oriented Learning as a Method of Developing Soft Skills Among Students of Pedagogical Specialties |
| title_sort | problem oriented learning as a method of developing soft skills among students of pedagogical specialties |
| topic | soft skills problem-oriented learning (PBL) social pedagogy higher education professional competencies pedagogical experiment |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2227-7102/15/7/861 |
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