THE IMPORTANCE OF SOFT SKILLS IN EDUCATION AND TECHNOLOGICAL INTEGRATION Inomkhojaeva Shodiyakhon Abdukodirkhoja qizi BEAP lecturer at Westminster International

Аннотация

The article discusses Soft skills, including communication, problem-solving, and emotional intelligence, which are crucial for personal growth, employability, and social cohesion. Educational programs increasingly emphasize integrating these skills, though definitions and teaching methods vary. It also mentions that Project-Based Learning (PBL) and technology, like Google Classroom, enhance soft skill development through collaboration, feedback, and real-world tasks. However, challenges remain in standardizing soft skill assessments and curricula. Policymakers and educators must innovate frameworks and teaching methods to prepare students for a complex world, combining technical knowledge with essential soft skills. Keywords: Soft Skills, Education, Technological Integration, Project-Based Learning, Google Classroom. Contemporary educational paradigms go beyond academics and cognitive skills. Integrating "soft" or "non-cognitive" abilities into educational courses has broadened learning. Soft skills—communication, collaboration, flexibility, problem-solving, and emotional intelligence—are non-cognitive qualities. Success in life and work increasingly requires these talents. These talents meet individual and social requirements, according to Cinque (2016) and the Indicators Project. Educational academics and organizations advocate integrating non- cognitive talents into curricular solutions. In addition to personal progress, these skills promote social cohesiveness and economic growth (Heckman & Kautz, 2012; OECD, 2015). Different interpretations and definitions of soft skills capture different parts of the issue. According to Lippman et al. (2015), soft skills are a comprehensive collection of abilities, competences, behaviors, attitudes, and personal traits that help individuals navigate their environment, collaborate, perform, and accomplish their objectives. According to Yorke (2006), soft skills include attitudes, understandings, traits, and practices. These definitions show how soft talents affect many facets of life. Workforce shifts emphasize soft skills in schooling. Companies respect soft talents as much as technical ones. The Deloitte (2017) survey anticipated that two-thirds of employment would be soft-skills-intensive by 2030. This change shows how important interpersonal and intrapersonal abilities are in a globalized, technology environment. Soft skills development is both an individual and strategic economic need (Balcar, 2016). Soft skills are increasingly valued in educational programs globally. Countries and educational systems tackle this issue differently, which presents complications. Some educational systems have integrated soft skills well, whereas others are only starting to realise their importance (Cinque, 2014). Soft skills are crucial to education, and this article discusses their definitions, inclusion in curriculum, teaching and assessment methods, and impediments to their integration. 7 YOSH OLIMLAR ILMIY-AMALIY KONFERENSIYASI in-academy.uz/index.php/yo There are three basic reasons to teach soft skills. Soft skills improve productivity and employability economically. The workplace benefits from strong soft skills, which complement technical talents and improve cooperation, communication, and problem-solving. As Hanushek et al. (2015) observed, superior soft skills lead to higher pay and better job chances. Soft talents foster personal growth and social conversation. Students learn social responsibility and community building at soft skills schools. Addressing environmental deterioration and income imbalance involves empathy and conflict resolution (Coleman, 2007). Mental health and relationships depend on soft skills like emotional intelligence and empathy (Goleman, 1995; Goleman et al., 2008). Educating well-rounded people who can benefit society requires soft skills. The value of soft skills extends beyond personal development and ethical conduct to encouraging favorable society attitudes (UNESCO, 2015). Soft skills education promotes critical thinking, creativity, and lifelong learning, which are crucial for understanding today's complicated issues (Woolley et al., 2010). Soft talents are valued, yet there is no common definition. These talents are classified differently by frameworks. Touloumakos (2020) identified ten soft skills: qualities and values (adaptability, integrity), willingness and preferences (motivation to learn), method skills (problem-solving), leadership and management skills (self-awareness), interpersonal skills (skills, teamwork), communication skills (negotiation, conflict resolution), and cognitive abilities. This classification shows soft skills' versatility. Education and policymakers may determine student skills by using Robles (2012)'s six kinds. Soft skill instruction must be integrated into the whole educational experience. Parallel and integrated techniques are used to teach soft skills in schools (Yorke & Knight, 2004). Parallel soft skill ac