This semester, I had the opportunity to continue teaching the advanced strategy analytics course at BYU. It has been incredible to watch the course grow and evolve. I am always blown away by how capable the students are and the caliber of content they can produce.
The most important thing that I have learned from teaching is to focus more on the students’ learning than my delivery of the material. When I find something that works well, it is easy to stop innovating and become comfortable. Every time I try doing something new or different, I am taking a risk and might expose gaps in my knowledge or lack of repetitions with new material. However, without experimenting, my curriculum cannot improve. Experimenting and trying new things at the risk of exposing my own weaknesses is the only way I can better the learning experience for the students. Admitting when I don’t know things and being open about my insufficiencies is also very important. I am very young, I have limited experience teaching, I am not very good at captivating an audience, nor am I an amazing presenter. Sometimes when rewatching my lecture recordings, I cringe at the sound of my own voice and mannerisms.
But teaching is not about me, it’s about what the students get out of it. When I focus on the students and what they get out of the course, it becomes easy for me to forget about myself. Do I still have all the same weaknesses? Of course, but that’s not the focus. The focus is to help the students to develop skills that will help create value in the workplace. I feel like I am at my most effective at teaching when this is my focus.
Special thanks to my Winter 2024 cohort of students, it was a great pleasure this semester to work with all of you! I am excited to stay in touch and see what amazing things you all do in the future!
#byumarriott
Client Partner, Business Analytics, Generative AI
1moHuman decision-making is crucial as it shapes our future, influences personal and professional lives, and involves ethical considerations. It's a powerful tool that requires responsibility and can lead to positive or negative consequences, emphasizing the importance of informed and deliberate choices.