In the classroom, discussion of case studies, research and writing, and testing are widely accepted methods for teaching and evaluating technical skills. Group projects are common in many disciplines. Most students learn behaviors the enable them to survive in this environment. Most students rarely consider how their group functions, as the emphasis is on completing the project, not the group process. Students are operating in the job skills and functional skills area and not in the adaptive area.
Adaptive skills are more elusive and tend to be more difficult to grasp.
Interpersonal relationships, working in a group, and effectively supervising others are examples of adaptive skills. The ability of an individual is inevitability related to this hierarchy. Ability can be sub-divided into two categories, namely skills and knowledge. Skills are the how-to of a role. Skills are capabilities that can be transferred from person to person.