Unlock Your Potential with Junho's Capstone Project
Development of Emotional Intelligence
Emotional intelligence is “a type of intelligence that involves the ability to process emotional information and use it in reasoning and other cognitive activities” (APA). This crucial skill can be developed through reflection (intrapersonal skill), conflict resolution, classroom climate, motivating learners, and interpersonal skills. From interacting with peers to working on group projects, students develop their emotional intelligence throughout their schooling years. Research conducted by Carter and Hughes (2006) has also shown that even students with disabilities also develop better social skills through classrooms. Having emotional intelligence is crucial, as Humphrey et al. (2007) emphasized; emotional intelligence in education has the potential to improve students’ emotional health, academic achievement, and adaptive outcomes. The development of emotional intelligence is one of the most impactful effects of education.
Development of Social Skills
Social skills are defined as “a set of learned abilities that enable an individual to interact competently and appropriately in a given social context” (APA). Education provides a structured environment where students are able to interact, collaborate, and communicate with peers and teachers. Through group projects, discussions, and extracurricular activities, students are able to learn essential social skills like teamwork, effective communication, conflict resolution, and empathy. Additionally, educational settings often incorporate social-emotional learning (SEL). A study conducted by Yang et al. (2020) showed that SEL supported students’ development of self-awareness, self-management, and more. These opportunities help students to develop social skills, which are crucial for both personal and professional success.
Development of Social Identity
Social identity is defined as personal characteristics that “one claims and displays to others so consistently that they are considered to be part of one’s self” (APA). A study conducted by Mitic et al. (2020) showed that supportive peer relationships develop social identity. This contributes to the development of social skills, empathy, and a sense of community established by those relationships. Also, co-curricular and extracurricular activities play an important role in students’ education. From sports and clubs to arts and academic disciplines, students are encouraged to explore their interests and talents. This results in the personal interests and social affiliations from those activities to become part of one’s identity. Educational curricula, especially those in humanities and social science disciplines, often include discussions on cultural, ethnic, and social issues, which encourages reflection of students’ own backgrounds. These factors all significantly foster the development of social identity through education.
Acceptance of Different Cultures and Perspectives
Education significantly exposes adolescents to diverse cultures and perspectives. From taking history courses to discussions with their peers, these educational opportunities enable adolescents to learn different perspectives and cultures. According to research conducted by Schachner et al. (2019), they have found that schools’ commitment to representation of different cultures and perspectives has led to less perceived discrimination and higher acceptance of new cultures. We live in a globalized world, and this skill is very crucial to have.