Document Type
Presentation
Publication Date
Spring 4-24-2025
Faculty Mentor
Michelle Woodbury
Abstract
Objective:
As students transition from high school to their next step, they are expected to demonstrate a different and often higher level of professional skills to successfully navigate their new roles. Existing research identifies these skills as highly valuable in industry and education, however there is a gap in research and resources that focus on high school students developing these essential skills. This quality improvement project focused on the development of a toolkit to fill this gap, providing an explicit, student-centered resource for professional skill development.
Methods:
The development of the Professional Skills Student Toolkit utilized established theoretical frameworks and self-assessment tools to ensure a comprehensive approach to facilitate student learning. The completed toolkit was presented to educators and students at Cherry Creek Innovation Campus (CCIC) in Centennial, CO to collect user experience data and perceptions of the toolkit's potential classroom impact. Participants were asked to complete a voluntary, anonymous survey which collected User Experience Questionnaire (UEQ) data from everyone, and Acceptability of Intervention Measures (AIM), and Feasibility of Intervention Measures (FIM) from educators.
Results:
A total of 69 survey responses were collected from students (n=46) and educators (n=23) to evaluate the user experience and potential classroom use of the toolkit. Analysis of the UEQ data demonstrated positive mean values across all six categories. Both students and educators identified attractiveness and stimulation as the highest-rated aspects. However, differences emerged in the third highest-rated category: students' UEQ results emphasized the toolkit's perspicuity, while educators identified its dependability. Over 90% of students stated the toolkit would keep them “engaged” or “extremely engaged” in professional skills learning in the classroom. Overall educators reported high levels of acceptability (AIM mean 3.63) and feasibility (FIM mean 3.53) to implement the toolkit. These results indicate that students
Conclusion:
Initial user experience data of the Professional Skills Student Toolkit shows students report the toolkit feels motivating to engage with and easy to navigate while educators report the toolkit feels secure and predictable. Both students and educators indicate the toolkit would be easily implemented and an engaging tool in the classroom. These results indicate the toolkit has the potential to enhance students’ confidence and preparedness for their future roles outside of high school, while also equipping educators with tools to effectively facilitate professional skill building.
Recommended Citation
McCain, Makenzie J., "Facilitating Student Advancement: A High School Toolkit for Developing Professional Skills" (2025). Post-Professional Occupational Therapy Doctorate - Innovations in OT Symposium: Transforming Possibilities into Practice. 19.
https://medica-musc.researchcommons.org/muscotd-ppotd/19
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Educational Assessment, Evaluation, and Research Commons, Educational Methods Commons, Occupational Therapy Commons