In 2017, an expert team of educationalists, entrepreneurs, and social scientists in India and in the US with extensive Indian experience began designing and developing a program to build and enhance these five attributes (non-cognitive skills) among students. The program philosophy was predicated on eminent American psychologist Dr. Carol Dweck‘s 30 years of research on what is now well known as the Growth Mindset. The Growth Mindset says non-cognitive qualities or soft skills can be acquired through purposeful practice. The program thus employed active learning techniques that included a minimum of theory or lecture but provided opportunities to participate and practice various techniques in the sessions. 

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The program consists of two parts - the first consisting of five sessions of two hours each (one for each pillar): Conscientiousness, Innovativeness, Perseverance, Taking Initiative and Problem Solving. It also covers Setting Norms for conducting team and group exercises sprinkled throughout the sessions.

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This is followed by semester-long student-led activities that help develop and practice the five pillars on an ongoing basis. The activities include discussion forums on the five pillars, mentoring, exercises, feedback, group projects, etc. This is capped by a 'Capstone' project by student teams that identify a relevant, real-world issue/problem and practice all the five pillars in pursuit of an innovative and practical solution.

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Here is how the program is structured:

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• Designed for college students (completed high school), preferably 3rd and 4th year undergraduate or post-graduate students.

• Consists of approximately 2-3 days of classroom engagement, clubbed together on consecutive days or spread out over a longer period of several 4-hour classes.

• Program consists of student-centered, interactive classroom instruction, and off-class exercises, reinforcement, team projects, etc. aimed at cementing the classroom training. Off-class work is supported by FLY Facilitators remotely and/or via occasional classroom engagement.

• Course duration is approx. one semester or term (16-18 weeks).

• Maximum 36 students per class – because of the interactive nature of the classes. Multiple classes can of course be arranged for additional students.

• Recommended start of classes at start of the semester.

 

CMI provides all instructions, facilitators/teachers, etc. Schools will need to provide classrooms, A/V equipment, miscellaneous copies of students materials, etc.

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