ASU prepares educators and learners with durable skills
ASU ensures teachers can create skill-based learning environments that prepare students for future careers.
ASU ensures teachers can create skill-based learning environments that prepare students for future careers.
In an evolving world where adaptability and resilience are key, fostering durable skills has become essential for both educators and students. Durable skills, such as communication, collaboration, problem-solving and critical thinking, are integral to long-term success in education and beyond. These skills not only help students thrive academically but also prepare them for a dynamic and rapidly changing workforce.
ASU is committed to ensuring that educators are equipped to develop these foundational skills in their students. The Mary Lou Fulton College for Teaching and Learning Innovation is pioneering how educators teach these skills. At the Professional Educator Learning Hub there are professional learning courses that empower teachers to create skill-focused learning environments. The platform emphasizes strategies that help students cultivate durable skills, setting them up for long-term success.
Preparing educators to foster durable skills
Traditional educational structures may not always prioritize skill-building that extends beyond subject matter knowledge. The ASU Professional Educator Learning Hub addresses this gap by equipping educators with strategies that emphasize practical, real-world skills, including:
- Project-based learning: Encouraging students to work collaboratively on real-world challenges to develop problem-solving and teamwork abilities.
- Critical thinking frameworks: Providing tools for educators to integrate analytical and evaluative thinking in everyday lessons.
- Adaptive learning strategies: Supporting students in developing flexibility and resilience in both academic and personal contexts.
- Communication and leadership training: Ensuring students can articulate ideas effectively and lead in various settings.
Through the ASU Professional Educator Learning Hub, educators can access courses that align with these core principles, creating a learning environment where students are not just absorbing content but also gaining skills that will help them succeed in any field. Intro to Durable Skills is a free, hour-long course that provides an overview of ten durable skills. Along with the overview it outlines next steps for implementing durable skills in the classroom.
Empowering educators to lead the way
Educators play a crucial role in shaping the workforce of the future. By participating in ASU’s professional learning opportunities, teachers can become champions of skill-based education, fostering learning environments that prepare students for real-world success.
The ASU Professional Educator Learning Hub provides courses designed with educators’ needs in mind, offering:
- Introductory PowerUps: Free, short-format courses that introduce key teaching strategies for skill development.
- Flexible learning models: Facilitated and self-paced options that accommodate busy educators.
- Future expansion: Additional courses launching in 2025 to continue enhancing professional development opportunities.
Building durable skills at any age
ASU is leading the way in creating a seamless pathway from K–12 education to career readiness, helping students build skills that are applicable across industries and professions. ASU’s Universal Learner Courses and CareerCatalyst expand skill-building opportunities by offering flexible, high-quality learning experiences for students and professionals alike. Through these initiatives, ASU ensures that learners can build durable skills that serve them in both academic and professional settings.
CareerCatalyst curates courses focused on durable skills in the Professional Skills for Everyone series. Nine different courses are available to help build durable skills in areas like strategic thinking, collaboration and feedback and coaching.
Access to learning throughout the lifespan
Through these initiatives, ASU is fostering a culture of lifelong learning that empowers both students and educators. By integrating durable skills into the curriculum, schools can ensure that students are equipped for academic success and career readiness.
Explore these professional learning opportunities today through the ASU Professional Educator Learning Hub and join the movement to make universal learning a reality. Together, we can shape a future where every learner is prepared to thrive in an ever-changing world.