Blog

How a NYC High School is Preparing Students to be Future-Ready

Steve Waddell • Nov 29, 2023

At CTeLearning, we love to highlight success stories of our students and teachers who are doing great work. Today we are featuring an interview with Ian Kilpatrick, who teaches at the High School of Fashion Industries in Manhattan, New York City. The students in his Computer Science course will be working through our Web Design, Web Game Design and Remote Working Professional curriculum and learning technical and soft skills that will help them in their future career pathways, no matter what they do.

These courses are preparing Ian’s students as part of the FutureReadyNYC (FRNYC) initiative. FRNYC integrates the best of college and career preparation to successfully launch students into strong careers in high-wage and high-demand sectors. Teachers only get a brief time in the lives of their students to prepare them, and every teacher desires to make their students future-ready.

As part of the project-based learning experience, Ian’s students build key 21st century skills like critical thinking, problem solving, design process, project management, computational thinking and collaboration. This is all done through the sequence of courses that show students how to apply all the skills they are learning to build, create and solve problems for clients. In addition to Web Design and Web Game Design, students will also be working through the Remote Working Professional course and certification to prepare for success outside of the office and be adaptable to future changes in work environments. Each course features a separate certification that helps students build credentials for their futures, whether they pursue 2-year or 4-year educational programs or enter the workforce directly.

All courses include the Capstone Program, which allows students to experience what it is like to have a career. Students have the chance to participate and learn from a career experience that includes bosses, co-workers, and clients. The product they create, which can be a website, mobile app or animation, solves a real-world problem and has a real target audience. Students learn the technical and soft skills of a particular career, and then they take that career for a test drive all from the safety and security of their school. In working through these courses and earring certifications, students build real-world projects that they can utilize as the basis for future professional portfolios.

Let’s hear from Ian to see how our courseware and career-building approach is helping his students.

What has your experience been like teaching the Web Design and Web Game Design curriculum?

We have only had the chance to experience the Web Game Design course so far, but the experience has been phenomenal. The team at CTeLearning has been amazing and treats us like family. The students have really enjoyed seeing so many different aspects of the game world. I have enjoyed seeing students who maybe did not have the most success with coding last year really shine in making music or characters for games. There are so many different avenues for students to find access and enjoy the course.

How have your students succeeded in learning web design and web game design?

The students walk around the room and interact with each other. They love to check out what other students are working on at their computers. There is so much interaction and collaboration happening in the room. The students are not just stuck in their chairs for the entire class time, and they have the freedom to be creative and take each lesson/lab as far as they want. They are having so much fun while at the same time learning so much. It’s not a grind, and it feels effortless at times.

How did your students react when they found out they would be earning professional industry certifications?

The students were quite impressed to learn that they would be earning industry certifications throughout their work this year. The students who see a future in this industry are really pumped and know that they are setting themselves apart with this opportunity. They are starting to imagine life after school working in this industry. It brings a realism to this course knowing they can work hard and be on their way to a great career.

Why do you think this approach to certifications is better than the model that teaches for a test?

In this school, students in the other majors such as fashion and art must take traditional exams. We see problems with that approach, including students burning out on being taught to simply pass the test. There is often test anxiety for students who we can see are bright and prepared but just blank on the day of the exam. To look at their progress over the year and see they have put together the work/portfolio and have learned what is required is a much better model that should be the norm.

What does it mean to you and your administration that you are preparing your students for in-demand and high-paying career paths?

The school has been thrilled with this chance to offer a new major. To see students training for such an in-demand field is what this school was built on. Sadly some of the original industries that this school was founded on are dying away, so to create something new and enter the 21st century gives hope for where this school can go.

As a teacher, what did you learn by watching your students work through the Text Adventure game activity?

Simply how creative my students are. They began the project slowly and a little unsure what to do. They don’t often get such freedom to create while in school. But once the ideas started coming, there was an explosion in this room with energy. Students kept growing their story, having classmates demo what they had, and bouncing ideas off of each other. I could see how you could spend a lot of time letting students work on their story. They had so much fun creating various endings and traps or just a fun story to share with family and friends.

What did you like about the lessons with the professional authors giving insights into how to write a powerful character-driven story?

I think it is great that the students can hear straight from the source what it takes to make a powerful story. No matter how much I say or how compelling I am, I will never have the same level of cache as someone who lives and works in these industries.

What is the big takeaway from the Text Adventure game development activity you hope your students will remember?

I hope they leave that activity with a sense of excitement and wonder what they can learn to go back and make their story better. Also, I enjoy seeing them have a sense of personal ownership that they created that story. And now they have joined a membership of creators who they can, even in a small way, relate to.

How many girls do you have in your class, and what is it like seeing them realize that anyone can succeed in STEM careers?

In a class of 20, I have 14 female students. However, in this school that is the norm as we are 90%+ female. To see the success they are having, the joy as they learn something new and the determination they have to join this field and create their own path is super rewarding. I already have numerous students who have graduated who have gone into Computer Science majors and might not have had that chance without taking these sorts of classes. The industry will only get better as the diversity grows.

How have you enjoyed working with the team at CTeLearning?

The team at CTeLearning has exceeded my expectations behind belief. I have never worked with such a helpful and accommodating team before. Usually you work with a faceless company, but that is not the case here. I know I can reach out to the team for anything and they will get in touch and help me through any issues. It really feels like they work at this school and I can walk down the hallway anytime I have a question. We may be hundreds of miles apart but it feels like they are down the hall. They really care about making a great product and making sure everyone has the tools they need to succeed. Their team is helping the next generation to go into these fields.

Wrap-Up

New York City has a terrific approach to career and technical education. If you want to learn more about FRNYC and how CTeLearning can help you get your students future ready, click here or call us at 913-764-4272 for a free 30-minute demo of our courses and certifications. And stay tuned for a future article featuring insights from Ian’s students.

< Older Post

Newer Post >

Get in touch with us today!

You can book a demo directly using Calendly, call us directly at 913-764-4272 or 877-828-1216, or submit the form below and we will reach out to you.

We look forward to helping you and your students.

Most Recent Posts

How CTeLearning is Helping to Run SkillsUSA State Web Design and Development Competitions

By Steve Waddell • 25 May, 2024

For the past few years, members of the CTeLearning team have been helping Web Professionals Global in running the national SkillsUSA competition in Atlanta, GA. Last year, we branched out into assisting with state competitions that prepare students for the national competition. Since we started working directly with states in 2022, we have seen the level of competition improve significantly at both the state level and national level. Students are better prepared than ever to hit the ground running on day one and contribute to team success. In the spring of 2024 we helped facilitate competitions in Washington, South Carolina, Arizona, Rhode Island, Vermont, Texas, Nevada, Florida, Kentucky, Kansas, Oregon, Oklahoma and Illinois. Web Professionals Global does all the heavy lifting and supplies the state SkillsUSA events with the following: Online web design exam similar to what the competitors might see at nationals Competition project with client assets and judging rubric Handouts for competitors with overview and links to resources Online development environment “IDE” for each competitive team Support for judges and competition chairs CTeLearning’s big contribution is loaning our CloudCodePro IDE (integrated development environment) so that each competitor has their own online coding environment that is connected to our TeacherView. This allows the judges to have live access, making it easier for them to judge each team’s work. We also loan Steve, and he ends up roping some of our other team members in to help as needed. We enjoy doing our part to help the State SkillsUSA programs. We are glad that we get to partner with Web Professionals Global and help them deliver a turnkey competition that not only makes running the state competitions easier (rather than have the burden of creating the competition from scratch), but also models the national event so the state teams get a feel for the rigor of the national competition, whether students are participating in-person or remotely. Using our CloudCodePro IDE with the TeacherView also helps encourage judge participation. This is often due to needing to travel across the state and be out of the office a day or two. Our model gives states the chance to have judges assess participants from anywhere in the state. Many states struggle with getting industry help, let alone people willing to commit to hanging around late to judge. We make it easy for judges to participate from anywhere. The Day of the Competition Let’s look at how the IL competition ran to see how our package makes life easier for the teams, volunteers and judges that make each state competition happen. The Illinois competition on April 25, 2024 is representative of what other state SkillsUSA programs experience when they work with CTeLearning and Web Professionals Global. First, the Illinois SkillsUSA team contacted us to schedule the state competition and receive the competition kit. In the following days, the Illinois SkillsUSA team met with our team to get trained on what to expect on the day of the competition and how to ensure it went smoothly. On the day of the competition, teams showed up to the venue and received handouts outlining how the competition would run. This included an introductory video outlining the online development environments (although most teams don’t need to review much as many are already with online coding environments *such as VSCode ). The team members also logged into their IDE to make sure they were ready to go when the competition began. The IDE also contained the client assets along with a readme file explaining what each team needs to focus on if they want to win the competition (for example, make certain to preview your work to verify images are linked properly). Students were then introduced to their client for the competition and began to analyze the client’s needs, target audience and images and logos they would be using. After this introduction, students began the competition in their teams and started building their websites. Teams are not allowed to use frameworks of any sort (or help from AI), and doing so results in disqualification. We want competitors to use their knowledge and skills to demonstrate their understanding of responsive design, web accessibility and much more. Relying on a framework can hamper this demonstration as frameworks can be relied upon as a crutch. Upon completion of the competition, the judges used the online judging system that we provided. This included a fair and easy-to-use rubric for judging the work of each team. Judges are able to review all teams' work from a single view and can examine the end result or the code directly in the browser. This system ensures a transparent judging process that is consistent with the process that winning teams experience at the national competition. The winners of the Illinois competition were then submitted to the national competition and invited to participate in June. Chat With Us We are proud to be a part of this growing network of state competitions. Feel free to get in touch with us by clicking here or calling us at 913-764-4272 to learn more and have your state take advantage of our solution next year.

Why More Schools are Embracing Career and Technical Education

By Steve Waddell • 25 Apr, 2024

As school choice gains traction across the United States, an increasing number of parents are exploring educational options that extend beyond the traditional public school system. In addition to public schools, private, parochial, charter and Christian schools are increasingly recognizing the shift in student interests away from four-year universities towards more career-oriented education pathways that mitigate the risk of debt. This trend is driving parents towards schools that offer robust career and technical education (CTE) programs alongside the traditional core curriculum and character education found in charter, private, religious, and schools supported through school voucher programs. Career and technical education, when done right, is highly multidisciplinary. Technical skills are merged with history, math, and science and wrapped with the soft skills to better prepare learners for a more complex job market and future. Every career requires technical skills to get hired, but soft skills is what keeps professionals employed and allows them to move up the career ladder. Studies show that a lack of hands-on career exploration in high school is a critical gap, leaving many students unsure about their future paths and more likely to require significant adjustments to their educational trajectories post high school. How We Help At CTeLearning, we specialize in offering a diverse array of CTE courses designed to address these challenges. Our courses are ideal for schools of choice who are looking for easy to facilitate curricula taught by their educators so they can maintain their educational standards. CTE differs from traditional education by focusing on practical, hands-on experiences tailored to specific career pathways. This approach helps bridge the gap between education and employment, equipping learners with the skills and insights needed to thrive in the workforce. Our courses enable schools—including private, parochial, charter and Christian institutions—to provide engaging CTE curricula that expose students to potential career pathways, starting as early as middle school. Our courses include the technical skills and soft skills that industry expects. Each of our curricula include two soft skills modules: Ethics in the Workplace and Critical Thinking in the Workplace. These two interactive modules help fill gaps that many students seem to have in core career skills. To help students get career and college ready, these modules enable your learners to earn industry micro-credentials they can add to their resumes or a college entrance application. Our experience working with students and teachers shows that the project-based learning (PBL) approach is important. The best way to amplify PBL is to emphasize experiential learning and hands-on practical engagement. We enhance PBL by weaving in industry professionals who introduce important concepts and give context to the work and experiences the curriculum offers. By offering students direct engagement with industry professionals and real workplace environments, CTE programs enhance learning retention and deepen students' understanding of how theoretical concepts apply in practical settings. Our curricula are designed to allow students to learn at their own pace while building real-world projects and gain firsthand experience. Students beginning to identify their interests and career goals early on is crucial for making informed decisions in their educational journeys. Families of students in CTE programs report high levels of satisfaction, noting the effective guidance in career readiness that CTE provides, in stark contrast to traditional education pathways. Furthermore, CTE programs contribute to higher graduation rates, with students more likely to graduate on time compared to their peers in traditional settings. These programs also close the skills gap in the U.S. economy by aligning curriculum with workforce needs, ensuring that graduates are prepared for high-demand occupations in fields like web design, game design, coding, sustainability, animation, marketing and robotics. Our approach allows educators to better prepare and future-proof their students. Industry studies tell us that soft skills, ethics, critical thinking, communication, teamwork, time management and personal leadership are what industry needs, yet these skills seem to be harder and harder to find in graduating students. Taking the time to develop critical thinking within a career context prepares students not just for specific jobs but any career pathway. The world as we know it has a high rate of change and seems to be accelerating. This makes it seemingly impossible for educators to keep up. The turbulence of change makes curricular choices for educators more and more stressful. Our teachers know they can trust us to make sure that they remain on the cutting edge of what industry is looking for, continually updating curricula to reflect the latest industry trends and practices. Teachers and parents around the country are looking for ways to stand out and show more options for learners who may have varied educational trajectories. Foundationally, all parents want their children to learn in an environment that builds their character, confidence, knowledge and readiness for their futures. They want their kids to be adaptable, resilient and independent. Overall, the continual growth of school choice is closely linked to the growing appreciation for CTE as a vital educational pathway. This approach not only meets the immediate training needs of students but also prepares them for long-term career success, making it an attractive option for parents and students alike who are seeking practical, debt-free education alternatives. It is tough being a parent these days. It is tough being an educator these days. Let us make things easier for your school, your teachers and in turn better for your students. Contact us today to find out how we can help by clicking here or calling us at 913-764-4272. Interested in learning more? Check out our recent blog post on the importance of career and technical education.

Is Working in AI a Good Career Choice?

By Joshua Frisch • 18 Mar, 2024

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has emerged as one of the most transformative technologies of the 21st century, revolutionizing industries, improving efficiency, and shaping the future of work. Against this backdrop, the decision to pursue a career in AI has become increasingly appealing for aspiring professionals. Our Artificial Intelligence and Mobile Robotics course teaches a new level of understanding of systems, coding, biology, and behavior to middle school and high school students interested in learning the soft skills and hard skills that will be in demand for decades to come. In this article, we'll explore the compelling reasons why AI is not just a good career choice but a smart one. Unprecedented Growth Opportunities The AI industry is experiencing unprecedented growth, driven by advancements in machine learning, deep learning, and other AI subfields. According to market research, the global AI market is expected to reach a value of $190 billion by 2025, with AI permeating almost every sector, from healthcare and finance to retail and transportation. This rapid expansion translates into abundant job opportunities for AI professionals, ranging from data scientists and machine learning engineers to AI researchers and algorithm developers. With AI becoming increasingly integral to business operations and innovation, the demand for skilled AI talent is expected to continue surging in the years to come. Lucrative Salary Prospects AI professionals command some of the highest salaries in the tech industry, reflecting the scarcity of talent and the critical role of AI in driving business success. According to industry reports, AI specialists, including machine learning engineers and data scientists, can earn six-figure salaries, with compensation packages often including bonuses, stock options, and other incentives. This financial reward not only reflects the high demand for AI expertise but also underscores the value that companies place on individuals who can leverage AI to drive innovation, optimize processes, and deliver tangible business outcomes. For aspiring professionals seeking a lucrative and rewarding career path, AI offers unparalleled salary prospects and financial stability. Diverse Career Opportunities One of the most attractive features of pursuing a career in AI is the diverse range of career opportunities it offers. AI encompasses various subfields, including natural language processing, computer vision, robotics, and reinforcement learning, each presenting unique challenges and opportunities for innovation. Whether you're passionate about developing cutting-edge algorithms, building intelligent systems, or applying AI to solve real-world problems, there's a niche within AI where you can thrive. Moreover, AI professionals have the flexibility to work in diverse industries, from tech giants and startups to healthcare organizations and research institutions, allowing them to pursue paths that align with their interests, skills, and aspirations. Impactful Work with Global Reach AI has the potential to address some of the world's most pressing challenges, from healthcare and education to climate change and poverty alleviation. By harnessing the power of AI, professionals can develop innovative solutions that improve lives, enhance productivity, and drive positive societal change. Whether it's developing AI-driven medical diagnostics, optimizing supply chains, or combating climate change through data-driven approaches, AI enables professionals to make a meaningful impact on a global scale. The opportunity to work on projects with real-world significance and contribute to the greater good can be immensely rewarding for individuals who are passionate about leveraging technology for positive change. Continuous Learning and Innovation AI is a rapidly evolving field, characterized by constant innovation, experimentation, and discovery. As an AI professional, you'll have the opportunity to engage in lifelong learning, staying abreast of the latest developments, and honing your skills. Whether it's mastering new algorithms, exploring emerging technologies, or collaborating with experts from diverse disciplines, the journey of learning in AI is both challenging and fulfilling. Moreover, AI offers ample opportunities for creativity and innovation, allowing professionals to push the boundaries of what's possible and develop groundbreaking solutions to complex problems. By embracing a culture of continuous learning and innovation, AI professionals can stay ahead of the curve and remain at the forefront of this dynamic and rapidly evolving field. Start Your Career Today As AI continues to reshape industries and transform the way we live and work, the demand for skilled AI professionals is only expected to grow. For aspiring professionals seeking a rewarding and future-proof career path, AI presents a compelling opportunity to be at the forefront of technological innovation and shape the future of intelligent systems. By leveraging their skills, expertise, and passion for AI, professionals can embark on a journey of discovery, creativity, and impact, making AI not just a good career choice but a smart one. To set up a free demo of our AI and Mobile Robotics course or any of our other courses, call us at 913-764-4272 or schedule directly using Calendly .