What was the goal?
The goal of the project was to examine students’ perceptions of a newly introduced school branch called “Global Skills” in a High School in Vienna’s 9th district. The Global Skills branch was created in response to declining enrollment numbers, aiming to offer a more attractive program focused on skills advantageous in an increasingly globalized world. The project investigated three specific areas: why students chose the Global Skills branch, to what extent their expectations were being met, and how they assessed its effectiveness in achieving its educational objectives.
How did the project proceed?
The project employed a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative data collection through an online survey with qualitative data gathered through group interviews with students.
What were the results?
Overall, the Global Skills program was perceived positively by students. Practically oriented content was particularly praised, such as spontaneous interviews with people in a park near the school. In contrast, theory-heavy sessions that mostly took place in the classroom received less favorable evaluations. Students expressed a clear desire for practical, life-relevant content, such as learning new languages, developing a reflective approach to social media, and understanding how to handle taxes. This preference was evident both in students’ reasons for choosing the branch and in the extent to which their expectations were fulfilled. Nevertheless, some students expressed a wish for even more practical application or greater contact with other cultures, for example through stays abroad. The project concluded that while both academia and policymakers have recognized the importance of preparing young people for a globalized world, learners’ own perspectives on this topic remain largely under-researched, making this study a valuable contribution to understanding how students perceive a school program focused on global skills.