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Dilay Aykut

An In-Depth Look at Applied Skills at Sentinel!


As Sentinel students, we greatly value the importance of working hard in our academic courses and continuously challenging ourselves with new material. Yet we are also fortunate enough to be offered a wide variety of applied skills courses that allow us to pursue our passions, discover new interests and expand our skill sets in various ways!



The applied skills courses that are offered to us are the following:


Business Education

  • Entrepreneurship and Marketing 8 and 10

  • Entrepreneurship and Promotion 11

  • E-Commerce 12

  • Accounting 11 and 12

  • Economics 12


Home Economics

  • Textiles 8-9 and 11-12

  • Food Studies 9

  • Foods and Nutrition 11-12

  • BAA Fashion Industry 12 - Blended Learning


Information Technology

  • Computers and Communication Devices 8

  • Information and Communications Technologies 9

  • Computer Studies 10

  • Computer Information Systems 11 and 12

  • AP Computer Science A 12


Technology Education

  • Woodwork 8-12

  • Drafting 11 and 12



To provide some anecdotal insight, we’ve been able to get in touch with a few grade 11 students who were willing to share their personal experiences in this diverse range of courses!


Q.1: Which applied skills class are you currently enrolled in and why did you choose it?


A.1, Erin - Woodwork 11: The applied skills course in which I am enrolled in this year is Woodwork 11. I chose to continue this course because I’ve always liked working with my hands, and we get the chance to make whatever we want in that class -- as well as learn to use all the machines.

Q.2: Do you feel as if this course has provided you with skills that you can apply in your day-to-day life?


A.2, Christie - Economics 12: This course has definitely built skills that are utilized every day. Although often misconceived, economics is less about business, marketing, and more complex topics and actually focuses on the study of how we can make smart decisions that give us the greatest benefit. This is not only limited to purchases with money but also emphasizes how time and other resources are valuable and should be considered as well. One key idea that has stuck with me is that for every decision you make, there will be something being given up, whether it be a monetary cost or a non-tangible experience! Now, I am more aware of the decisions that I make in my day-to-day life.


Q.3: What is your favourite unit/project you’ve covered so far in this course?


A.3, Farah - Foods and Nutrition 12: My favourite unit, I would have to say, was our macronutrients and healthy eating unit. Specifically, I found it fascinating when we watched a documentary concerning the fast-food issue and the diabetes epidemic in the USA. It allowed me to learn a lot about how the little things we eat can build-up, as well as how quickly they can start damaging our health.


Q.4: If you could change one aspect of the course you're taking, what would it be?


A.4, Christie - Economics 12: If I could change one aspect of the course, I would prefer for it to be less heavily academic. Although it is an Applied Skills course that is often considered more “relaxed”, realistically, Economics 12 is very educational and requires a strong work ethic in order to gain a deeper understanding of the course content. It may be difficult to balance this class on top of many other academic courses, but in the end, it’s worth it because of the fascinating and useful information. The current teacher, Ms Shannon Gray, does an excellent job at teaching the course content in a fashion that is beneficial to students.


Q.5: Would you recommend this course to other students for when they’re in grade 11?


A.5, Farah - Foods and Nutrition 12: I would recommend this course for other students because I find it very fun, as well as informative. Additionally, as a perk, you get a lot of free food!


A.5, Erin - Woodwork 11: I would definitely recommend this course to any student who enjoys kinetic learning and likes to be creative although I would recommend that you take this course for all the years previous so that you understand how the machines work and you have more confidence working with them when you get to the older grades.



We hope that some of the voices from our student body were able to provide you with further information regarding the many applied skills courses being taught here at Sentinel.


Conveniently, course selections for the 2020/2021 school year are now in full swing! That being said, let’s challenge ourselves this year by pursuing a potential interest, expanding the horizon of our knowledge and possibly discovering new favourite hobbies through enrolling in an applied skills course!


In the words of author and activist, Emmily Vara, “Never stop learning, because life never stops teaching”.

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