Skills Come First. The Podcast About How to Stay Current

Microcredentials to certify the skills of the future

What is the state of contemporary humans, immersed in new technologies and struggling with digital distractions? How can we fight it? Can literature help restore our focus? These, along with other topics, were discussed by Łukasz Grass and Tomasz Stawiszyński.

The guest of the first episode of the podcast by the Educational Research Institute – National Research Institute was Tomasz Stawiszyński, philosopher, columnist and essayist, author of numerous books, including “Potyczki z Freudem. Mity, pokusy i pułapki psychoterapii” (Sparring with Freud: Myths, Temptations and Pitfalls of Psychotherapy), “Co robić przed końcem świata” (What to Do Before the End of the World) and “Ucieczka od bezradności” (Escape from Helplessness). 

The saving power of literature

“One cannot deny that reflection is not particularly prized these days,” writes Tomasz Stawiszyński in his book “Ucieczka od bezradności”. Yet in a world of instant entertainment, effortless access to information and virtually unlimited choice, it is still possible to remain a person capable of deeper thought. One of the remedies is reading.

“I find it hugely encouraging that at the book fairs I attend, there are crowds of teenagers, mostly girls, waiting in line to get a dedication from their favourite author of young adult fiction. This group shows an impressively strong engagement with reading. These books may not be literary masterpieces, but they often mark a first step into the world of literature,” says the author of “Ucieczka od bezradności.”

Engaging with literature is immensely valuable on many levels. Research confirms the positive impact of so-called ‘deep reading’ on our brains. Reading is the equivalent of a daily workout for the body. But that is not all.

“Literature develops us culturally and psychologically, opening us up to other people. It teaches us how to understand them, how to engage with them more deeply, and helps us develop mentalisation, the ability to recognise the subjectivity of other people. Literature is the only way we know to look inside someone else’s mind,” explains Stawiszyński.

Digital distraction and how to fight it

A growing problem today is the inability to concentrate, a skill required, for example, for reading. Tomasz Stawiszyński believes that this problem can be partly solved by using the same tools that often distract us to train our focus. How is that possible?

“Using new media to deliver content that is educational and requires concentration is a good idea. At the same time, it’s essential to place certain limits on, for example, social media,” he argues.

According to Stawiszyński, another way of addressing both digital distraction and low literacy levels in Poland, especially among young people, is to update the methods of teaching Polish literature in schools.

“One method of cultivating a love for literature is to encourage students to read texts that are truly interesting to them and make them completely engaged with the story. A significant portion of the current school reading canon often has the opposite effect. It’s not about removing the classics from the curriculum, but about finding ways to present them engagingly and appealingly,” argues Stawiszyński. 

Microcredentials and the skills of the future

As more and more people struggle with focus and reading comprehension, and, as a result of these, with drawing conclusions, in-depth reflection, and constructing coherent arguments, these skills are becoming invaluable. They are increasingly recognised as so-called “skills of the future,” essential for thriving in a fast-changing educational and professional environment.

Microcredentials can offer a flexible and precise way to validate specific skills, such as reading comprehension or critical thinking. Unlike traditional diplomas, microcredentials can document the development of individual, highly specific competencies – including soft skills.

Listen to the full episode now!