Exploring the Role of Soft Skills in Business Students' Online Learning Experiences and Outcomes

• In Event: Marriott Roundtable Session 77
  In Roundtable Session: Continuous Improvement of Students’ Online Learning Experiences

Abstract

While more and more online classes are offered in business schools, the role of soft skills (self-regulation, motivation, and social skills) and how it’s related to learning outcomes in online classes seem important. The purpose of the study was to investigate how undergraduate and graduate business management students, as well as those who had manager role in their career and who did not, differ on levels of soft skills after gender was controlled. In addition, this study also sought to investigate how students’ levels of soft skills were particularly related to their learning performances. The results indicated graduate students and students with managing experiences demonstrated higher level soft skills. Also, soft skills were positively correlated to students’ learning performances.

Authors

• Hungwei Tseng, Jacksonville State University

• Xiang Yi, Jacksonville State University

• Hsin-Te Yeh, Metropolitan State University of Denver