Implementation of the E-learning Experience in the Career Academy

ModelKaryn VaivodaPost University

Human Services

Health Services Information Technology

Waterbury Career Academy INTRODUCTIONIn a safe and welcoming environment, WCAHS teachers will work cooperatively with families and members of the community to promote high academic standards and provide a comprehensive, skills-based career education utilizing 21st century competencies to prepare our students for post secondary education and employment options and opportunities in order to become critical thinkers, learners, workers and

community contributors. Online coursework, or “E-learning” will be a part of this 21st century learning experience!

(Admin, 2013. WCA)

Why use Career Academy models in the first place?

Futurists use scanning techniques to seek out technological advancements that will impact their organization. Events themselves do not signify change for the scanner; instead, they seek to understand how futuristic opportunities can become realities that will enhance their programs.

The Career Academy Model has been the subject of many scanning studies over a 30 year period. Target participants in scanning samples are high school students in at-risk schools and school districts with high drop-out and unemployment rates. STATISTICS of High Risk Groups*

ACADEMY NON-ACADEMY

Drop out rates 21% 32% Attendance 82% 76%Satisfied high school requirements 40% 26%Applied to 2-4 year college 51% 35%Base pay of males $212 greater than NON-Academy males per week

The Career Academy student attends college 16% over the non-academy student! It is our obligation to prepare them for college

and online learning! ( J.Kemple & J.

Snipes,2000)

A CALL TO ACTIONCOLLEGE TRENDS TODAY…

75%of all colleges say online courses

are now necessary for their survival!

GOODBYE

HELLO

(Project Tomorrow. 2009)(D. Wheeler, 2014)

Superintendent’s Report offers scenarios on the high school level

-Kathleen Oullette

2012(Oullette, 2013) “What is the rest of Connecticut doing?”

92 out of 258 high schools in Connecticut are registeredwith The Virtual High School!

11 are Academy schools4 are Magnet schools7 are middle schools

1 is an elementary school(“Virtual”, 2013)

Who is the high school online

candidate?

Students who are “self-managers”

AthletesPerformersStudents with Special NeedsHomebound StudentsStudents who workCollege bound studentsStudents who need credit recovery

What does this mean for the Waterbury Career Academy?

Waterbury Career Academy Class of 2019

Scenario: Every student enrolled at the WCA must complete one online course prior to graduation.

Rationale: Students will be prepared for the increasing demands of online learning prior to attending any postsecondary education facility. (WFS, 2013)

Materials available:7 computer labs + library computers244+ online computers available for student use Smartboards with accessories in every classroom

Staff Needed: One trained proctor for each grade level . Proctor meets with students once a week for 50 minutes to offer support and answer questions students may have. Admin (2013)

Looking into the future…

Earn college credit 47%Work at my own pace 44%Take class not offered at my school 40%Complete HS requirements 37%Get extra help in a subject 36%Fit my schedule 34%Easier for me to learn in an online class 15%

HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS SPEAK UP ABOUT REASONS FOR TAKING ONLINE CLASSES

45,000 available high school online courses in 2000 3,000,000 available in 2009 ASK YOURSELF, AM

I PREPARED FOR ONLINE LEARNING

AS OF RIGHT NOW?

Project Tomorrow (2103)

REFERENCES

Admin. (2013). Horizon Report. USA: New Media Consortium and EDUCAUSE Learning Initiative.

Admin. (2013). Waterbury Career Academy High School. Retrieved from http://www.waterbury.k12.ct.us: http://www.waterbury.k12.ct.us/subsite/wchDeBraga, J. (2010, November 19). A+ Success Story. Retrieved from: http://www.backbonecommunications.com/news/a-success-story-2010-elko-county-elko-high-school-nevada-online-alternative-adult-distance-education-high-school-credit-recovery-programJ. Kemple & J. Snipes. (2000). Career Academies: Impacts on Student Engagement and Performance in High School. New York: Manpower Demonstration Research Corporation

REFERENCES (cont.)

J. Kemple & J. Snipes. (2000). Career Academies: Impacts on Student Engagement and Performance in High School. New York: Manpower Demonstration Research Corporation

Oullette, K. (2012, September 12 , p. 25-30). Overall District Improvement Strategy. Retrieved from State Department of Education: http://www.sde.ct.gov/sde/lib/sde/pdf/alliance_districts/Waterbury_application_2012.pdf

Reidel, C. (2014, February 11). Using Online and Blended Learning to Help Students Design Their Educational Experience. Retrieved from the JOURNAL: http://thejournal.com/articles/2013/12/13/the-10-biggest-trends-in-ed-tech.aspx

Tomorrow, P. (2009). Learning in the 21st Century; 2009 Trends Update. Retrieved from Tomorrow.org: http://www.tomorrow.org/speakup/EngagedEmpoweredEnabled.html

REFERENCES (cont.)Tomorrow, P. (2013). Creating Our Future: Students Speak up about their Vision for Learning. Retrieved from www.tomorrow.org: http://www.tomorrow.org/speakup/pdfs/SU09NationalFindingsStudents&Parents.pdf

Wheeler, D. (2014, February 3). Will online classes make professors extinct? Retrieved from http://www.cnn.com/2013/11/25/opinion/wheeler-tenured-professors/

"Virtual". (2013). The Virtual High School. Retrieved from http://thevhscollaborative.org/

WFS. (2013). Scanning and Scenarios. Retrieved from World Future Society: http://www.wfs.org/methods