Professionalism, Ethics, and Soft Skills: A Cross-Curricular Exploration
Inquiry Framework
Question Framework
Driving Question
The overarching question that guides the entire project.In what ways do professionalism, ethics, and soft skills shape success across diverse fields and how can we cultivate these qualities in ourselves?Essential Questions
Supporting questions that break down major concepts.- What does it mean to be professional?
- Why are soft skills important in the workplace?
- How do ethics apply to different professional fields?
Standards & Learning Goals
Learning Goals
By the end of this project, students will be able to:- Understand the meaning of professionalism
- Identify the importance of soft skills in the workplace
- Recognize the application of ethics in different professional fields
- Analyze how professionalism, ethics, and soft skills influence success
- Develop personal strategies to cultivate professionalism, ethics, and soft skills
Entry Events
Events that will be used to introduce the project to studentsCorporate Crisis Simulation
Stage a 'Corporate Crisis Simulation'. Students role-play a company facing an ethical dilemma. They collaborate to make tough decisions under pressure, considering diverse stakeholders and potential consequences. This encourages communication, problem-solving, and ethical decision-making.Portfolio Activities
Portfolio Activities
These activities progressively build towards your learning goals, with each submission contributing to the student's final portfolio.Decoding Professionalism
Students will research and define professionalism, exploring its various facets and interpretations.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA comprehensive definition of professionalism with examples of professional behavior in different contexts.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsLearning Goal: Understand the meaning of professionalism.Ethics in Action: Case Studies
Students will explore ethical dilemmas in various professions (e.g., medicine, law, journalism) and propose solutions based on ethical principles.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA series of case studies analyzing ethical dilemmas in different professions, with proposed solutions and justifications.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsLearning Goal: Recognize the application of ethics in different professional fields.Success Factors: Interview Analysis
Students will interview professionals from different fields and analyze how professionalism, ethics, and soft skills have contributed to their success.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA written analysis of the interviews, highlighting common themes and insights about the role of professionalism, ethics, and soft skills in achieving success.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsLearning Goal: Analyze how professionalism, ethics, and soft skills influence success.Personal Growth Blueprint
Students will create a personal development plan outlining specific strategies to improve their professionalism, ethics, and soft skills.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA personal development plan with actionable steps, timelines, and methods for self-assessment.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsLearning Goal: Develop personal strategies to cultivate professionalism, ethics, and soft skills.Rubric & Reflection
Portfolio Rubric
Grading criteria for assessing the overall project portfolioProfessionalism, Ethics, and Soft Skills Portfolio Rubric
Understanding Professionalism
Assesses the student's ability to define professionalism and provide relevant examples.Clarity and Accuracy of Definition
The definition is comprehensive, accurate, and reflects a deep understanding of professionalism across various contexts.
Exemplary
4 PointsDefinition is exceptionally clear, insightful, and demonstrates a nuanced understanding of professionalism, incorporating diverse perspectives and subtle nuances. The examples provided are highly relevant, demonstrate sophisticated judgment, and reveal a keen awareness of context.
Proficient
3 PointsDefinition is clear, accurate, and demonstrates a solid understanding of professionalism. Examples are relevant and show good judgment.
Developing
2 PointsDefinition is somewhat vague or incomplete, showing a basic understanding of professionalism. Examples are simplistic or may not always be relevant.
Beginning
1 PointsDefinition is unclear, inaccurate, or demonstrates a limited understanding of professionalism. Examples are missing, irrelevant, or inappropriate.
Relevance and Insightfulness of Examples
The examples provided clearly illustrate professional behavior in different settings.
Exemplary
4 PointsExamples are highly insightful and demonstrate a keen awareness of context. The rationale demonstrates sophisticated judgment and reveals a nuanced understanding of the complexities of professional behavior.
Proficient
3 PointsExamples are relevant and show good judgment. The rationale is clear and supports the choice of examples.
Developing
2 PointsExamples are simplistic or may not always be relevant. The rationale is basic or lacks clarity.
Beginning
1 PointsExamples are missing, irrelevant, or inappropriate. No rationale is provided.
Ethical Reasoning and Problem-Solving
Evaluates the student's ability to analyze ethical dilemmas and propose ethical solutions.Relevance and Complexity of Case Studies
The case studies selected are relevant, complex, and provide opportunities for ethical analysis.
Exemplary
4 PointsCase studies are exceptionally well-chosen, demonstrating a deep understanding of the ethical complexities within each profession. The dilemmas presented are multifaceted and require nuanced analysis.
Proficient
3 PointsCase studies are relevant and provide opportunities for ethical analysis.
Developing
2 PointsCase studies are somewhat simplistic or lack complexity.
Beginning
1 PointsCase studies are irrelevant or do not present ethical dilemmas.
Quality of Proposed Solutions
The proposed solutions are well-reasoned, ethical, and demonstrate critical thinking.
Exemplary
4 PointsSolutions are innovative, insightful, and demonstrate a sophisticated understanding of ethical principles. Justifications are comprehensive and consider diverse perspectives.
Proficient
3 PointsSolutions are well-reasoned and ethical.
Developing
2 PointsSolutions are simplistic or lack ethical justification.
Beginning
1 PointsSolutions are unethical or poorly reasoned.
Ethical Justification
The justifications for the solutions are clear, logical, and grounded in ethical principles.
Exemplary
4 PointsJustifications are exceptionally clear, logical, and demonstrate a deep understanding of ethical principles, incorporating diverse perspectives and nuanced reasoning.
Proficient
3 PointsJustifications are clear, logical, and grounded in ethical principles.
Developing
2 PointsJustifications are vague, incomplete, or lack ethical grounding.
Beginning
1 PointsJustifications are missing or illogical.
Interview and Analysis Skills
Assesses the student's ability to gather and analyze information from interviews.Quality of Interview Questions
The interview questions are well-designed to elicit insights about professionalism, ethics, and soft skills.
Exemplary
4 PointsQuestions are exceptionally insightful, probing, and tailored to elicit nuanced perspectives on the role of professionalism, ethics, and soft skills in the interviewee's career.
Proficient
3 PointsQuestions are well-designed to elicit insights.
Developing
2 PointsQuestions are basic or superficial.
Beginning
1 PointsQuestions are poorly designed or irrelevant.
Depth of Interview Analysis
The analysis of interview data is thorough, insightful, and identifies common themes and insights.
Exemplary
4 PointsAnalysis is exceptionally thorough, insightful, and reveals profound connections between professionalism, ethics, soft skills, and career success. The themes identified are original and thought-provoking.
Proficient
3 PointsAnalysis is thorough and insightful.
Developing
2 PointsAnalysis is superficial or incomplete.
Beginning
1 PointsAnalysis is missing or lacks insight.
Clarity and Insightfulness of Report
The report effectively summarizes the findings and draws meaningful conclusions.
Exemplary
4 PointsReport is exceptionally well-written, synthesizing findings with clarity and precision. Conclusions are insightful, well-supported by evidence, and offer valuable perspectives on the influence of professionalism, ethics, and soft skills on success.
Proficient
3 PointsReport effectively summarizes the findings and draws meaningful conclusions.
Developing
2 PointsReport is poorly organized or lacks clear conclusions.
Beginning
1 PointsReport is incomplete or fails to summarize findings.
Personal Development Planning
Evaluates the student's ability to create a personal development plan.Quality of Self-Reflection
The reflection is thoughtful, honest, and demonstrates self-awareness.
Exemplary
4 PointsReflection is exceptionally insightful, demonstrating profound self-awareness and a nuanced understanding of personal strengths and weaknesses. The goals are ambitious yet realistic, reflecting a strong commitment to personal growth.
Proficient
3 PointsReflection is thoughtful and honest.
Developing
2 PointsReflection is superficial or lacks depth.
Beginning
1 PointsReflection is minimal or absent.
Effectiveness of SMART Goals
The SMART goals are well-defined, achievable, and aligned with personal growth.
Exemplary
4 PointsGoals are exceptionally well-defined, ambitious yet realistic, and demonstrate a strong commitment to personal growth. The strategies are innovative and tailored to maximize individual potential.
Proficient
3 PointsThe SMART goals are well-defined and achievable.
Developing
2 PointsGoals are vague or unrealistic.
Beginning
1 PointsGoals are missing or poorly defined.
Feasibility of Strategies
The strategies are practical, effective, and demonstrate resourcefulness.
Exemplary
4 PointsStrategies are exceptionally practical, innovative, and demonstrate resourcefulness in leveraging diverse resources to achieve personal growth. The timeline is realistic and well-structured, providing a clear roadmap for success.
Proficient
3 PointsThe strategies are practical and effective.
Developing
2 PointsStrategies are impractical or lack detail.
Beginning
1 PointsStrategies are missing or unrealistic.
Clarity of Timeline and Self-Assessment
The timeline and self-assessment methods are well-defined and support progress tracking.
Exemplary
4 PointsThe timeline is realistic, well-structured, and provides a clear roadmap for success. Self-assessment methods are innovative and demonstrate a commitment to continuous improvement.
Proficient
3 PointsThe timeline and self-assessment methods are well-defined and support progress tracking.
Developing
2 PointsThe timeline and self-assessment methods are vague or incomplete.
Beginning
1 PointsThe timeline and self-assessment methods are missing or poorly defined.