Lyndy Higgins

In the business world innovation and teamwork is what moves the company forward. Teaching students these skills helps them become hirable. 

Working in small team groups helps students learn how to effectively work together. It also helps students to use their strengths to guide the project to its completeion. 

So far in this course, I have learned how important critical thinking/ soft skills are in the workplace. Students need to understand that being able to identify the problem and think through is a key part of being hireable. 

Having lab activities and hands-on learning helps students visualize the goal. I enjoy lab days and watching the lightbulb click and the student(s) put everything together. Pictures are a 2D world and the information sometimes cannot build a real connection to all the information. 

I used SWOT analysis in business administration and I have adapted it to my lesson plans and after lesson revisions. This has helped with stronger lesson development and revising my lessons to fit specific class style. 

I have learned to create an active learning environment in the classroom by having my room set up with round tables that create workgroups. Giving students to work together and having peer-to-peer conversations and projects give the chance for mentorships and learning growth from peers. 

There needs to student engagement. I saw the difference in my students from virtual learning, to hybrid learning, to full in-class learning. In each stage, there were specific restrictions that they had to follow while on campus.  I know that when we are passed COVID there will be a difference in student interaction and engagement in the classroom. Students need hands-on interaction and accessibility to project-based learning with touching and seeing how it works. 

It is important to recognize the signs of emotional and physical trauma in students. Teachers also need to take care of themselves in order to keep their own emotions in check. 

As a teacher, my role is to not only contact admin and counselors but also offer support to the student. 

When PTSD is not addressed students just down and this affects their quality of life.