CTeLearning

Beyond the Grade: Earning International Industry Certifications in the Animation Classroom

Mon, 27 Apr 2026 01:00:46 GMT

Bridging the Gap Between the Classroom and the Global Digital Economy Through Industry-Recognized Credentials

In the rapidly evolving landscape of Career and Technical Education (CTE), one classroom in Victorville, California, is setting a national gold standard for what it means to be truly college and career ready. At Lakeview Leadership Academy High School, CTE and Fine Arts instructor Nikki Jarvis is doing more than just teaching students how to move objects across a screen—she is launching professional careers in the global digital economy.

By leveraging CTeLearning’s specialized curriculum, Nikki is helping her students achieve a feat that many professionals spend years striving for: earning the Certified Web Animator credential from our association partner, Web Professionals Global. This achievement proves that with the right mentorship and industry-standard tools, high school learners can meet, and often exceed, international benchmarks for technical excellence.

A Legacy of Excellence in Animation and STEM Instruction

Nikki’s success is built on a foundation of high expectations, creative excitement and mentoring with experience teaching her animation scholars. Each year, she utilizes CTeLearning’s Web and Computer Animation course to immerse her students in a media-rich, project-based learning environment. This isn't just a traditional elective where students dabble in software; it is a rigorous professional journey that culminates in International Industry-Recognized Certifications (IIRC). In a world where digital skills are the new currency, these credentials are far more than just participation trophies—they are validated proof of a student's technical, creative, and professional mastery.

Celebrating the Class of 2026: Our Newest Members of the Certified Elite

At CTeLearning, we believe in celebrating the tangible wins of the students we serve. We are incredibly proud to highlight the latest group of learners from Lakeview Leadership Academy who have met the stringent requirements of the professional industry. These seven individuals have already completed their course and certification requirements, officially earning their place among the next generation of certified web professionals:

Addyson
Ayleen
Frank
Julian
Maribella
Ruby
Zaylie

While these seven students have crossed the finish line early in the semester, they are just the vanguard. Thanks to Nikki’s expert facilitation and the students' relentless drive, the classroom is currently on track to have close to 20 certification earners by the end of the school year. This high success rate is a testament to the effectiveness of a curriculum that balances high-level technical complexity with an accessible, student-centered approach. It shows that when students see the light at the end of the tunnel—a professional credential—they are willing to put in the work to get there.

The Real-World Value of Professional Industry Certifications

In today’s competitive job market, a high school diploma is a starting point, but an industry-recognized credential is a differentiator. Employers are increasingly looking for proof of work rather than just a grade on a transcript. As Mark DuBois, Executive Director of Web Professionals Global, frequently emphasizes, certifications from professional industry associations carry significantly more weight than those issued by generic testing companies.

When a student like Frank or Maribella walks into a college interview or a job application session with a Certified Web Animator credential, they are demonstrating three critical pillars of success:

Technical Proficiency: They have mastered the complex principles of animation, from timing and spacing to digital asset management.
Soft Skills: They have proven their excellence in problem-solving, ethical decision-making, and storytelling—the human skills that AI cannot replace.
Grit and Reliability: Completing a certification of this caliber requires discipline and the ability to meet high-stakes deadlines, qualities that every employer craves.

How CTeLearning Powers Student Success: The Virtual Internship Model

The success in Nikki’s classroom is driven by the virtual internship model integrated into the CTeLearning curriculum. This instructional design moves beyond rote memorization. Instead, it places students in interactive, story-based projects where they act as junior animators for a simulated agency.

They aren't just watching video tutorials; they are solving client problems, managing project timelines, and creating a portfolio of work that reflects professional standards. For students like Addyson and Zaylie, this immersion changes their entire future outlook. As previous certification recipients have shared, earning an international credential provides a massive boost in confidence. It transforms what might have been a hobby into a career path, making the dream of working in the high-growth animation, game design, or tech sectors feel achievable and real.

A Community Committed to CTE and Workforce Development

Building a successful CTE program requires a village. The achievements at Lakeview Leadership Academy are a testament to the support of the school’s administration. Their vision for a tech-forward, career-ready student body has allowed Nikki’s program to flourish, even through the challenges of modern education.

Additionally, the partnership between CTeLearning and Web Professionals Global ensures that these life-changing opportunities are accessible to all. Through industry-backed grants and support, the financial barriers to high-stakes certification exams are removed, allowing students to focus purely on their learning and their future. This is equity in action: providing every student, regardless of background, with the keys to a high-paying, high-demand career.

The Invitation to the Next Generation

The impact of this program reaches far beyond the high school campus. Dr. Mauricio Castillo, a prominent STEAM researcher at California State University, Los Angeles, has previously noted that the students coming out of Nikki’s classroom are precisely the type of high-achieving learners that top-tier universities are looking for. They have already proven they can survive a professional-grade certification process and thrive in a project-based learning environment.

As we look toward the end of the school year, we celebrate the nearly 20 students who will walk across the graduation stage with more than just a diploma—they will walk away with an internationally recognized credentialed identity. They are no longer just students; they are Certified Web Animators.

At CTeLearning, we are honored that we get to play a part in Nikki Jarvis’s success story. We are committed to continuing our mission of providing teachers with the tools they need to turn students into professionals.

Our founder, Steve, has this to say about Nikki and her class: “The entire CTeLearning team is incredibly proud of Nikki’s class, whose dedication has turned Lakeview Leadership Academy into a national gold standard for Career and Technical Education. By achieving the Certified Web Animator credential, these learners have proven that high school students can master international industry standards when equipped with the right professional tools and mentorship. This class serves as a powerful example of how moving beyond the grade toward industry-recognized certifications can transform a traditional elective into a launchpad for professional careers. We are thrilled to see these students gain the technical proficiency and grit necessary to thrive in the global digital economy, and we remain committed to supporting educators like Nikki who turn classrooms into professional studios.”

Bring Animation Certifications to Your Classroom

Join the movement that is turning high school classrooms into professional studios. Our Chromebook-ready, teacher-friendly curriculum is designed to help your students achieve the same success we see at Lakeview Leadership Academy every single day.

Email: hello@ctelearning.com
Phone: 913-764-4272
Request Your Free Demo: https://www.ctelearning.com/contact

Bridging the Gap: How CTeLearning’s Animation Course Powers Texas CCMR Success

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 19:07:46 GMT

How CTeLearning’s Certified Web Animator Course Bridges the Gap Between TEA Code 967 and Workforce Success

Finding the right curriculum to meet College, Career, and Military Readiness (CCMR) standards can feel like navigating a maze of codes and requirements. However, for districts looking to bolster their CTE programs, the path is becoming much clearer.

At CTeLearning, we have spent years refining courses that don't just check a box—they prepare students for the actual workforce. Our Web and Computer Animation course is uniquely engineered to align to state standards. Today we are taking a closer look at how the course aligns with Texas TEA Code 967, providing a seamless bridge between classroom learning and the state’s rigorous CCMR accountability standards.

The Perfect Match: TEA Code 967 and CCMR

In Texas, the CCMR indicator is a vital metric for school performance. One of the primary ways students can satisfy this requirement is by earning an Industry-Based Certification (IBC) .

The Certified Web Animator certification (IBC Code 967) is officially recognized on the TEA list for public school accountability. By integrating our curriculum, your district can ensure that students are not only gaining high-demand technical skills but are also directly contributing to the district’s CCMR success.

Why the Certified Web Animator IBC Stands Out

Unlike many certifications that focus on a single piece of software, the Certified Web Animator credential, backed by Web Professionals Global, focuses on industry-standard principles and cross-platform competence. It validates that a student understands:

The 12 Principles of Animation: The foundational language of movement.
Web-Optimized Delivery: Understanding how to balance high-quality visuals with performance.
Interactive Design: Moving beyond linear video to user-triggered motion.
Professional Workflow: Mastering the virtual internship approach to project management.

Beginning in the 2026-2027 school year we will have a three-year sequence: Animation 1, Animation 2 and Animation Practicum curricula.

From the Classroom: The Impact at Manor ISD

The true value of a curriculum isn't found in a brochure, but in the success of the students and the satisfaction of the educators leading them. William Rodriguez, the CTE Chair and Digital Imaging and Animation Professor at Manor Independent School District, has seen firsthand how this approach transforms the classroom experience.

William notes the profound impact that industry-backed, project-based learning has on student engagement: “The certification requirements are infused in the curriculum, allowing the students to earn certifications by completing their work and not being subjected to a high-stakes exam. The way the certifications exemplify the process of animation is brilliant! Teaching scholars how to test doesn’t give them the opportunity to build meaningful and vital portfolios, which any competent animator knows is the lifeblood of their career. Additionally, embedding interviews from industry representatives was a great way to expose young scholars to the perspectives of those who are actually utilizing what’s being taught in the course."

This feedback underscores a critical shift in CTE: students are no longer just looking for a grade; they are looking for a professional identity.

Portfolios Over High-Stakes Testing

One of the most significant challenges in modern education is test fatigue. When students feel they are simply memorizing facts for a one-time exam, deep learning often takes a backseat. CTeLearning flips this script by infusing certification requirements directly into the daily curriculum.

By the time a student completes the course, they haven't just passed a test; they have built a professional portfolio that serves as a visual resume, proving to colleges and employers alike that they possess the skills required for the industry.

One of the biggest hurdles for Texas CTE directors is the Hardware Gap. Traditionally, high-end animation requires expensive workstations. CTeLearning removes these barriers with CTEAnimator, a cloud-native, browser-based tool that works on Chromebooks, old laptops, or tablets.

By offering a browser-based option, we help Texas districts achieve educational equity , ensuring that a student’s career potential isn't limited by their school’s technology budget.

Mastering the 12 Principles of Animation

A key differentiator of the CTeLearning curriculum is its focus on the Foundational Twelve. These principles remain the bedrock of modern digital animation. Our course ensures students don't just learn where to click, but why a movement looks natural or impactful.

Students explore concepts such as:

Squash and Stretch: Giving objects a sense of weight and flexibility.
Anticipation: Preparing the audience for an action.
Staging: Directing the viewer's attention to what is important in a scene.
Timing and Motion: Mastering the physics of how objects move through digital space.

By focusing on these core competencies, students prepare for the Certified Web Animator exam with a deep conceptual understanding that translates across any software.

Perkins V Alignment and District Funding

For Texas CTE Directors, curriculum choice is often driven by the ability to secure and utilize federal funding. CTeLearning’s animation course is fully aligned with Perkins V requirements, ensuring that your district can leverage these funds to support high-quality career and technical education.

Perkins V emphasizes programs of study that lead to high-skill, high-wage, or in-demand occupations. Animation and digital media production in Texas meet all three criteria. From the tech hubs in Austin to the marketing firms in Houston, the demand for motion storytellers has never been higher.

Backed by Web Professionals Global

Quality matters. Our animation course is developed in close partnership with Web Professionals Global , a non-profit international professional association. This isn't just a test prep course from a textbook company; it is curriculum designed by the very professionals who hire animators.

The association’s involvement ensures that the standards taught in the classroom are the same standards used in professional studios. When a student earns this certification, they aren't just getting a piece of paper—they are joining a community of web professionals and gaining a credential that carries weight with employers globally.

The Teacher Perspective: Simplified Implementation and Reporting

We recognize that Texas educators are often balancing multiple preps and the administrative weight of TEA reporting. Our platform is designed to act as a teaching assistant, allowing instructors to focus on mentoring rather than managing spreadsheets.

Tracking student progress for CCMR and PEIMS reporting can be a daunting task. CTeLearning provides:

Real-Time Data Dashboards: Instantly see which students are on track for certification.
Automated Evidence Collection: The Virtual Internship model automatically archives student work, providing a ready-made portfolio of evidence for TEKS mastery.

Empowering the Next Generation of Texas Creators

The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects sustained growth for animators as demand surges in video games, streaming media, and digital marketing. Texas is a burgeoning hub for these industries. By adopting the CTeLearning Web and Computer Animation course, you are giving your students a head start in a high-wage, high-demand STEM field while simultaneously meeting the state's rigorous CCMR requirements.

The Certified Web Animator (Code 967) is ready for your classroom. Whether your students are in a 1:1 Chromebook environment or a high-end media lab, CTeLearning provides the curriculum, the support, and the industry backing to ensure their success and your district’s accountability goals.

In another state? Our curriculum is ready to deploy in your district.

Ready to Lead the Revolution in Your District?

Request your free bilingual pathway demo today and see how easy it is to bridge the knowledge gap for your students.

Email: hello@ctelearning.com
Phone: (913) 764-4272
Request a Demo: Click here

The Bilingual Revolution: Closing the Knowledge Gap in Career and Technical Education

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 15:02:32 GMT

Breaking the Language Barrier: Bridging the Knowledge Gap with Dual-Language Career Pathways for the 2027 Workforce

Diversity is the undisputed strength of the American workforce. Our classrooms are more linguistically and culturally diverse than ever before, yet a Knowledge Gap continues to persist in Career and Technical Education (CTE). This gap isn't caused by a lack of student talent or ambition; it is caused by a persistent, often invisible language barrier.

For too long, high-level technical curriculum—the kind that leads to high-wage jobs in AI, Web Design, Game Design, Animation and more—has been offered exclusively in English. This creates an unintentional filter that disproportionately impacts some of our most capable learners. At CTeLearning, we are putting an end to that. Starting in Summer 2026, we are launching a total Bilingual Revolution, introducing fully bilingual versions of our most popular career tracks.

The Double Mountain: The Reality of the ELL Experience

For an English Language Learner (ELL) or a student with Limited English Proficiency (LEP), a standard technical course presents a daunting challenge. They are forced to climb two mountains simultaneously: they must master a complex new technical skill—such as asynchronous programming or data ethics—while also translating the instruction in real-time.

When a student’s brain is fully occupied with the cognitive load of translation, there is less bandwidth available for the actual synthesis of technical concepts. This inadvertent gatekeeping sidelines creative and hardworking students who would otherwise excel in the digital economy. It is a loss for the student, but it is also a loss for a 2027 workforce that is desperate for diverse perspectives and skilled workers.

Dual-Language Mastery: The Transition Model

Our bilingual curriculum isn't just a simple Google Translate overlay or a passive subtitle track. It is a professionally localized, dual-language experience designed specifically for the modern classroom. By offering the courses in both English and Spanish, we allow students to navigate their professional journey in the language that allows them to think most critically. We have also offered other languages on an as-needed basis, such as Creole for one of our schools in Florida.

The core of our approach is the Transition Model . We believe that logic is universal, but language is a tool.

Conceptual Mastery: Students learn high-level logic (like a JavaScript loop, a prompt engineering technique, or a plant growth cycle) in their native language first.
Vocabulary Acquisition: Once the how and why are understood, students are introduced to the professional English vocabulary required to discuss that concept in a global business setting.

This model doesn't just teach code; it builds the professional confidence necessary for a student to walk into a job interview and speak the language of industry fluently. It respects the student's primary language as a foundation rather than a hindrance.

Our 2026 Bilingual Lineup: High-Demand Pathways

We have selected our highest-demand, industry-aligned courses for this initial bilingual expansion. Each course is designed to meet Perkins V requirements and provide students with tangible, workforce-ready skills:

Web Design: Students master the technical front-end of the web, learning HTML5, CSS3, and industry standards. This is where art meets engineering.
Web and Mobile Game Design: A deep dive into the logic, storytelling, and coding behind interactive experiences. This pathway transforms gamers into the developers of tomorrow.
Web Animation: This pathway is where creative vision meets technical logic, teaching students how to use movement to guide and delight users.
Principles of IT: The essential on-ramp for the digital economy. This course covers everything from hardware and networking to software development, ensuring a solid foundation for any tech career.
Horticulture and Sustainable Landscape Design: We are bringing green-industry education to a wider audience, focusing on the booming sustainable agriculture and smart landscaping sectors.
AI for the Workplace: A critical new course for 2026. Students develop expertise in generative AI tools, effective prompt engineering, and the ethical oversight required to lead in an automated world.
Ethics in the Workplace: Beyond technical skills, business leaders demand soft skills. This course prepares students to navigate professional standards and ethical dilemmas in a global context.

Empowering Families: The Kitchen Table Effect

A bilingual curriculum does more than just help the student in the computer lab; it extends the learning into the home. This is what we call the Kitchen Table Effect. One of the greatest challenges for ELL students is that their parents—who are often their primary motivators and biggest cheerleaders—feel disconnected from the curriculum. They may want to help with homework or discuss career goals, but the language barrier makes the technical world feel like a closed book.

When the CTeLearning curriculum is available in Spanish, parents can engage with their child's progress. They can see the portfolio projects their children are building and truly understand the value of the Industry-Recognized Credentials (IRC) their children are earning. This creates a holistic support system that significantly increases student completion rates and long-term career success. When the whole family understands the career path, the student is far more likely to stay the course.

Industry-Validated Success with Web Professionals Global

At CTeLearning, we don't just provide lessons; we provide pathways to employment. Our long-standing partnership with Web Professionals Global ensures that the certification process respects the bilingual nature of the learning path.

This is a critical distinction. A student who masters AI or Web Design in a bilingual environment earns the exact same verified credential as their peers. This is a stackable credential that proves to the 66% of today’s business leaders who value IRCs that the student possesses the rigor and the specific skills required for the modern workplace. We are removing the language barrier without lowering the bar for excellence.

A Strategy for 2026-2027 District Growth: Title III and Perkins V

As we approach the June 30th budget deadline, administrators are looking for high-impact ways to maximize their Title III (Language Instruction for ELL and Immigrant Students) and Perkins V funds. Investing in a bilingual curriculum is a strategic move that addresses the needs of your fastest-growing student populations.

Under Perkins V, districts are required to show how they are serving special populations, which includes ELL students. By deploying a natively bilingual curriculum, your district provides documented proof of inclusive practices and digital equity. It shows your community that your district is committed to preparing every student—regardless of their background—for a high-wage, high-demand career.

The 2027 Global Workforce Demands Multilingual Talent

The business world isn't just looking for workers—it is looking for cultural navigators. A student who is bilingual and technically proficient in AI, Web Design, or IT is a unicorn in the job market. They can communicate with diverse teams, troubleshoot across borders, and bring a global perspective to local problems.

By providing bilingual CTE pathways, you aren't just helping students catch up to their English-speaking peers. You are giving them a specialized skill set that makes them more valuable than the average candidate. You are turning their linguistic background into a professional superpower.

Don’t Let Language Barriers Limit Your Students’ Futures

The workforce of 2027 will be defined by its ability to adapt and communicate. Don't let outdated, English-only software limit the potential of your students or the growth of your district. Join the hundreds of schools already leading the Bilingual Revolution and give your students the curriculum that speaks to them in the language they understand best, while preparing them for the world they are about to lead.

Ready to Lead the Revolution in Your District?

Request your free bilingual pathway demo today and see how easy it is to bridge the knowledge gap for your students.

Email: hello@ctelearning.com
Phone: (913) 764-4272
Request a Demo: Click here

Interested in reading more?

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The 2026-2027 Guide to Mapping Industry Certifications to Student Success

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Closing the Digital Divide with Accessible Career Pathways

Sun, 19 Apr 2026 19:15:20 GMT

Moving Beyond Connectivity: Why 508 and WCAG 2.1 Compliance is the New Standard for Digital Equity in 2026

In the modern classroom, "access" is a word that is often thrown around as a synonym for "connectivity." We talk about 1-to-1 device initiatives and high-speed Wi-Fi as if they represent the finish line for digital equity. However, true Digital Inclusion goes much deeper than the hardware in a student's hands. It is about the architecture of the information itself.

True equity is about ensuring that a student with a visual impairment, a student who navigates via keyboard due to motor-skill challenges, or a student using assistive technology has the exact same opportunity to succeed as any other peer in the lab. At CTeLearning , we believe that a student's potential should never be limited by their physical abilities. If a student has the drive to become a web designer, a game developer, or an AI specialist, the curriculum should be a bridge, not a barrier. That is why we are proud to announce that our entire curriculum suite now officially meets Section 508 and WCAG 2.1 AA standards .

Understanding the Framework: What are 508 and WCAG 2.1 AA?

For school administrators and IT Directors, these codes represent the "Gold Standard" of digital accessibility. They aren't just suggestions; in many cases, they are federal mandates tied directly to funding eligibility and civil rights compliance .

Section 508: This is a federal requirement (an amendment to the Rehabilitation Act of 1973) ensuring that all electronic and information technology developed, procured, maintained, or used by the federal government—and by extension, many institutions receiving federal funding—is accessible to people with disabilities.
WCAG 2.1 AA: The "Web Content Accessibility Guidelines" are the international standard for web accessibility. The "AA" rating means the content is designed to be POUR : Perceivable, Operable, Understandable, and Robust.

By meeting these standards, CTeLearning ensures that our courses are more than just "functional." They are optimized. Our platforms are now fully compatible with screen readers, offer high-contrast modes for students with low vision, and provide comprehensive keyboard-only navigation for those who cannot use a traditional mouse. This isn't just a "feature"—it is a legal and ethical foundation that ensures no student is left behind in the 2026 digital economy.

The ROI of Accessibility: Beyond Compliance

When a district invests in an accessible curriculum, the Return on Investment (ROI) extends far beyond avoiding a legal audit. Accessibility improves the learning experience for every student in the room.

1. Lower Cognitive Load and Universal Design for Learning (UDL)

Accessible design is, by definition, clean design. By prioritizing clear navigation, consistent heading structures, and high-quality alt-text for every image, we reduce the "background noise" of learning. This follows the principles of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) , which suggests that what is necessary for some is beneficial for all.

For students with ADHD, dyslexia, or learning processing challenges, a predictable and accessible interface reduces anxiety and "decision fatigue." This allows them to focus entirely on the subject matter—whether that is mastering Python logic or understanding the physics of game design—rather than struggling to figure out how to find the "Submit" button.

2. Hardware Longevity and Performance in the Chromebook Era

In 2026, many districts are stretching their hardware refresh cycles to four or five years. Older Chromebooks and tablets often struggle with modern, "heavy" web applications. Because our accessible curriculum is built on "Lean Code" principles—prioritizing semantic HTML over bloated JavaScript—it requires significantly less processing power.

This means that assistive technologies like text-to-speech software or screen magnifiers can run simultaneously with our courseware without lagging or crashing the device. Accessibility isn't just about the user; it's about making the software respect the hardware it lives on.

3. Grant Eligibility and Perkins V Alignment

Under Perkins V , districts must demonstrate how they are serving "Special Populations." This includes students with disabilities, individuals from economically disadvantaged families, and students preparing for non-traditional fields.

By deploying a curriculum that is natively 508 compliant, your district can provide documented proof of inclusive practices in your Comprehensive Local Needs Assessment (CLNA) . This makes your grant applications significantly more competitive when vying for state and federal workforce development funds. When you can show a state auditor that your "Game Design" pathway is accessible to a student using an eye-tracking device, you aren't just teaching a class—you are leading a movement for digital equity.

The 2026 Workforce: A New Standard of Professionalism

The "Digital Divide" is often framed as a gap in access , but in 2026, it has become a gap in readiness . The modern workplace—especially in fields like Web Design and Software Development—now mandates accessibility as a core skill.

When students learn via CTeLearning’s accessible platform, they aren't just passive users of accessible technology; they are learning the "how" and "why" behind it. Our Web Design, Principles of IT, AI, Ethics and other courses all teach students to use universal design and create for all. We are training the next generation of "Webmasters" and "Digital Architects" to understand that if a product isn't accessible, it isn't finished. This gives CTeLearning students a distinct competitive advantage in the job market, as they enter the workforce already conversant in the legal and ethical requirements of modern tech. Additionally, our courses include integrated certifications backed by our association partner Web Professionals Global .

The CTeLearning Commitment: A VPAT for Your IT Team

We understand that "Compliance" is a heavy word for IT departments and 504 Coordinators. It involves endless spreadsheets, testing, and risk assessment. That is why we don't just "claim" to be accessible—we provide the evidence.

We provide a Voluntary Product Accessibility Template (VPAT) for all our courses. This is a technical document that your IT department or Section 504 Coordinator can use to verify exactly how our curriculum meets each specific accessibility requirement (such as screen reader compatibility, color contrast ratios, and session timeouts). It removes the guesswork from the procurement process and provides the "Peace of Mind" that administrators need during the critical Spring buying season.

Strategic Spring Planning: Obligating Perkins V Funds

As districts move into the final quarter of the fiscal year, the pressure to obligate Perkins V and ESSER-related funds is high. Many administrators find themselves searching for "quick spends," but the most effective use of these funds is in sustainable, high-impact resources that will serve the district for years to come.

Investing in an accessible Career and Technical Education (CTE) pathway ensures that your "Spring Spend" has a long-term impact. Because our curriculum is cloud-based and natively accessible, there is no expensive hardware to maintain and no complicated local installs. You are purchasing a pathway that is ready for the first day of the Fall semester, regardless of the diverse needs of the students who walk through your door.

Ready to Lead the Way in Digital Equity?

The workforce of 2027 will be the most diverse and inclusive in history. It will be a workplace where "Remote Work" and "Digital Collaboration" are the norms, making digital accessibility a fundamental human right. Don't let outdated, inaccessible software limit your students' futures or leave your district vulnerable to compliance issues.

Join the hundreds of districts already preparing their students for success by choosing the curriculum that turns any device into a professional, accessible workstation. Let’s close the digital divide together—not just by handing out devices, but by building pathways that everyone can walk.

Explore our 508-compliant course catalog today and prepare your district for a more inclusive tomorrow.

�� Visit our Course Catalog

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Email: hello@ctelearning.com
Phone: (913) 764-4272
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How to Choose the Right CTE Curriculum for Your School

Wed, 15 Apr 2026 16:52:04 GMT

Aligning Your CTE Pathways with Perkins V and Industry Standards

Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs provide students with the skills and credentials they need to succeed in the workforce. However, even the best program can falter if the curriculum isn’t carefully chosen. A high-quality curriculum ensures that students are engaged, meet learning objectives, and are prepared for industry-recognized credentials.

Choosing the right CTE curriculum involves more than just picking a textbook or online course. Schools need to consider teacher capacity, program scalability, alignment with federal and industry standards, and the career pathways that will provide the greatest value to students.

Platforms lik e CTeLearning are designed to help schools navigate these c hallenges. Our curriculum provides comprehensive, standards-aligned lessons and project-based learning modules, making it possible for existing teachers to manage programs efficiently while delivering real-world skills to students.

Understanding Your School’s Needs

Before selecting a curriculum, administrators should assess the unique needs of their school. Consider the following:

Staffing: Does your school have teachers with industry expertise, or will existing teachers need guidance?
Facilities: Are specialized labs or equipment available, or will programs rely primarily on digital learning?
Student Interest: What pathways are most likely to engage your students and prepare them for in-demand careers?
Funding: Are there federal or state funding sources available to support program implementation?

By evalu ating these factors, schools can focus on curriculum options that are practical, scalable, and aligned with student and workforce needs.

Key Features to Look for in a CTE Curriculum

Standards Alignment

High-quality CTE curriculum should align with both federal standards, such as Perkins V, and industry-recognized credentials (IRCs). Alignment ensures that students gain relevant skills, prepares them for certification exams, and allows schools to leverage funding opportunities.

CTeLearning is fully aligned with federal standards and provides pathways for students to earn industry credentials. This alignment simplifies program planning for administrators and gives students confidence that they are learning skills that are in demand in the workforce.

Flexibility and Scalability

Schools vary widely in staff capacity, student population, and facilities. A flexible curriculum allows programs to scale as needed. Programs that are entirely digital or blended online/in-person can be implemented even when resources are limited.

Our platform, CTeLearning, allows schools to launch multiple pathways without hiring additional staff. Teachers can facilitate several programs simultaneously, using structured lesson plans, interactive projects, and assessments. This flexibility enables schools to expand offerings over time without overburdening staff or facilities.

Project-Based Learning

CTE programs are most effective when students can apply knowledge to real-world projects. Project-based learning encourages critical thinking, problem-solving, and collaboration while providing students with tangible outcomes to include in portfolios.

CTeLearning integrates project-based learning into every pathway. Students complete hands-on projects that mimic industry tasks, and teachers are provided with guides to facilitate learning, track progress, and assess performance efficiently.

Teacher Support and Training

Even highly capable teachers may need guidance to facilitate technical pathways. A strong curriculum provides built-in teacher support, including professional development, lesson plans, and resources to help educators manage student learning.

With CTeLearning, teachers receive comprehensive support for every pathway. This includes step-by-step lesson plans, grading rubrics, and training resources, allowing them to focus on mentoring students and guiding projects rather than creating curriculum from scratch.

Assessment and Certification

An effective curriculum includes assessment tools that measure student mastery of skills and readiness for industry-recognized certifications. Assessments should be embedded throughout the program to track progress and provide actionable feedback.

CTeLearning incorporates assessments and certification preparation directly into the curriculum, ensuring students are well-prepared for exams and workforce entry. Teachers can monito r performance easily, and students can demonstrate their competencies with confidence.

Steps to Choosing the Right Curriculum

1. Identify Your Goals

Start by defining what you want your CTE program to achieve. Are you preparing students for college, careers, or certifications? Understanding your goals helps narrow down curriculum options that align with your objectives.

2. Evaluate Pathway Demand

Consider labor market trends and student interest to select pathways that are both in-demand and engaging. Programs in technology, healthcare, business, and digital media are consistently high-demand and can be implemented with scalable solutions like CTeLearning.

3. Assess School Resources

Examine staffing, facilities, and budget. Schools with limited staffing can benefit from a curriculum that enables teachers to manage multiple pathways. Digital or blended solutions reduce the need for expensive labs and specialized equipment while maintaining a high-quality learning experience.

4. Review Curriculum Features

Look for a curriculum that offers:

Standards alignment
Teacher support and professional development
Project-based learning opportunities
Embedded assessments and certification preparation
Flexibility to scale as your program grows

CTeLearning mee ts all these criteria, allowing schools to implement programs efficiently, reduce administrative burdens, and deliver meaningful student outcomes.

5. Pilot and Gather Feedback

Starting small with a pilot program allows administrators to evaluate curriculum effectiveness and make adjustments before scaling. Collect feedback from teachers and students to ensure the program meets learning objectives, engages learners, and prepares them for certifications or post-secondary pathways.

Maximizing the Value of Your Curriculum

Selecting the right curriculum is just the first step. Maximizing its value requires effective implementation. Schools should:

Integrate professional development for teachers
Monitor student progress and adjust instruction as needed
L everage data from assessments to guide program improvements
Explore multiple pathways using flexible curriculum solutions

CTeLearning supports all of these steps by providing teacher resources, built-in assessments, and the flexibility to launch multiple programs simultaneously. Schools gain the ability to scale efficiently while maintaining high-quality instruction.

Benefits of Choosing CTeLearning

Schools that select CTeLearning gain:

Scalable programs: Launch multiple pathways without hiring new staff
Standards alignment: Ensure compliance with federal standards and IRCs
Teacher support: Comprehensive guides, professional development, and step-by-step lesson plans
Project-based learning: Hands-on projects that prepare students for real-world careers
Certification readiness: Embedded assessment tools and career credential preparation

These benefits reduce administrative workload, lower program costs, and create meaningful career outcomes for students.

Next Steps

Choosing the right CTE curriculum is essential to launching a successful program. By evaluating goals, pathway demand, school resources, and curr iculum features, administrators can select a solution that maximizes both student success and program efficiency.

With CTeLearning, schools can implement scalable, standards-aligned CTE programs that prepare students for high-demand careers while minimizing staffing and facility challenges.

Get in Touch Today:

Email: hello@ctelearning.com
Phone: (913) 764-4272
Contact Page: Request Your Free Demo

One thought to keep in mind.

Fri, 10 Apr 2026 12:25:36 GMT

A saying I have posted in my office.

"Teach to the test and the student wins for the day. Teach to the career and they win for a lifetime."

- Steve Waddell Founder - CTeLearning.com

Think about it. Give a man a fish, and he eats for a day. Teach a man to pass a test about fishing, and he graduates with a certificate but a hungry belly. Teach a man to master the craft, and he gains the agency to feed himself. - Steve

AI in the Workplace: How SunEd High is Leading Florida in AI Certification

Tue, 07 Apr 2026 13:17:04 GMT

From Classroom to Career: Certifying the First Generation of AI Professionals

The rapid integration of Artificial Intelligence into the global economy has created a new "Digital Divide." While many districts are still debating the ethics of AI in the classroom, forward-thinking educators are already certifying the next generation of "AI Pilots." At SunEd High of South Broward in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, this revolution is already in full swing.

Today, we are highlighting the incredible work of Ian Buniao and his students, who are proving that with the right curriculum, high schoolers can master the technical and ethical rigors of AI before they even walk across the graduation stage. SunEd High’s journey with CTeLearning is a testament to what happens when innovative leadership meets industry-aligned curriculum. For the past three years, SunEd has deployed our Web Design , Web and Mobile Game Design , and Web Animation tracks. Now, they are the first in the district to deploy and complete our AI in the Workplace curriculum.

A Three-Year Partnership in Innovation

This success story didn't happen overnight. In 2023, we wrote an article about how Tammy Lara (Principal) and Karimah Grayson (Teacher) discovered and deployed the CTeLearning curriculum to bolster their CTE course offerings. They weren't looking for "filler" courses; they were looking for high-standard, industry-validated pathways that would give their students a competitive edge in the Florida job market.

Today, that partnership has expanded across both SunEd North and SunEd South campuses. By staying consistent with our browser-based, Chromebook-compatible platforms, SunEd has removed the hardware barriers that often hinder digital inclusion. Whether a student is working on a high-end workstation or a standard school-issued device, the performance is identical. This stability has allowed teachers like Ian to focus on what matters most: Student Mastery.

Course Overview: The "AI Pilot" Framework

The AI in the Workplace course has become a cornerstone for educators like Ian. It serves as a flexible, 5-to-15-hour "plug-and-play" solution that fits seamlessly into any existing CTE pathway—from Business and Marketing to Technical Trades and IT.

Rather than teaching students to "fear" AI or use it to "cheat," our curriculum transforms them into "AI Pilots." They learn to leverage generative tools to boost productivity while maintaining human-centric critical thinking.

The curriculum focuses on:

Prompt Engineering: Learning how to communicate effectively with large language models to get professional-grade results.
Identifying AI Bias: Understanding the limitations of algorithms and the importance of human oversight.
Data Privacy and Ethics: Protecting sensitive information in a world where data is the new currency.
Real-World Professional Scenarios: Applying AI to solve actual business problems, such as conducting SWOT analyses or developing marketing strategies.

Breaking Language Barriers: English, Spanish, and Creole

One of the most impactful aspects of the SunEd High story is their commitment to Digital Equity. Florida classrooms are beautifully diverse, and SunEd has leveraged our multi-language support to ensure every student succeeds. Our AI curriculum can be completed in English, Spanish, and Creole, allowing English Language Learners (ELL) to master technical concepts in their primary language while simultaneously building their professional vocabulary. This ensures that the "AI Revolution" doesn't leave anyone behind.

Proven Results: Exceptional Certification Outcomes

The true impact of our program is best reflected in the outstanding success of our graduates. SunEd students consistently demonstrate their workforce readiness by achieving certifications and developi ng career-centric soft skills, and acumen . We achieve this through a structured "Crawl, Walk, Run" pedagogical approach.

Crawl: Students learn the history and basics of AI logic.
Walk: Students begin interacting with tools under strict ethical guidelines.
Run: Students create professional-grade portfolio projects that they can show to prospective employers.

As the students learn in the course, AI is becoming a hiring differentiator:

Widespread Impact: 86% of employers now expect AI and information-processing technologies to significantly transform their business operations by 2030, with a major focus on upskilling curre nt staff.
The "Hiring Edge": 70-75% of employers state the y are more likely to hire a candidate with AI literacy over one without it, even for non-technical roles, and 92% state that, when faced with two equally qualified candidates, they will prioritize the one with a relevant professional certification.
Job Transformation: Experts estimate tha t 80% of U.S. jobs will experience AI-driven task redesign by the end of 2026, meaning the ability to work alongside AI is now a core competency.

Earning the ind ustry-recognized micro-credential from Web Professionals Global validates that these students possess the verified AI proficiency that today's business leaders now demand. This isn't a "participation trophy"; it is a professional gatekeeper that opens doors to high-wage careers.

First in the District: Student Voices

Recently, several of Ian’s students became the first in the district to earn their AI in the Workplace certification. To hear these students speak is to hear the voice of the 2027 workforce. Check out the linked videos and read on to hear about what they had to say.

Christina C. , the very first student in the district to earn the credential, noted the rapid shift in the industry: “Once you get used to the course it is fairly simple. You are even encouraged to ask questions. In just the last year or two you can see the shift to AI happening.”

Zuatneymy C. highlighted the long-term value of the micro-credential: “I think everyone should get their AI certificate. Every job that uses technology will use AI in the future. The back of the certificate shows everything that I am certified in.”

The sentiment was echoed by Nossandynja N. , who admitted to initial hesitation: “I was hesitant at first but earning the certification was easy. As time goes by AI is expanding, and it will be used in many workplaces in the future.” Even in technical trades, the impact is felt. Ronald P. shared, “I feel like AI will advance in the future in areas like automotive.”

Ian said, “We are proud of all the students who completed this course and certification. Students today are using AI tools like ChatGPT and Google Gemini. The structure of the course is self-explanatory and not complicated at all. Here at SunEd we enjoy offering this certification as it is an important credential that students can show employers. Some students may not want to go the college route, but getting as many certifications as possible is beneficial.”

Why This Matters for Florida School Districts

As we move through the 2026 Spring Buying Season, administrators are under pressure to align with new state mandates regarding AI literacy. SunEd High has provided the blueprint. By choosing a curriculum that is Industry-Validated, Multi-Lingual, and Hardware-Agnostic, they have created a sustainable model that other schools can easily replicate.

Ian and the team at SunEd are proving that high school students are more than capable of directing these new tools with the critical thinking required for the modern job market. They aren't just using AI—they are mastering it.

Next Steps for Your School

Is your district ready to certify its first "AI Pilots"? Whether you are looking to bolster an existing IT lab or introduce a new elective, CTeLearning provides the tools, the certification, and the teacher support to make it happen in weeks, not years.

Get in Touch Today:

Email: hello@ctelearning.com
Phone: (913) 764-4272
Request Your Free Demo: Click here

The Edge-Native Student: WebAssembly (Wasm) and the Future of the High School Lab

Mon, 06 Apr 2026 16:51:30 GMT

The architecture of the global web is undergoing a silent revolution, moving away from centralized, distant servers and toward high-performance Edge Computing. For the modern educator, this isn't just a shift in "IT infrastructure"—it is a fundamental change in how we define a "computer lab." By mastering WebAssembly (Wasm), students can now build professional-grade applications that run at native speeds directly in the browser. This technological leap levels the playing field, allowing elite web development, 3D modeling, and high-end animation to happen on any device, from $2,000 Mac workstations to standard $200 student Chromebooks. CTeLearning offers turnkey curriculum solutions that require no teacher expertise and align perfectly with browser-based education trends.

The Architecture Shift: Beyond the Centralized Web

If you look at the evolution of the web over the last decade, we have moved from static pages to "heavy" JavaScript applications that often struggle to perform on student-grade hardware. For years, the only solution for schools was to "move it to the cloud," but as we enter 2026, the pendulum is swinging back. We are entering the era of Edge Computing and WebAssembly.

In a traditional "Cloud" model, every time a student clicks a button, a request travels to a data center, processes, and travels back. This creates latency (lag) and relies heavily on a school's often-stretched Wi-Fi bandwidth. Edge-Native design flips this script. It allows the student's own device to do the heavy lifting locally within the browser. At CTeLearning, we are preparing students to be "Edge-Native." This means teaching them to engineer applications that run at near-native speeds directly on their own hardware. By mastering these high-performance standards, your students aren't just "making websites"—they are engineering the next generation of the decentralized web.

In 2017, the team at CTeLearning started to take advantage of Wasm or the free tools we provide with our courses and for the interactivity built into our curricula. That was a good choice, as today as over 95-99% of modern web browsers, including mobile (iOS/Android), support WebAssembly.

Why WebAssembly is the 2027 Professional Standard

In the professional world, the "browser" is no longer just a window to view content; it is a powerful Execution Engine. Technologies like WebAssembly allow developers to bring heavy-duty code—traditionally reserved for desktop software—into the web environment with zero performance loss. This is the "magic" that allows industry-standard tools like Figma, Adobe Lightroom, and AutoCAD to run smoothly in a browser tab without requiring a massive local installation.

For a student, understanding "The Edge" means understanding that data shouldn't have to travel halfway across the world just to execute a task. By processing data at "the edge" of the network (the student’s device), applications become:

Instantaneous: Delivering zero-latency experiences that feel like high-end desktop software.
Secure by Design: Data is processed locally, significantly reducing the "attack surface" for data interception during transit.
Truly Accessible: High-performance tools become available to users in low-bandwidth rural areas, effectively closing the "Digital Divide" that has historically plagued remote school districts.

Pedagogical Impact: Teaching "High-Performance" Problem Solving

When we introduce these concepts in a high school setting, we fundamentally change the student's relationship with their hardware. For years, the narrative in CTE labs has been one of limitation: "We can't teach high-end game design because our computers aren't fast enough." WebAssembly changes that narrative. Students learn how to optimize their code to bypass hardware limitations rather than being victims of them. It turns a technical constraint into a competitive advantage. This teaches a higher level of Computational Thinking—students aren't just learning "how to code"; they are learning how to manage system resources, memory, and performance budgets.

Steve Waddell, founder of CTeLearning, sees this as the ultimate "Democratization" of technology:

"For too long, elite tech education was reserved for the 'wealthy districts' that could afford $50,000 hardware labs," says Waddell. "Technologies like Wasm change the game. When we teach students to build 'Edge-Native' apps, we are giving them the power to create professional-grade tools on a $200 device. We are teaching them that their creativity isn't limited by their zip code or their school’s budget. That is the true power of modern web standards."

The CTE Director’s ROI: Stability and Scalability

One of the biggest hurdles to launching a new CTE pathway is the "IT Friction." Installing new software on 500 machines, managing updates, and troubleshooting driver conflicts can take months. Edge-Native curriculum solves this instantly.

Zero Installation: Everything runs in the browser. There are no .exe files to push or security permissions to override.
Hardware Longevity: Because Wasm is so efficient, it breathes new life into older hardware. Schools can extend their "Refresh Cycle," saving tens of thousands of dollars in capital expenses.
Offline Resilience: Edge-Native apps can be designed to work "Offline-First," meaning a student can keep working on their project even if the school’s internet goes down.

Actionable Steps for Admins: Modernizing the Tech Stack

Transitioning to an "Edge-First" mindset requires a strategic shift in how districts evaluate curriculum and software. Here is how to ensure your program stays ahead of the curve:

Prioritize Browser-Native Tools: Move away from software that requires local "installs" which often break or require constant IT intervention.
Introduce "Performance Budgets": Teach students that if an application uses too much memory or CPU, it is a Design Failure. This aligns perfectly with the sustainability goals of the Green Web Standards we promote.
Bridge the Language Gap: Even if students start with JavaScript, introduce the concept of "Compilation." Explain how languages like C++ are turned into Wasm to run at lightning speed.
Focus on Security: Use the local-processing nature of Edge Computing to teach students about Data Sovereignty and privacy-by-design.

The CTeLearning Connection: Professional Power on Every Desk

We have built the entire CTeLearning ecosystem to be Edge-Ready. Our Web Design, Web Animation, and Game Design tracks don't require high-end GPUs; they leverage optimized web standards to deliver a smooth, professional experience on any device. We teach students the "Full Stack" of the future—where UI/UX, accessibility, and high-performance engineering meet.

Our partnership with Web Professionals Global ensures that the certifications your students earn are vetted by the experts building the actual "Edge" of the internet. We aren't just teaching the web of yesterday; we are giving your students the keys to the high-performance digital economy of tomorrow.

Is Your District Ready for the "Edge-Native" Revolution?

Don't let outdated hardware or budget constraints hold your students back. Give them the curriculum that turns any device into a professional workstation. Explore our 2026-2027 curriculum pathways today and see how we are bringing high-performance WebAssembly standards to the modern CTE classroom.

Get in Touch Today:

Email: hello@ctelearning.com
Phone: (913) 764-4272
Request Your Free Demo: Click here

Related Reading:

Why Schools Are Struggling to Launch CTE Programs (And How to Solve the Staffing Crisis)

Thu, 02 Apr 2026 18:30:24 GMT

Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs have never been more essential. Across the United States, administrators are recognizing that the traditional academic track is no longer enough. To succeed in the 2027 economy, students need a "Dual-Track" education: high-level academic theory combined with immediate, project-based career skills. From digital design and AI strategy to sustainable energy and healthcare, students are hungry for programs that provide both real-world experience and industry-recognized credentials (IRCs).

Despite this record-breaking demand, many schools face a formidable wall: a critical shortage of qualified CTE teachers. Recruiting instructors who possess both the deep industry expertise and the state-mandated teaching credentials necessary to lead these programs is a monumental task. In many states, a web design teacher needs years of professional experience plus a teaching certificate—a combination that is increasingly rare and expensive. Some districts struggle for months to fill a single vacancy, while others are forced to shutter successful programs or forgo launching new pathways entirely due to these staffing constraints.

The good news—and the secret that top-performing districts are utilizing in 2026—is that launching a high-quality CTE program does not always require hiring a fleet of new, six-figure specialists. With thoughtful strategies, advanced online curriculum solutions like CTeLearning, and a shift toward "Facilitated Learning," schools can leverage their existing staff to build programs that are scalable, engaging, and impactful. Our curriculum is specifically engineered so that motivated educators can facilitate professional-grade learning effectively without needing to be the primary subject-matter expert.

Rethinking the Traditional CTE Model

Historically, CTE programs relied on a resource-heavy "Master-Apprentice" model. To teach Automotive, you needed a mechanic. To teach Web Design, you needed a Developer. Schools would build dedicated facilities, buy specialized equipment, and hire a dedicated specialist for every single career pathway. Under this old model, launching a new program often took three to five years of planning and millions in capital investment.

In the current economic climate, this traditional approach is becoming unsustainable. Most districts simply do not have the budget to outbid private industry for tech talent, and physical facilities often cannot support multiple specialized labs. In response, forward-thinking educators are embracing a Modern CTE Framework that emphasizes flexibility and "Hardware-Agnostic" technology.

By leveraging cloud-based, turnkey curriculum like the courses we offer at CTeLearning, schools can implement multiple pathways—from Animation to Cloud Security—with virtually zero setup time. This allows existing teachers to stop worrying about "lesson planning for a subject they don't know" and start focusing on what they do best: mentoring students and managing project-based growth.

The Power of the Facilitator: Leveraging Existing Teachers

One of the most persistent misconceptions in vocational education is that every pathway requires a "Sage on the Stage" who knows every line of code. In the 2026 classroom, the teacher’s role is shifting from "Content Prov ider" to "Learning Architect." Our curricu lum is designed to support this shift. We provide the "Subject Matter Expertise" through interactive modules, professional video instruction, and industry-validated labs. This leaves the teacher free to manage the classroom environment, provide emotional support, and track career-readiness skills (the "Soft Skills" like communication and reliability that employers value most).

With structured lesson plans, automated grading, and built-in formative assessments, a Business teacher can successfully facilitate a Web Design course. A Media Arts teacher can oversee a high-level Coding pathway. When you reimagine teachers as facilitators, you don't just reduce hiring costs; you unlock the potential of your current staff to grow alongside their students.

The Technical Advantage of Online Curriculum

Online curriculum has evolved far beyond the "digital textbooks" of the past. At CTeLearning, we provide a comprehensive ecosystem of learning. This includes:

Industry-Validated Content: Developed in partnership with organizations like Web Professionals Global .
Project-Based Learning (PBL): Students don't just "read"—they build. They create real portfolios that they can show to employers or college recruiters.
Built-in Professional Development: We "teach the teacher" as they move through the course, providing them with the background knowledge they need to feel confident in the lab.

Our curriculum is strictly aligned with federal standards such as Perkins V and is specifically mapped to the 2026-2030 Industry-Recognized Credential (IRC) lists. By adopting a digital-first curriculum, a single teacher can manage several distinct pathways simultaneously within the same classroom, making expansion feasible for schools of any size or budget.

Starting Small: The "Pilot and Pivot" Strategy

The most successful CTE launches we see aren't the ones that try to open ten pathways on day one. The most effective way to implement a new program is to Start Small .

Launching one or two high-demand pathways—such as Web Design or Digital Marketing—allows administrators to focus on quality and troubleshoot local challenges without overwhelming the staff. This "Pilot Phase" reduces financial risk and allows the district to gather student feedback. Once the initial pathways are established and the "Facilitator Model" is proven, schools can gradually expand. Adding one new pathway per year creates a sustainable growth model that avoids the "burnout" often associated with massive curriculum overhauls.

Prioritizing High-Demand, Flexible Pathways

When choosing where to start, smart administrators look for "High-ROI" pathways. Some programs, like Welding or Nursing, require massive insurance premiums, specialized ventilation, or highly specific clinical hours. While valuable, these are difficult to launch quickly.

Conversely, "Digital Pathways" like Animation , Web Design , and Web and Mobile Game Design are increasingly popular because:

Low Overhead: They require minimal specialized equipment (often just a Chromebook).
Remote-Ready: They can be taught in a physical lab, a hybrid environment, or fully online.
High Demand: These skills are "Universal Competencies" required in every sector of the 2027 economy, from agriculture to aerospace.

The Funding Landscape: Aligning with Perkins V

Funding is often the "make or break" factor for a new program. In 2026, federal funding through Perkins V and state-level workforce development grants are more accessible than ever— if your curriculum meets the criteria.

To maximize funding, your program must demonstrate:

Industry Validation: Evidence that the skills taught are actually used in the field.
Credential Attainment: A clear path for students to earn a recognized certificate.
Equitable Access: The ability to serve all students, regardless of their physical location or socio-economic status.

Our curriculum is built with these funding "Triggers" in mind. We provide the documentation and tracking tools administrators need to prove program effectiveness, making it significantly easier to justify budget requests and secure long-term grant support.

Avoiding the "Perfection Trap"

We often see districts delay their CTE launch for years because they are waiting for the "perfect" candidate to apply or the "perfect" lab to be built. This is the Perfection Trap . While the district waits, students are missing out on years of career preparation.

By adopting scalable solutions now, you can avoid common pitfalls like overcomplicating staffing or assuming that every student needs a $3,000 workstation. The most successful programs are the ones that get started, iterate based on student success, and grow as demand increases.

Administrator’s Summary: The ROI of Facilitated CTE

Immediate Implementation: Launch professional-grade pathways in weeks, not years, by utilizing existing staff.
Reduced Overhead: Eliminate the need for high-salary specialists and specialized physical infrastructure.
Sustainability: Align with Perkins V and 2027 Industry Standards to ensure long-term funding and student employability.

What Success Looks Like

When a school moves to this modern model, the transformation is visible. Student engagement skydives as they realize they are building actual products for the real world. Teachers feel empowered rather than overwhelmed, as they learn new, high-demand skills alongside their students. Most importantly, the "Staffing Crisis" stops being an excuse for stagnation and becomes an opportunity for innovation.

With CTeLearning, you have the tools, the industry backing, and the pedagogical support to launch high-quality programs efficiently. We are here to ensure that your teachers are successful, your students are prepared, and your district is a leader in the 2026-2027 educational landscape.

Next Steps

Launching a CTE program without hiring new teachers isn't just possible—it’s the most sustainable way to grow in 2026. By leveraging your existing team and our industry-validated curriculum, you can deliver the career outcomes your community deserves.

Get in Touch Today:

Email: hello@ctelearning.com
Phone: (913) 764-4272
Request Your Free Demo: ctelearning.com/contact

Interested in learning more? Check out our article on Why Teaching Green Web Standards is the New Frontier of Sustainability .

Why Teaching Green Web Standards is the New Frontier of Sustainability

Wed, 01 Apr 2026 18:45:25 GMT

Digital sustainability is moving from a niche interest to a core professional requirement for the 2026-2027 academic cycle. By teaching "Green Tech" principles, educators are preparing students to build high-performance, responsive websites that reduce server load and carbon emissions. In the modern workforce, a sustainable digital footprint is now a primary benchmark for professional excellence.

The Environmental Cost of the Digital World in 2026

As we navigate 2026, the conversation around "going green" in schools has moved beyond recycling bins and LED lighting. There is a hidden environmental footprint sitting right in our computer labs: the carbon cost of the internet. Most students—and many educators—don't realize that if the internet were a country, it would be the world's third-largest electricity consumer. In an era where districts are being graded on their Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) scores, teaching "Green Web Standards" is no longer a niche elective; it is a critical component of a modern CTE curriculum.

At CTeLearning, we believe that professional web design and development in 2027 and beyond will be defined by efficiency. A "heavy" website isn't just slow; it’s an energy hog. By teaching our students how to write "Lean Code," we aren't just making them better developers—we are making them responsible digital citizens.

The Industry Shift: Why Sustainable IT is a 2027 Career Requirement

The global tech industry is facing a massive "energy crunch" due to the proliferation of AI processing and high-data video streaming. In response, major tech hubs are implementing "Carbon Budgets" for digital products. Large corporations now require their vendors to provide "Digital Sustainability Reports," proving that their websites and apps are optimized to minimize server load.

For a student entering the workforce, being able to audit a site’s energy consumption is a high-value skill. This involves more than just "optimizing images." It requires a deep understanding of:

Server-Side Efficiency: Reducing the number of "trips" a browser makes to the server.
Transmission Energy: Minimizing the weight of the data sent over the network (kilobytes vs. megabytes).
Device-End Processing: Writing JavaScript that doesn't force an end-user's phone or computer to run its processor at 100%, draining battery and wasting local energy.

Teaching Impact: Transforming "Optimization" into a Mission

Teaching sustainability in a web design course changes the "why" behind the technical grind. When a student spends twenty minutes resizing an image or refactoring a CSS file, they aren't just doing "busy work"—they are reducing the carbon footprint of their project. This mission-driven approach to coding increases student engagement.

Steve Waddell, founder of CTeLearning, views this as the ultimate "teachable moment" for the modern classroom.

"Sustainability is often thought of as something physical, like planting trees or saving water," says Waddell. "But in the digital age, a clean line of code is an act of conservation. When we teach a student to build a high-performance, responsive site that uses 50% less data, we are teaching them that their professional choices have a global impact. Lean code is green code, and it’s the standard of the future."

By focusing on "Green SEO" and sustainable UI/UX, we move the curriculum from theoretical exercises to real-world problem solving that aligns with the values of the 21st-century workforce.

Actionable Steps for Admins: Building a Sustainable Tech Track

CTE Directors and Teachers can lead the way in digital sustainability by integrating these "Green Benchmarks" into their technology programs. Here is how to modernize your curriculum:

Implement "Data Budgets": Challenge students to build fully responsive landing pages that stay under 500KB total. This forces them to prioritize semantic HTML over heavy third-party libraries.
Teach "Dark Mode" Utility: Explain the energy-saving benefits of dark-mode UI/UX on OLED screens. It’s not just an aesthetic choice; it’s an efficiency choice.
Audit with Green Tools: Use tools like "EcoGrader" or the "Green Web Foundation" API as part of your project rubrics. Have students "grade" local business websites and propose "Green Refactors."
Focus on "Static" Growth: Move away from teaching heavy, database-reliant CMS systems for simple projects. Teach students the power of "Static Site Generation" (SSG), which is significantly more energy-efficient and secure.

These steps don't just help the planet; they help the district’s bottom line. Leaner websites load faster on old hardware, extending the life of student Chromebooks and reducing the need for costly infrastructure upgrades.

The CTeLearning Connection: Engineering Efficiency from Day One

At CTeLearning, our curriculum is "Lean by Design." We teach students to use industry-standard in ways that prioritize performance and accessibility. We don't believe in "bloatware." Our courses emphasize the importance of "Asset Management"—ensuring that every frame and every line of code serves a purpose.

By using our cloud-based, hardware-agnostic platform, districts are already reducing their "Educational Carbon Footprint." We provide the scaffolding for students to earn Web Professionals Global certifications that now include competencies in digital sustainability. We aren't just preparing students for a job; we are preparing them for a career where their skills help build a more sustainable world.

Ready to Make Your CTE Program a "Green Tech" Leader?

Sustainability starts in the source code. Give your students the tools to build a faster, cleaner, and more efficient internet.

Explore our 2026-2027 tracks and see how CTeLearning can help your district meet its ESG goals while delivering elite career certifications.

To speak directly with a member of our curriculum development team, call us at 913-764-4272 or click here to schedule a free demo . In just 20 minutes we will show you how our solutions can help you meet your sustainability goals.

Interested in learning more? Check out our 2026-2027 Guide to Mapping Industry Certifications to Student Success .

The 2026-2027 Guide to Mapping Industry Certifications to Student Success

Tue, 24 Mar 2026 13:31:54 GMT

Transforming Classrooms into Career Hubs: Mapping Certification Roadmaps to Career Pathways

In the current landscape of Career and Technical Education (CTE), the terms "industry-recognized credential" (IRC) and “industry-based credential” (IBC) have become a staple of every district’s vocabulary. However, as we move through 2026, a shift is occurring in how the most successful programs view these certifications. The era of the "one-off" test—where a student takes a single exam in their senior year to satisfy a performance indicator—is giving way to a more strategic, long-term approach: Stackable Certifications .

For CTE administrators and educators, the challenge is no longer just "getting students certified." The challenge is building a cohesive, four-year narrative that takes a freshman with zero technical experience and transforms them into a career-ready professional by graduation. This is the power of a stackable pathway. It isn't just a series of tests; it is a scaffolded journey of competency, confidence, and professional identity. At CTeLearning, we work with our industry association partner Web Professionals Global to integrate stackable certifications pathways into our courses .

The Philosophy of "Stackability"

At its core, a stackable credential strategy acknowledges that professional expertise is built in layers. In the professional world, a Senior Web Developer didn't start there. They likely started by understanding basic markup, moved into design principles, mastered client-side scripting, and eventually took on project management.

By mirroring this progression in the 9-12 classroom, schools provide students with frequent "wins." These incremental milestones are vital for student retention. When a 9th grader earns a digital literacy or "Introduction to Web" badge, they aren't just gaining a certificate; they are gaining the "proof of concept" they need to stay in the program for the next three years.

Level 1: The Freshman Foundation (Exploration and Literacy)

The first year of a stackable pathway is about casting a wide net. Many students enter high school with a high degree of "digital consumption" skills but very low "digital creation" literacy. They can navigate an app, but they don't understand the architecture behind it.

In 9th grade, the focus should be on foundational certifications that validate broad-spectrum skills. This might include:

Web Literacy and Internet Safety: Understanding the "plumbing" of the internet.
Principles of Information Technology : A survey of hardware, software, and networking.

For the administrator, this level is ab out equitable access. By using br owser-based curriculum that doesn't require high-end hardware, districts can ensure that every freshman, regardless of their home environment or the age of school-issued laptops, can start their journey on equal footing. At this stage, we aren't looking for mastery; we are looking for the spark of interest that leads to a career.

Level 2: The Sophomore Shift (Specialization and Design)

Once the foundation is laid, 10th grade is the year for specialization. This is where students begin to see themselves as "creatives" or "technicians." In the Web Professionals Global framework, this often aligns with Web Design .

At this stage, the curriculum shifts from "How does the internet work?" to "How do I build for the internet?" Students dive into HTML5, CSS3, and the principles of User Experience (UX). The credential earned at the end of this year is a significant step up. It moves the student from a "digital citizen" to a "junior designer."

This is also the year where Advisory Committees provide the most value. When local business leaders see 10th graders earning design credentials, they see a pipeline of future interns. It validates that the school is teaching modern, industry-standard languages rather than legacy systems. It also provides the teacher with a clear rubric for what "industry-standard" looks like in a student portfolio.

Level 3: The Junior Deep Dive (Interactivity and Logic)

By 11th grade, the "stack" begins to gain serious market value. This is typically the year students tackle Web Animation or Web and Mobile Game Design . They move beyond the visual layer and into logic, databases, and interactivity (JavaScript, Python, or C#).

The credentials earned here are often the ones that qualify students for high-value summer internships. A junior with a validated credential in Web Development is a massive asset to local small businesses, non-profits, and government agencies.

From a policy perspective, this aligns perfectly with Perkins V requirements for "work-based learning." Because the student has two years of foundational "stacks" beneath them, they enter their junior year with the technical maturity to handle professional environments. They aren't just "shadowing" a professional; they are contributing to the codebase. This is where the ROI of the CTE program becomes visible to the entire community.

Level 4: The Senior Capstone (Management and Mastery)

The final year of the stackable pathway is the "capstone." At this point, the student has a portfolio of certifications. The 12th-grade goal is to tie them all together with a professional-grade credential like Certified Web Designer or Certified Web Animator.

This is where the "stack" becomes a "launchpad." For the student heading to a four-year university, these certifications often translate into prior learning credit or advanced placement in computer science programs. For the student heading straight into the workforce, these four years of stacked credentials serve as a "digital resume" that carries more weight than a high school diploma alone. They aren't just telling an employer they know how to code; they are showing four years of third-party validation.

The Administrative Advantage: Data and Compliance

For CTE Directors, the primary benefit of stackable credentials—beyond student success—is the cleanliness of the data. When a program relies on a single "end-of-program" test in the 12th grade, the district is taking a massive risk. If a student moves away, loses interest, or simply has a "bad test day" during senior year, four years of instruction result in zero "positive placement" data for the district.

With a stackable model, the district captures "value-added" data every single year. You can show your school board and state education agency high certification rates in the 9th grade, 10th, and so on. This consistent "met-standard" data is essential for securing Perkins V funding and demonstrating the ROI of the CTE department. It turns your program from a "cost center" into a "success engine."

The Teacher Advantage: Scaffolding and Motivation

For the instructor in the lab, stackable credentials solve the "motivation gap." Teaching a four-year sequence is a marathon. If the only reward is four years away, students (and teachers) can burn out.

By breaking the curriculum into "credential blocks," the teacher can celebrate wins every semester. This creates a "gamified" atmosphere in the classroom. Students look at their peers’ digital badges and want to "unlock" the next level. It changes the classroom culture from "I have to pass this class" to "I need to earn this industry rank." This shift in mindset reduces discipline issues and increases engagement, particularly in the critical middle-high school transition years.

Build Your Certification Success Story Today

The job market of 2026 does not care what a student studied ; it cares what a student can do . A high school diploma says a student finished a set of requirements. A stack of industry-recognized credentials says a student has been vetted by the professional world four years in a row.

Don’t wait until senior year to validate your students' hard work. Let’s build a curriculum roadmap that rewards progress at every level and ensures every student leaves your program with a tangible, stackable advantage.

Ready to see how stackable credentials can transform your CTE program? Schedule a free demo with our team so we can help you align our industry-validated curriculum with your state's Perkins V requirements.

Get in Touch Today:
Email: hello@ctelearning.com
Phone: (913) 764-4272
Contact Page: ctelearning.com/contact-us

Interested in exploring more? Check out our certification offerings and read our 2026 guide to Perkins V funding .

Why Your District Needs a Web and Mobile Game Design Pathway in 2026

Fri, 20 Mar 2026 19:09:55 GMT

Bridging the Gap Between Web Design and High-Performance Mobile Game Development

For over two decades, the Web Design course has been a cornerstone of Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs. It remains the vital entry point for students to understand the architecture of the modern world—learning how to structure data with HTML and style experiences with CSS. However, as we move into 2026, the "web" has expanded far beyond static pages. It is now a high-performance ecosystem of interactive applications and mobile services. To give your students a truly competitive edge, the natural next step isn't to replace web design, but to complement it with a Web and Mobile Game Design Pathway.

Think of our Web Design course as the "foundation and framing" of a house, and our Web and Mobile Game Design course as the "smart systems and interactivity" that make it a home. By offering both, you provide a comprehensive journey: students first learn the essential standards of the open web, and then they apply those exact same skills to the high-stakes, logic-driven world of game development. This pathway doesn't move away from the web; it moves deeper into it, teaching students how to use the same HTML5 and JavaScript they already know to create immersive, mobile-ready experiences that run on everything from a smartphone to a Chromebook.

The Engagement Crisis: Moving Beyond the "Brochure-Ware" Site

Let’s be honest: the average high school student today isn't particularly inspired by building a five-page informational website for a fictional local bakery. In an era of TikTok, high-fidelity mobile gaming, and interactive AI, the "brochure-ware" site feels like a relic.

When you pivot to a Game Design mindset, the engagement level shifts instantly. Suddenly, students aren't just learning "coding"; they are learning "mechanics." They aren't just placing images; they are managing "assets" and "sprites."

By teaching web design through the lens of game development, you tap into a student's natural desire to play and create. They learn the exact same foundational skills—logic, structure, CSS positioning, and JavaScript event listeners—but they do so with the goal of making a character jump or a score update. The frustration of a broken code block is replaced by the motivation to fix a "bug" in their game. This "gamified" approach to learning code is one of the most effective ways to lower the barrier to entry for students who might otherwise find computer science intimidating.

The Technical Reality: The Convergence of Web and Mobile

In 2026, the technical wall between a "website" and a "mobile app" has effectively vanished. Thanks to the maturation of WebAssembly (Wasm) and the component model, high-performance games and tools now run flawlessly in a browser.

Over the past five years, the technical wall between a "website" and a "mobile app" has effectively vanished. Today, even the least expensive mobile devices run applications and games flawlessly in a browser. In fact, there is now a clear advantage to having your game as a web-based app. As the developer, you can constantly update and improve your game by updating only one spot on your server, rather than needing to push out an update or patch to all your users across potentially tens of thousands of devices.

When you teach a Web and Mobile Game Design pathway, you are teaching Cross-Platform Development . Students learn that a game built with modern web technologies can be "wrapped" as a mobile app, pinned to a home screen, or played on a budget-friendly Chromebook, PC Mac Tablet or smartphone. Arguably, depending on the model of smart refrigerator, you could have your game on the screen of a refrigerator.

This hardware-neutral approach is a game-changer for district budgets. You no longer need a $2,000 "gaming rig" in a dedicated lab to teach high-level interactive design. Because these pathways are cloud-native, a student in a rural district with a basic 1:1 Chromebook has the same professional-grade capabilities as a student in a high-wealth tech hub. You are teaching them to build for the "Edge"—the network closest to the user—which is exactly where the 2026 job market is headed.

Fulfilling Perkins V: Industry-Recognized Credentials (IRCs)

For CTE Directors, the primary challenge is often proving "meaningful progress" and securing Perkins V funding through validated Industry-Recognized Credentials (IRCs). Modern state accountability systems (like the Texas IBC list we’ve discussed) are increasingly looking for certifications that prove a student can handle complex logic and data management . Building a game requires:

Variable Management: Keeping track of health, ammo, and scores.
Collision Physics: Understanding coordinate systems and logic.
User Interface (UI) and User Experience (UX): Designing for different screen sizes and input methods (touch vs. mouse).

These are high-level "Job Task Analysis" (JTA) skills. When your students walk away with a certification from an organization like Web Professionals Global , they aren't just showing they can "make a website." They are showing they can architect a functional, interactive application. This data-backed success—like the 94% pass rate seen in many of our partner districts—is exactly what auditors look for during a Perkins V review.

The "Specialist" Advantage: Escaping the Full-Stack Trap

The early 2020s were the era of the "Full-Stack Generalist," someone who knew a little bit of everything but mastered nothing. In 2026, the market has corrected. Employers are tired of "vaporware" resumes. They are looking for Verified Specialists .

By offering a Game Design pathway, you allow students to specialize early. They can choose to focus on:

Technical Art and Animation: Mastering the visual assets and "juice" that make an app feel alive.
Game Logic and Scripting: Focusing on the heavy-lifting of JavaScript or specialized game engines.
Level Design and Narrative: Understanding the psychology of the user journey—a skill that translates perfectly into modern marketing and UX design.

This specialization helps students build a Professional Portfolio that stands out. An employer looking at a pile of resumes will stop at the one that includes a link to a fully functional, browser-based mobile game. It is a tangible proof of craft that a standard "About Me" website simply cannot match.

Educational Equity: Removing the Hardware Wall

One of the biggest hurdles for CTE programs is the "hardware refresh" cycle. We’ve seen districts forced to cut their animation or game design programs because they couldn't afford to replace aging, expensive desktop PCs.

A Web and Mobile Game Design pathway solves this by moving the processing power to the cloud. When the curriculum is browser-based, the "lab" is wherever the student is. This is the ultimate equalizer. Whether a student is working from a library, a home with low bandwidth, or a high-tech classroom, the tools remain the same.

This "Zero-Friction IT" approach means teachers spend less time troubleshooting local software installs and more time actually mentoring students. For a teacher who may not be a "coding expert," a turnkey, auto-graded curriculum like CTeLearning’s provides the scaffolding they need to facilitate a high-level course without having a computer science degree.

Ready to Evolve Your CTE Pathway?

We provide the turnkey, browser-based tools and industry-recognized certifications (IRC) you need to build a high-performing game design program that administrators love and students actually want to take. Our 94% certification pass rate and Perkins V-aligned curricula are designed to help you spend less time on IT hurdles and more time mentoring the next generation of digital architects.

Whether you are looking to refresh a single course or overhaul an entire district pathway, we are here to support you with free demos, teacher training, and world-class curriculum.

Get in touch with us today:

Request a Free Demo: Book your 20-minute free demo with Calendly
Email Us: hello@ctelearning.com
Call Us: 913-764-4272

Interested in learning more? Explore our Web and Mobile Game curriculum and check out our recent article on Perkins V funding and compliance for 2026 .

Middle School: The Strategic Springboard for Career Success

Fri, 13 Mar 2026 18:27:03 GMT

The Ultimate Guide to Future-Proofing Student Pathways through Purposeful Career Exploration

In the modern educational landscape, high school is often too late to begin career exploration. By the time a student reaches the 9th grade, their schedules are often packed with graduation requirements, leaving little room for the discovery of high-wage, high-demand career pathways. The 2026-2027 academic cycle represents a turning point in educational technology; we can no longer afford to treat middle school as a "waiting room" for secondary education.

At CTeLearning, we believe middle school is the Strategic Springboard. It is t he critical window where curiosity meets capability, and where students can begin building a professional portfolio that sets them apart. By offering a diverse suite of pathways—including Web Design , Animation , Game Design , and Principles of IT —we ensure every student finds a "spark" that connects their classroom experience to their future career.

The Cognitive Advantage: Why Multi-Pathway Discovery Matters

Middle school students are at a unique neurological stage. They are moving from concrete thinking to abstract reasoning, and their social-emotional development is heavily tied to finding an identity. This is the exact moment when the "Why am I learning this?" question becomes dominant. If we don't answer that question with real-world application, we risk losing their engagement during the most formative years of their academic identity.

By introducing a variety of digital pathways, we allow students to "test-drive" different professional identities. One student might find their voice through the visual storytelling of Animation , while another finds their rhythm in the logical problem-solving of Game Design . A third might prefer the structural architecture of Web Design . This variety ensures that CTE isn't just a single elective, but a broad horizon of possibilities.

Moving from "Consuming" to "Creating"

Most middle schoolers are digital natives, but there is a vast difference between using technology and understanding it. Our curriculum is designed to bridge this gap across all our core disciplines.

The Virtual Internship Model

In our curriculum, students don't just sit through lectures. They enter a Virtual Internship environment. This simulation-based learning places them in the shoes of junior professionals.

In Web Design , they are junior developers building accessible sites for local businesses.
In Animation , they are studio artists learning the "12 Principles" to bring characters to life.
In Game Design , they are logic architects creating immersive, playable experiences.

Instead of passive learning, students enter a workflow. By shifting the perspective from consumer to creator, w e ignite a "Captain of the Ship" mindset. They are no longer passengers in their education; they are the ones steering the vessel toward a s pecific career destination.

Radical Device Neutrality: The Chromebook Solution

One of the primary barriers to robust CTE in middle school has historically been the "Hardware Wall." For years, if a school wanted to teach high-end animation or game design, they had to invest in expensive "gaming" PCs. This created a digital divide where only well-funded districts could offer these pathways.

We solved that. Our 2026-2027 curriculum is 100% cloud-native and browser-based.

Why IT Departments Love This

No Software to Install: There are no .exe files to manage, no "pushes" to schedule, and no local updates.
Low Hardware Overhead: We practice "Radical Device Neutrality." If it has a browser, it can run our high-end tools—including CTEAnimator and our game engine environments.
Equity in Access: The "homework gap" is closed. Students can start a project on a school Chromebook and finish it at home on a tablet or an old laptop. The learning is no longer tethered to a specific desk in a specific room.

The Four Pillars of the Middle School Ecosystem

I. Principles of Information Technology (The Survey)

This is the ultimate "entry point." It gives students a high-level tour of the digital economy. They explore hardware, software, networking, and the ethics of AI. It is designed to help students decide which specialized path they want to pursue next.

II. Web Design (The Architecture)

Students learn that the web isn't just something you browse; it’s something you build. We focus on industry standards: HTML, CSS, and the vital importance of Web Accessibility. In 2026, a website that isn't accessible isn't professional, and we teach our middle schoolers to build for everyone from day one.

III. Web Animation (The Storytelling)

Animation is the "hook" for many students. Using our proprietary, browser-based tools, students learn the technical stamina required for professional animation. They study squash and stretch, timing, and appeal, turning simple shapes into emotive characters.

IV. Game Design (The Logic)

Game design is the ultimate integration of art and science. Students learn the logic of "If-Then" statements, the physics of movement, and the psychology of player engagement. It turns their love of gaming into a love of engineering.

Building a "Certified" Portfolio Early

Why wait until graduation to prove workforce readiness? The 2026 job market values proof of skill over a simple diploma. Even at the middle school level, our curric ulum is aligned with Web Professionals Global standards.

When a student explores Web Design or Animation in 7th grade, they are mastering the foundational pillars that lead to Industry-Recognized Credentials (IRC). In competitive states like Texas or Florida, having a middle schooler earn a certification isn't just a "nice-to-have"—it's a measurable College and Ca reer Readiness win for the district.

The "Crawl, Walk, Run" Methodology

We recognize that middle school teachers are often the "unsung heroes" of education. They are frequently tasked with teaching subjects outside their primary expertise. Our turnkey curriculum is designed to support the educator as much as the student:

Stage 1: The Crawl

We begin with interactive, bite-sized lessons that introduce core concepts without overwhelming jargon. We focus on the "Big Picture" first. For example, before animating, students learn why we perceive motion.

Stage 2: The Walk

Students move into hands-on projects that allow for "safe failure." Exploration is encouraged. The curriculum provides the scaffolding to help them self-correct as they build their first web page or game level.

Stage 3: The Run

The course culminates in capstone projects. These are professional-grade portfolio pieces. By the end of the year, a 13-year-old student can point to a functional project and say, "I built this for a client."

Bridging the Gap to High School Programs of Study

The "Strategic Springboard" isn't just about the three years of middle school; it’s about what happens in the four years that follow. When a district implements these pathways early, they are effectively "seeding" their high school programs.

Solving the Recruitment Crisis

High school CTE directors often struggle to fill seats in advanced tracks because students are afraid to start something "hard" in the 10th grade. By introducing these concepts early, you remove the fear. The students entering high school already have the "digital vocabulary" to succeed in advanced courses, leading to higher retention rates and better certification outcomes.

Financial Sustainability and Perkins V Compliance

For administrators, the "Strategic Springboard" model is a financially sound investment. Because our courses are browser-based, the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) is significantly lower than traditional tech programs.

Perkins V Aligned: Our curriculum meets the federal requirements for "career exploration" in the middle grades.
Long-Term Savings: By eliminating recurring software licensing fees (like Adobe Creative Cloud), districts can reallocate those funds toward other student needs.
Grants and Funding: Because we provide industry-validated certifications, these programs often qualify for higher tiers of state and federal funding.

Conclusion: Future-Proofing Your Students

Middle school is no longer a "waiting room" for high school. It is the launchpad. The decisions we make for our 6th, 7th, and 8th graders today will dictate the workforce of 2030 and beyond.

By implementing the CTeLearning Multi-Pathway approach, you are giving your students more than just technical skills—you are giving them a future. You are giving them the confidence to know tha t they belong in the tech-driven economy and the tools to prove it.

Connect with CTeLearning Today

Our team is ready to help you plan your 2026–2027 academic pathways. Contact us to schedule a personalized demo or to discuss how our curriculum aligns with your specific state standards and IBC requirements.

Phone: 913-764-4272
Email: hello@ctelearning.com
Contact form: click here

Interested in reading more? Check out our curriculum offerings and article previewing our new Principles of Information Technology curriculum .

Introducing the 2026-2027 Principles of Information Technology Curriculum

Thu, 05 Mar 2026 18:13:01 GMT

As we look toward the 2026–2027 academic year, the digital landscape is no longer just a sector of the economy—it is the economy. For middle and high school students, "computing" may be a native language, but understanding the underlying architecture of Information Technology is what separates a passive consumer from a future innovator.

At CTeLearning, we are proud to announce our brand-new Principles of Information Technology course. Designed specifically to meet the evolving needs of the modern classroom, this curriculum serves as the definitive entry point for students ready to transition from scrolling apps to building them. Whether a student is in the early stages of middle school exploration or a high schooler looking to solidify their career path, this course provides the essential "why" and "how" behind the tech they use every day.

The Curriculum: Real Work for the Real World

We know that students today want to feel like their learning is relevant. They don't want a "textbook on the web," and they certainly don't want a "test prep cram session." They want to build. Our Principles of IT course is a full-credit, year-long evolution of the "Web Technologies" course many of our long-time teachers will remember. However, it has been completely reimagined for the 2026 workforce.

The Virtual Internship Experience

The heart of the course is our Virtual Internship model. We use a blend of high-production video, real-world scenarios, and project-based learning (PBL) to immerse students in a professional environment. Interactive activities allow students to practice what they have learned dynamically, receiving instant feedback that encourages "learning adaptability"—the ability to pivot when a technical challenge arises.

The College & Career Ready Portfolio

Students walk away with more than just a certification. They leave with a tangible portfolio of successfully completed work:

Functional Sites and Apps
Original Games and Logic Procedures
Digital Media and Technical Designs

These aren't just school projects; they are "products of context" that prove to an employer or an admissions officer that the student understands the fundamentals of IT and knows how to apply them to solve problems.

The Strategic Springboard: Mapping the Multi-Year Journey

What makes the Principles of IT course truly unique is its role as a "Strategic Springboard." We have engineered this curriculum to be the perfect prerequisite for our more specialized, high-impact pathways.

By mastering the core concepts of hardware, software, and networking here, students build the cognitive foundation—the technical "scaffolding"—required to excel in our advanced suites. Consider how this course feeds directly into your existing or future pathways:

Web Design : Where IT infrastructure meets user experience and accessibility.
Animation : Where technical performance meets the magic of creative storytelling.
Game Design : Where systems logic and programming meet interactive entertainment.

By starting with Principles of IT, students aren't just checking a box for a credit; they are mapping out a multi-year journey. They gain the confidence to tackle complex coding, the ethics to navigate digital citizenship, and the skills to climb into any high-wage, high-demand IT career they choose.

2026 Specializations: AI and Ethics

In response to the rapid shift in the global workforce, we have integrated two critical modules into the 2026–2027 curriculum:

AI for the Workplace: We move beyond the hype to teach students how to use Artificial Intelligence as a supportive tool for efficiency and data analysis, rather than a replacement for human creativity.
Ethics for the IT Workplace: Students can earn a specific micro-credential in ethics. As digital roles become more complex, the ability to navigate data privacy, security, and professional integrity is the most valuable "soft skill" a student can possess.

Designed for Teachers

We understand the reality of the 2026 classroom. Teachers are juggling more than ever, and time is the most precious resource. This curriculum is the kind of experiential learning every teacher would create if they had the hours to build it from scratch.

You Control the Pace: Use the course as a standalone credit or choose specific modules to engage your learners within existing classes.
Ease of Deployment: Our platform is user-friendly and self-directed, which frees you to move from the front of the room to the side of the student, focusing on coaching and motivation.
Hardware Equity: No expensive GPU-heavy stations are required. Like all our curricula, Principles of IT is PC, Mac, and Chromebook ready.

More Than Just an Intro: A Professional Edge

We believe that a "Principles" course should do more than just define terms—it should prove mastery. That is why our curriculum offers students the option to earn an internationally recognized industry certification from Web Professionals Global .

As our long-standing industry partner, Web Professionals Global represents the gold standard for web and IT professionals worldwide. This new certificate isn’t just a badge of completion; it is a professional credential that validates technical fluency and workplace readiness before a student even walks across the graduation stage. In a competitive college and career landscape, this gives your students the professional edge they need to stand out.

Conclusion: Growing the Future of IT

Investing in a Principles of Information Technology pathway is about more than just teaching computers; it is about teaching the logic of the future. By providing a clear entry point for middle and high schoolers, you are ensuring that your district is a leader in career readiness.

Ready to see how our course can transform your program?

In just 20 minutes, our Lead Developer, Steve Waddell, can show you how we can help your team and students. Contact us today for your free demo.

Email: hello@ctelearning.com
Phone (Direct): 913-764-4272
Toll-Free: 877-828-1216
Contact Form: https://www.ctelearning.com/contact

Interested in exploring more? Check out our 2026 guide to Perkins V funding .

Sustainable Landscape Design: Teaching the Skills AI Can’t Match

Mon, 02 Mar 2026 19:04:34 GMT

As artificial intelligence (AI) reshapes the global economy, a shadow of uncertainty often hangs over Career and Technical Education (CTE) planning. When headlines predict the automation of everything from accounting to code-writing, CTE Directors are rightly asking: “Which pathways will offer my students long-term job security?” The answer is rooted in the soil. While digital industries face upheaval, fields like horticulture and sustainable landscape design are emerging as "future-proof" careers. These professions exist in the organic, unpredictable world of nature—a domain where human intuition, physical dexterity, and creative judgment remain irreplaceable.

At CTeLearning, our recently revamped Horticulture and Sustainable Landscape Design curriculum is designed to prove that while AI can analyze data, it cannot "feel" the health of a landscape or manage the social complexity of an urban farm.

At a Glance: The Green Opportunity

Market Reality: The U.S. landscaping market is valued at over $153 billion, with horticulture operations exceeding $13 billion.
The Human Edge: AI lacks the tactile sensitivity for pruning and grafting, and the creative empathy required for client-based design.
Innovation: Our "Virtual Internship" model combines design concepts, with soft skills experiences that work on any device—including Chromebooks—to prepare students for the 2026 workforce.

The Tactile Gap: Why Horticulture is Naturally "Bot-Proof"

Horticulture is a blend of science and art. While an AI can calculate a nitrogen-to-phosphorus ratio, it lacks the nuanced touch required for the daily reality of plant cultivation. Our curriculum emphasizes "The Science Behind the Soil," teaching students to conduct field tests for pH and nutrient levels—tasks that require real-world observation and adaptation. In the 2026 labor market, "Hand-to-Earth" skills are becoming a premium as digital roles become saturated.

The Irreplaceable Senses

In a greenhouse, a professional horticulturist uses sight and touch to notice the subtle changes that indicate the start of a fungal outbreak. AI relies on predefined data; humans respond to micro-climates in real-time. Our course tutorials in Plant Science and Integrated Pest Management (IPM) train students to be "Biological Detectives," identifying issues before they devastate a crop. This sensory intelligence is something that current robotic sensors simply cannot replicate in a dynamic, living environment. A sensor might detect moisture, but it cannot "feel" the turgor pressure in a leaf or understand the "smell" of healthy, aerobic compost versus anaerobic decay.

Precision and Physicality

High-value tasks like delicate pruning, grafting, and seasonal nursery preparation require a level of physical sensitivity that robotics struggle to achieve at scale. Pruning is not just about cutting; it is about making a strategic decision based on the plant's future growth patterns and the specific environment. By focusing on these high-skill areas , we prepare students for roles that will always require a human at the helm. Machines are excellent at repetition in controlled environments, but the "chaos" of a biological nursery requires an adaptive human operator who can adjust their physical pressure and angle in milliseconds.

Urban Agriculture: Sustainability Meets Social Equity

One of the most significant 2026 updates to the curriculum is the inclusion of Urban Agriculture and Edible Landscapes (Foodscaping) . Urban farming isn't just about growing plants; it is about navigating the human complexity of city environments. As urban populations grow, the demand for local food systems increases, creating a massive need for managers who understand both the biology of food and the sociology of the city.

Adaptive Problem-Solving

Urban coordinators must navigate polluted soils, limited water access, and community social dynamics. AI can optimize a vertical farm's light cycle, but it cannot resolve a neighborhood dispute or educate a local school group. Our curriculum includes modules on Medicinal Landscapes and Urban Agriculture , teaching students to be community leaders who can innovate within the constraints of a concrete jungle. Critical thinking and problem solving is what all teachers want to see in their learners. This soft skill integration is what makes our students employable; they aren't just professionals, they are facilitators of green infrastructure.

The Rise of Foodscaping

The shift toward "Foodscaping"—replacing ornamental lawns with edible, sustainable ecosystems—requires a designer who understands nutrition, aesthetics, and seasonal harvesting. Our students learn to integrate fruit-bearing shrubs and perennial vegetables into traditional landscape designs. This requires a "Human-in-the-Loop" approach to ensure the landscape is not only productive but also safe for public consumption and visually appealing to local municipalities.

Sustainable Landscape Design: The Logic of Living Spaces

Sustainable landscaping is a $153 billion industry that integrates ecology with aesthetics. While generative AI can produce a "pretty" render, it lacks the Ecological Logic required for professional implementation. AI models are trained on images; they do not understand that a specific plant might be invasive in one zip code while being a keystone species in another.

Design Concepts and Scale

Through our interactive tutorials, students learn the fundamentals of scale drawing, textures, depth, and color . This "Paper-to-Pixel" workflow ensures that students understand the spatial relationships of a site before they rely on digital automation.

Modeling for the Future

A core component of our course is predicting how a design will age over 20 years. AI can project growth data, but a human designer makes the "Sustainable Choice"—balancing water management (Xeriscaping) with the client's long-term budget. Our students practice this through projects like the "Hospital Courtyard" and "Urban Park," where they must defend their design choices to a virtual client. They must explain how their choice of permeable pavers and native rain gardens will mitigate local flooding—a level of contextual justification that AI cannot generate with true accountability.

The "Virtual Apprenticeship" Advantage

CTE Directors often struggle with the cost of specialized software. We solve this by delivering the course as a Virtual Apprenticeship —a project-based simulation that works on PC, Mac, and Chromebooks. This "Hardware-Light" approach ensures that any student, regardless of their district's socioeconomic status, can access industry-standard training.

Career-Ready Portfolios

Students don't just take tests; they build a professional portfolio. By the end of the course, they have documented designs for real-world scenarios:

Curb Appeal: Enhancing residential property value through strategic plant placement.
The Retiree Project: Designing for specific accessibility needs, such as raised beds and wide, non-slip paths.
The Challenge Project: A live project where students find a local business or school to design for, applying their classroom knowledge to a tangible community need.

Ethics Training

In 2026, soft skills are the most valuable currency, which is why our curriculum includes an integrated certification in Workplace Ethics . These aren't just add-ons; they are core to helping students understand how to communicate their vision and sell a green design to a potential client. A student who can explain why a certain design is ethically responsible in the face of a drought will always be more valuable than a software operator who just clicks "render."

Embracing AI as a Supportive Partner

If AI isn't a replacement, what is it? It is an efficiency tool. We teach students to use technology to handle the "drudgery" so they can focus on high-value expertise. In the 2026 classroom, we view AI as a high-powered research assistant, not the lead designer.

Predictive Analytics: Students learn how to interpret data from smart sensors to forecast growth cycles and prevent crop loss.
Resource Optimization: Using smart water management and topography data to create resilient landscapes that can survive extreme weather events.
Climate Projections: Incorporating long-term weather data into sustainable design practices to ensure that a garden planted today will still thrive in the climate of 2045.

By merging biological intuition with technical fluency, we aren't just training landscapers; we are training Environmental Technicians ready for a high-wage workforce. These students will be the ones managing the AI systems of the future, rather than being replaced by them. They understand the "Source Code" of nature, which makes them the ultimate troubleshooters for automated green systems.

The "CTE Reality Check" for Directors

When comparing career pathways, the data is clear:

U.S. Landscaping Market: ~$153 Billion
Horticulture Operations: ~$13 Billion
CTE Alignment: Perkins V High-Skill, High-Wage, In-Demand.

This industry is a massive, stable engine of the U.S. economy. Investing in a Horticulture and Sustainable Landscape Design pathway gives students access to a $200 billion industry that is desperate for talent. Unlike the volatility of the software development sector, the "Green Sector" has shown consistent growth for over a decade. Plants don't stop growing because the stock market fluctuates, and people don't stop needing sustainable outdoor spaces because a new AI model was released.

Because our courses are browser-based, districts can deploy this curriculum immediately, reaching students in any zip code without expensive local software installs or high-end GPU requirements. This democratizes tech-heavy career paths, allowing a student in a rural community to develop the same 3D design skills as a student in a tech hub.

The Professional Mindset in the Green Sector

Beyond the technical skills, the green industry demands a specific professional posture. Our curriculum emphasizes the "Stewardship Mindset"—the idea that a professional is a caretaker of both the client's investment and the earth's resources.

Attention to Detail

In horticulture, the difference between a thriving crop and a total loss can be a single degree of temperature or a 24-hour delay in watering. We teach students that high-level professionalism requires an obsession with detail. This is practiced through our "Virtual Greenhouse" simulations where students must manage competing variables to reach a successful harvest.

Narrative and Presentation

A landscape designer is a storyteller. They must be able to walk a client through a 3D model and explain how the "story" of the garden will change from spring to autumn. Our curriculum includes "Client Pitch" simulations where students record video presentations of their designs, focusing on their tone, body language, and ability to translate technical botanical terms into benefits for the homeowner.

Conclusion: Growing the Future with CTeLearning

The fear that AI will render human labor obsolete ignores our fundamental relationship with the natural world. We don't just live on the planet; we manage it. This management requires a soul, a conscience, and a set of hands that understand the fragility of life. At CTeLearning , our curriculum is built on 20 years of feedback from teachers and industry experts. We provide a turnkey solution that includes Plant Identification, Soil Science, Design Best Practices , and Project Management . We don't just teach students how to plant; we teach them how to lead.

Ready to empower your students with a future-proof career in the green industry? Contact us today to schedule a demo of our Sustainable Landscape Design and Horticulture curriculum or to discuss how we can help you build a high-wage, high-demand CTE pathway.

Email: hello@ctelearning.com
Phone (Direct): 913-764-4272
Toll-Free: 877-828-1216

Interested in exploring other CTeLearning courses? Check out our article previewing our new Principles of Information Technology curriculum .

SkillsUSA Web Design: The 2026 National Prep Guide

Fri, 27 Feb 2026 19:42:51 GMT

The journey to the SkillsUSA National Leadership & Skills Conference (NLSC) in June is the pinnacle of a Career and Technical Education (CTE) student’s year. For the Web Design and Development competition, the stakes are exceptionally high. This is not a simple coding test; it is a high-pressure, professional-level simulation that requires a blend of technical mastery, creative agility, and corporate communication. As states across the nation prepare their gold-medal winners for the national stage, the gap between a "good" state project and a "national-caliber" performance can feel vast.

Leveraging over two decades of experience in facilitating both state and national-level SkillsUSA Web Design and Development competitions, CTeLearning has identified the critical benchmarks that separate the podium finishers from the rest of the field. This guide serves as a roadmap for State Directors, Advisors, and Students to bridge that gap and arrive in June ready to compete at the highest level of industry standards.

At a Glance: Keys to SkillsUSA Success

Master the Basics: Prioritize Semantic HTML5 and CSS over frameworks to satisfy "Ground-Up" judging rubrics.
Project and Time Management: Soft skills that will make or break you at the pressure cooker that is the national event.
Hardware Equity: Train on browser-based IDEs to mirror the National environment and ensure all students have equal access to coding power.
Industry Standards: Align curriculum with Web Professionals Global certifications to ensure students meet 2026 technical benchmarks.

Phase 1: Understanding the National "Agency" Model

The most significant hurdle for state winners is often the format of the National Competition itself. At the local or state level, students are often given a prompt and a week—or even a month—to build a site. At Nationals, the environment shifts to a "Day-in-the-Life" agency model where time management is as critical as syntax. In this 2026 landscape, the competition has evolved to reflect the remote and hybrid workflows that dominate the modern tech industry.

The Two-Person Team Dynamic

The competition is a team event for a reason. In a professional agency, a designer or developer rarely works in a vacuum. Successful teams divide and conquer effectively. One student typically focuses on the Design and User Experience (UX) —handling wireframes, asset optimization, and accessibility—while the other focuses on the Development and Architecture —writing the semantic HTML5, clean CSS3 and JavaScript (when needed). Communication between these two roles is the foundation of a winning project. State directors should encourage teams to develop a "hand-off" protocol, ensuring the designer provides the developer with all necessary specs before the clock starts ticking too fast.

The Client Interview Simulation

One of the unique "Human-in-the-Loop" elements of the SkillsUSA competition is the client interview. Competitors aren't just handed a document; they are introduced to a "client" (a judge acting a role) and given a limited window to ask discovery questions. Students must practice identifying what isn't in the prompt. They should ask about the target audience, the "Call to Action" (CTA), brand voice, and specific business goals. In 2026, judges are increasingly looking for students who can discuss "Project Scope"—identifying what can realistically be accomplished in the 8 hour competition window versus what would be a "Phase 2" development.

Phase 2: Technical Mastery and the "No-Framework" Rule

In the modern web era, many students rely on "crutches" like Bootstrap, Tailwind, Templates, or AI-powered site builders. However, the National Technical Committee strictly evaluates the "Ground-Up" knowledge of the students. Reliance on pre-built templates is often a disqualifying factor in the eyes of industry judges.

Semantic HTML5

Judges look for clean, meaningful code. This means using <header>, <main>, <footer>, and <section> tags correctly. A site that looks beautiful but is built entirely with <div> tags will lose significant points.

Modern CSS Grid/Flexbox

Students should be comfortable with modern layout techniques like CSS Grid and Flexbox. Grid is essential for the overall page structure, while Flexbox handles the alignment of items within those structures. In the 2026 competition, we are seeing a focus on "Fluid Typography" and "Logical Properties," which allow sites to adapt to internationalization and different device scales more elegantly than traditional fixed-pixel designs.

At the National Competition, the challenge intensifies as students are expected to create reactive designs for clients from scratch, strictly without the use of external frameworks like Bootstrap, React or Tailwind. This requirement ensures that competitors possess a deep, fundamental mastery of "vanilla" HTML, CSS and can engineer custom, high-performance solutions tailored to specific client needs.

This skill is more critical than ever; as of early 2026, mobile devices account for approximately 64% of all global web traffic . With nearly two-thirds of users accessing the web via smartphones, students must demonstrate that they can build seamless, mobile-first experiences to ensure their clients can effectively reach and engage their target audience.

Accessibility (A11y) and WCAG 2.2 Standards

Web accessibility is now a core requirement of the scoring rubric. National competitors must ensure their sites are compliant with WCAG 2.2 standards. This includes:

Focus Indicators: If a judge cannot see where they are on a page when using the "Tab" key, points are deducted.
Target Size: Ensuring buttons and links are large enough for mobile users to tap comfortably.
Aria-Labels: Using proper labeling for icons that don't have accompanying text.
Contrast Ratios: Maintaining a minimum of 4.5:1 for normal text to ensure readability for users with visual impairments.

Phase 3: The Integrated Design Workflow

Design is often where points are won or lost before a single line of code is written. The National Competition rewards a disciplined, documented design process that proves the students didn't just "guess" their way to a layout.

Wireframing and Content Strategy

Teams must produce wireframes that show the "bones" of the site. At Nationals, there is often a "wrinkle" where teams may be given a professional wireframe mid-competition and told to pivot. This tests their ability to follow agency-level directions rather than just their own preferences. Practice "Pivot Drills" where students must change a layout significantly halfway through a timed session. This teaches them to separate their code from their content , a hallmark of a professional developer. Oh and having to change mid project, well that is very real-world.

Asset Optimization and SVG Usage

The competition provides "raw" assets—high-resolution photos that are 5MB+ or logos in the wrong aspect ratio. National winners know how to use tools to crop, compress, and format these images for the web. In 2026, the use of SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics) for logos and icons is expected. SVGs ensure that branding remains crisp on high-density "Retina" displays without adding the weight of a traditional PNG or JPEG.

Phase 4: Establishing a National-Caliber Training Environment

States that consistently send high-performing teams to Nationals often share a common thread: they utilize a standardized learning and testing environment that mirrors the professional world throughout the school year.

Browser-Based Agility and Hardware Equity

One of the biggest stressors at Nationals is the coding environment. Students who are used to a specific desktop software can panic when faced with a different setup. Practicing in browser-based, cloud-native environments is the best way to prepare for the unpredictable hardware at a national conference. This approach also ensures Hardware Equity , allowing students in rural districts to develop the same high-level coding skills as those in well-funded tech hubs. When the tools are in the cloud, the focus shifts back to the student's logic rather than the computer's processor speed.

The "Teacher as Facilitator" Model

In many CTE programs, the instructor may not be a professional web developer. This should not be a barrier to national success. By using a curriculum that provides automated grading, real-time code previews, and industry-standard feedback, the teacher can move from "lecturer" to "facilitator." Their role becomes one of a Project Manager—guiding the students through deadlines and teamwork hurdles while the curriculum handles the technical deep-dives. The curriculum guides students through project management and the teacher helps the students think about time management. This mirrors the management structure students will encounter in the workforce.

Phase 5: The "New for 2026" Requirements

The competition standards are updated annually to keep pace with the industry. For 2026, there are critical updates that state advisors must integrate into their local preparation to ensure their winners aren't caught off guard.

The Digital Portfolio and Process Documentation

Beginning this year, teams are expected to maintain a digital portfolio that documents their process. This isn't just a gallery of finished work; it is a "Work-in-Progress" log. Judges want to see how the team handled a technical bug or a design conflict. Students should be building these portfolios throughout the year, using every class project as a piece of evidence for their skills.

AI Ethics and Prompt Engineering

While the use of AI for direct code generation is currently prohibited in most SkillsUSA technical standards to ensure foundational mastery, 2026 rubrics are beginning to evaluate "AI Ethics." Students must understand the difference between using an AI as a brainstorming partner (for color palettes or content ideas) and using it to bypass the learning process. Competitors who can explain the logic behind their code—rather than just saying "the computer did it"—will always score higher in the interview phase.

Phase 6: The State Director’s Checklist for June

To ensure your state representatives are ready to walk across that stage in June, State Directors and Advisors should facilitate the following milestones:

Timed Mock Competitions

Run a "Four-Hour Sprint." Give students a client prompt at 8:00 AM and require a finished, responsive, three-page site by Noon. The Web Professionals Global Organization will provide state competitions with a turnkey state competition package . This helps states run a model of the National Competition, better preparing their state teams for the 'big show' in Atlanta.

Technical Pre-Testing

We strongly encourage students to validate their skills before the state event. Passing a formal certification provides a massive confidence boost and ensures they have the technical baseline required for National-level rigors. Students can choose from two premier options:

Direct Industry Examination: Students can sit for the Certified Web Designer (CWD) credential directly through WebProfessionalsGlobal.org . This high-stakes, industry-recognized exam (IRC) proves mastery of professional standards in design, accessibility, and code.
The "Learn and Earn" Partnership: Students can take advantage of the unique partnership between Web Professionals Global and CTeLearning . This approach integrates learning with certification, allowing students to earn their professional credentials incrementally as they progress through their project-based curriculum.

By the time a student reaches the competition floor, they shouldn't be wondering if their code is "correct"—their certification already proves it is. They are then free to focus on the creativity and problem-solving that wins gold.

Team Interview Practice: Set up a panel of local business leaders to grill the students on their project. Can they explain why they chose a specific navigation pattern? Can they justify their color choices based on the client's target demographic? Do they understand their own motivations as web designers?

Phase 7: The Championship Mindset—Professionalism in the Trenches

Beyond the code and the wireframes, there is a distinct behavioral pattern shared by every national medalist. Success in June isn't just about what you know; it’s about how you show up.

Analog Tools in a Digital World

While the final product is digital, the best ideas often begin on paper. Competitors should arrive with pencils, paper, and a mindset ready for active listening. The ability to sketch out rapid-fire ideas during the client interview is what allows a team to move quickly once they sit down at the keyboard. High-level professionals don't start coding immediately; they map the journey first.

Radical Focus and Professional Endurance

The na tional stage is loud and distracting. Teams that reach the podium are those that put their phones down, tune out the noise, and commit to the clock. One of the most telling statistics from years of judging is this: No top-three team has ever left the floor before the competition was officially over.

Like elite industry professionals, championship teams use every available second to test, refine, and polish their solution. They don't just "finish" the site—they perfect the user experience, hunt for broken links, and ensure the client’s vision is fully realized. If there is time left on the clock, there is still work to be done.

Disclaimer and Official Resources

Our founder and lead developer, Steve Waddell, has had the privilege of volunteering with SkillsUSA judging since 2006 and serving as a member of the Web Design and Development event committee since 2011. While the insights provided in this guide are based on decades of experience in the trenches of the competition, they represent personal professional opinions and do not constitute the official stance of the Competitive Event Team. For official rules and requirements, all students and advisors must strictly review the SkillsUSA Championships Technical Standards . Members can access these standards by navigating here .

Steve had this to say about his experience working on SkillsUSA competitions: "Running the national competition is always a highlight of the year, but what makes it truly rewarding is the incredible community that comes together to support it. Every year, we are reminded of the power of collaboration as our team of dedicated web professionals—both longtime regulars and fresh faces—steps up to ensure every detail of the event is seamless. It is an honor to witness the competitors bring their best work to the table; the quality and creativity they display speak volumes about the bright future of the web design and development industry. We are also deeply grateful to the SkillsUSA national team, the tireless advisors, and the supportive families who sacrifice so much to make this experience possible. Being part of this event is something everyone should experience at least once—there is nothing quite like the energy of the final awards ceremony to remind you why we do what we do."

Conclusion

While every student dreams of a national gold medal, the true value of the SkillsUSA Web Design and Development competition is the career readiness it instills. By preparing through a rigorous, industry-aligned curriculum like the ones developed by CTeLearning, students aren't just getting ready for a competition in June—they are getting ready for a career in July. Our web design curriculum is specifically engineered to prepare students for this exact challenge, embedding the technical standards and "soft skill" requirements of the SkillsUSA competition into every lesson.

The competition is a mirror of the professional world: it is fast, it is demanding, and it rewards those who can bridge the gap between technical code and human design. Whether your state winners bring home a trophy or simply a newfound sense of professional pride, the preparation process facilitated by CTeLearning ensures they are ready for the modern workforce. We look forward to seeing the incredible talent on display this June. Let’s ensure every student arrives with the tools, the code, and the confidence to succeed.

For more information about the SkillsUSA competition or our courses , call us at 913-764-4272 or email us at hello@ctelearning.com .

Click here to read about the 2025 SkillsUSA National Competition.

Achieving Digital Inclusion in 2026 CTE Education

Tue, 17 Feb 2026 20:20:55 GMT

Redefining access in career and technical education through device neutrality and cloud-native curriculum standards

In the winter of 2026, the educational landscape stands at a crossroads. For over a decade, we have discussed the "Digital Divide" primarily through the lens of internet connectivity. We asked, “Does the student have Wi-Fi at home?” While that remains a vital question, a more insidious barrier has emerged in the era of high-performance Career and Technical Education (CTE): Digital Inclusion.

Today, a student’s career potential is often unfairly capped not by their intelligence or drive, but by the processing power of the device sitting on their desk. In 2026, true equity means providing a world-class STEM experience that doesn't crash on a low-spec machine and doesn't require a dedicated IT team to manage. The hardware in a student's hands should be a portal to opportunity, not a barrier to entry.

The New Digital Divide: Hardware as a Gatekeeper

The traditional model of technical education relied on "Heavy Software"—resource-intensive applications for animation, game design, and engineering that required $2,000 workstations to operate. If a curriculum requires a specialized lab to run, it isn't just teaching technology; it is gatekeeping it. When high-level technical skills are reserved only for those with access to expensive local hardware, we create a tiered system of opportunity. In 2026, we are seeing a shift toward democratizing these tools, ensuring that a student on a $300 Chromebook has the same shot at a 94% industry certification pass rate as a student in a private academy.

The Myth of the "High-End Lab"

For decades, the industry standard was the "Boom and Bust" cycle of hardware. A school would receive a one-time grant, buy thirty high-end workstations, and launch a brilliant new animation program. Three to five years later, the grant is gone, the hardware is obsolete, and the software updates no longer run on the aging processors. The program dies, leaving behind an expensive "computer graveyard."

In 2026, the industry has moved on. Professional web technologies, modern animation tools, and even game engines have shifted toward cloud-native and browser-based environments. At CTeLearning, we have leaned into this shift to support school budgets and IT departments. Our proprietary tools, such as CTEAnimator , are designed to run entirely in the browser. This ensures that the quality of the education is independent of the cost of the machine.

Deep Analysis: The "Zero-Friction" IT Strategy

Modern school IT departments are more overstretched than ever. Between managing cybersecurity threats and supporting the rollout of AI literacy tools, they simply do not have the bandwidth to troubleshoot local software installs on 5,000 different devices.

1. Zero Installation, Zero Headache

Browser-based learning means zero "pushing" of software from the central IT office. There are no registry errors, no DLL conflicts, and no "admin rights" hurdles for students. When a student logs into their CTeLearning portal, the software is already there, updated to the latest version, and ready to go. This "zero-touch" deployment model is the gold standard for 2026 school infrastructure.

2. Radical Device Neutrality

Whether a student is on a Chromebook, a MacBook, or a five-year-old PC, the experience is identical. This removes the "it doesn't work on my computer" excuse that has historically plagued STEM classrooms. Teachers are liberated to focus on instruction and mentorship rather than acting as "de-facto" IT support agents. In a device-neutral environment, the pedagogy remains consistent regardless of the silicon under the hood.

3. Sustainability and TCO (Total Cost of Ownership)

By moving to browser-based curriculum, districts can extend the "educational life" of their current hardware fleet by 24–36 months. Total Cost of Ownership is drastically reduced because schools are no longer paying for high-end GPUs or massive RAM upgrades. This allows administrators to reallocate capital expenditure funds toward Teacher Professional Development or Student Certification Fees , creating a more sustainable financial model for the long term.

Real-World Industry Standards in a Browser

A common misconception in 2026 is that "Browser-Based" means "Watered Down." This couldn't be further from the truth. The modern web is built on the web. Professional developers at Google, Netflix, and Amazon use browser-based IDEs and cloud-computing environments as their daily drivers.

By teaching students to build within the browser, you are teaching them Cloud-Native Proficiency —a skill that is arguably more valuable in the 2026 workplace than knowing how to navigate a local file directory on a Windows PC. Our curriculum ensures that students are meeting rigorous standards set by industry professionals. They are learning:

Responsive Design: Building sites that work on everything from a 4K monitor to a smartphone.
WCAG 2.2 Accessibility: Ensuring digital content is usable for everyone, including those with disabilities.
Semantic HTML5 & CSS4: Mastering the latest native browser capabilities that have reduced the need for bloated third-party libraries.
Cloud-Native Logic: Managing assets and code in distributed environments, mirroring how modern tech giants operate.

These are the skills that lead to high-wage, high-demand careers, regardless of whether the student is working on a library computer or a high-end rig.

The "Anywhere, Anytime" Learning Model

Digital inclusion isn't just about what happens in the classroom; it's about what happens at the kitchen table. If a student can only work on their projects in a specific school lab, their learning time is capped by the school bell. This disproportionately affects students who have part-time jobs, family responsibilities, or lack transportation.

By using device-neutral pathways, students can start an animation project on a district PC during 2nd period and finish it on a Chromebook at the library that evening. This flexibility is essential for rural students who spend hours on a bus. This model mirrors the modern remote-work economy , preparing students for the reality of professional life in 2026, where "where" you work is less important than "what" you produce. This "fluid classroom" concept is a cornerstone of modern educational equity.

Fostering Professional Identity and Accessibility

A student shouldn't have to wait until college to feel like a "Professional." When a student realizes they can build a functional video game or a professional-grade animation on the same Chromebook they use for English class, their self-efficacy skyrockets. They no longer see STEM as something "other people" do in "fancy labs"—they see it as a career path that is accessible to them, right now.

This accessibility is particularly critical for Middle School Career Exploration . If we want students to enter high school CTE pathways, we must give them a "win" early on. By removing hardware as a barrier, we ensure that every student, regardless of their family's economic status, has a seat at the table of the 2026 tech economy. We are essentially democratizing the tools of production, moving from an elitist model of STEM to a populist one.

Fiscal Responsibility and Grant Justification

For administrators, digital inclusion is a powerful narrative for Perkins V grant applications and school board presentations. When applying for federal funds or local technology levies, you can prove that you are maximizing every dollar by choosing sustainable technology that works on existing district assets.

Instead of asking for a $100,000 hardware refresh every three years, you are investing in a curriculum that remains current regardless of hardware shifts. This fiscal responsibility appeals to taxpayers and auditors alike. It changes the conversation from "How much hardware do we need to buy?" to "How many students can we certify this year?" In 2026, the answer should always be "every student," not just the few who have access to a specialized lab. This shift in metric—from hardware inventory to student certification—is a hallmark of a high-performing district.

The Role of Mobile-First Development

In 2026, over 80% of global web traffic is mobile. Any curriculum that only works on desktop workstations is teaching students to build for a world that no longer exists. When students see their website or animation perfectly rendered on their own smartphone, the connection between "school work" and "the real world" becomes undeniable. They are learning to navigate the complexities of touch-interfaces and varying screen orientations—mandatory skills for any modern developer. This "Mobile-First" mindset is ingrained in our curriculum, ensuring students are not just computer users, but mobile-ecosystem architects.

Addressing the Teacher's Hardware Burden

It isn't just students who suffer from the hardware gap; teachers do too. In the 2026 teacher-shortage environment, we cannot afford to lose high-quality CTE instructors to burnout caused by technical troubleshooting. Many CTE teachers are expected to manage the hardware in their own labs, acting as "de facto" IT support.

By moving to a device-neutral system, we liberate the teacher from the burden of hardware maintenance. They no longer spend their planning periods fixing broken drivers or reinstalling software after a crash. This leads to higher teacher satisfaction and allows them to do what they do best: teach and mentor. A focused teacher is the most valuable "hardware" any classroom can have.

Psychological Impact: Removing the "Have vs. Have-Not" Barrier

When students enter a classroom and see half the room on high-powered desktops and the other half on underpowered tablets, a psychological hierarchy is immediately established. The students on the "lesser" devices internalize a sense of "lesser" potential.

Device-neutrality erases this visual and functional hierarchy. When the software runs identically across every device in the room, the focus shifts back to the student's creativity and effort. We eliminate the "Tech-Anxiety" that prevents many students from even attempting advanced technical projects. In 2026, our goal is to foster a "Growth Mindset" that is unencumbered by hardware limitations.

Strengthening the CLNA with Hardware Data

Under Perkins V, the Comprehensive Local Needs Assessment (CLNA) requires districts to prove they are addressing gaps in student performance. Lack of hardware access is often the "hidden variable" in low performance scores. By documenting a shift to device-neutral learning, administrators can provide auditors with clear evidence of how they are actively removing systemic barriers to student success. This data is invaluable during state monitoring visits and provides a robust defense of your Perkins spending strategy.

Future-Proofing: Preparing for the 2030 Workplace

By 2030, the concept of "installing software" will likely be a relic of the past for most knowledge workers. The workplace of the future is distributed, cloud-native, and collaborative. By using browser-based professional tools today, students are developing the workflow habits they will need for the rest of their careers. They are learning how to manage cloud assets, collaborate in real-time on shared documents, and troubleshoot network-based issues. These are "transferable skills" that remain relevant even as specific programming languages or design tools evolve.

Industry Partnerships: The Web Professionals Global Seal

Our commitment to digital inclusion and hardware equity is backed by our partners at Web Professionals Global . They recognize that the next generation of web architects will come from every corner of the country, not just high-tech hubs. By validating our browser-based approach, they ensure that the certifications your students earn carry full weight in the professional market. A certification earned on a Chromebook is indistinguishable from one earned on a high-end workstation—because the skills required to earn it are identical.

The Role of Open Standards

Our device-neutral strategy is built on the foundation of Open Standards . By leveraging HTML5, CSS4, and WebGL, we ensure that our curriculum stays compatible with every modern browser. This prevents "vendor lock-in" and ensures that schools are never at the mercy of a single hardware or software provider’s proprietary ecosystem. Open standards are the bedrock of educational freedom and long-term sustainability.

Scalability: From One Classroom to an Entire State

Because our tools require zero installation, scaling a CTE program from a single pilot classroom to an entire state-wide initiative is a matter of days, not years. There is no need for coordinated hardware refreshes or massive IT rollouts. This scalability is why more state directors are looking at device-neutral curriculum as the most efficient way to meet their workforce development goals. We are moving from "Local Solutions" to "State-Wide Career Pipelines."

Conclusion: Bridge the Equity Gap Today

Don't let your school's hardware limitations define your students' futures. CTeLearning is ready to help you implement a robust, browser-based CTE program that levels the playing field for every learner. From high-end animation to advanced web coding, we provide the tools that work on the hardware you already have.

The future of STEM is not found in a proprietary box or a high-end graphics card; it is found in the cloud, in the browser, and in the minds of students who are given the opportunity to create without limits. By embracing Digital Inclusion , you are making a profound statement about the value of every student in your district. You are telling them that their potential is limited only by their imagination, not by the device in their hands.

Would you like to start a conversation about your district’s 2026 technology plan? Contact us today to request a "Hardware Compatibility Audit" and see how our curriculum can save your budget while empowering your students.

Office: 913-764-4272
Toll-Free: 877-828-1216
Email: hello@ctelearning.com
Contact Form: www.ctelearning.com/contact

Interested in more of our articles? Read about the importance of middle school CTE education .

Perkins V Compliance Guide: 2026 CTE Funding & IRC Strategy

Fri, 13 Feb 2026 03:18:40 GMT

As we navigate the 2025-2026 academic year, the federal expectations for Career and Technical Education (CTE) have undergone a significant maturation. It is no longer sufficient for a district to simply point to a computer lab and claim "workforce readiness." Under the current iteration of the Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act (Perkins V) , funding is strictly tied to measurable quality, equity of access, and—most importantly—alignment with the Comprehensive Local Needs Assessment (CLNA) .

For CTE Teachers, Directors, and Superintendents, the stakes are exceptionally high. Federal auditors and state agencies are looking for more than participation numbers; they are looking for Credentials of Value . This guide explores how to strategically align your digital media, coding, and design pathways to ensure your program remains a "safe harbor" for Perkins V funding while delivering world-class outcomes for your students. We are currently entering the critical 2026-2029 State Plan cycle, meaning the decisions made this quarter will dictate your funding eligibility for the next several fiscal years.

Understanding the CLNA: The Foundation of Your Funding

The Comprehensive Local Needs Assessment is not just a paperwork hurdle; it is the diagnostic heart of your program. In 2026, the CLNA requires a "diverse body of stakeholders," including local industry leaders, to validate that what you are teaching actually reflects the modern labor market.

To maximize your local application for Perkins funds, your CLNA must identify specific gaps in student performance. If your data shows that students from underrepresented backgrounds are not completing pathways at the same rate as others, your funding must be targeted toward "program improvement" to bridge that gap. This is where our device-neutral strategy becomes a critical compliance tool. By removing hardware barriers, you are solving the equity requirement of Perkins V before a student even logs in.

The IRC Gold Standard: Your Compliance Shield

The most effective way to protect your Perkins V funding is to integrate Industry-Recognized Credentials (IRC) into the core of your curriculum. However, as the tech landscape becomes saturated with "digital badges," there is a clear distinction between an "attendance certificate" and a validated credential.

Perkins V Section 134 specifically mandates that funded programs must be of sufficient "Size, Scope, and Quality." In 2026, "Quality" is increasingly defined by third-party validation. By aligning our High School CTE Curriculum with an international professional body, we move the burden of proof from the teacher to the industry. When an auditor asks how you know your Web Design program is current, you don't show them a textbook; you show them a credential path that is updated annually based on global industry standards. This ensures that the state’s investment is buying a future-proof skill set.

Deep Dive: The Job Task Analysis (JTA) Framework

One of the core requirements of the CLNA is proving labor market alignment. The technology of 2026 moves at the speed of AI, not the speed of bureaucratic updates. To remain compliant, your curriculum must be based on a Job Task Analysis (JTA) —the process where industry experts define exactly what an entry-level professional must know today .

Our pathways in Web Design , Animation , and Game Design are built on JTAs. For example, our Web Design curriculum reflects the 2026 shift toward AI Ethics, Responsive Design, and WCAG 2.2 Accessibility . By teaching these specific, high-demand skills, your program naturally aligns with the "High-Wage, High-Demand" requirement of Perkins V Section 134(c). Furthermore, we ensure that our Job Task Analyses are mapped directly to the U.S. Department of Labor’s O*NET database, providing the precise coding required for state-level reporting. Without a JTA-backed curriculum, your program is at risk of being labeled "out of alignment" during a state monitoring visit.

The 94% Metric: Data-Driven Accountability

The ultimate proof of a program's success is its pass rate. Many districts struggle with certification exams because the curriculum is disconnected from the test. CTeLearning boasts a 94% first-attempt pass rate for secondary students. This isn't just a point of pride; it is a critical data point for your state's "Prepared for Success" metrics.

High pass rates signal to grant writers and federal agencies that your Perkins V dollars are being invested in a system that works. In 2026, where "Return on Investment" (ROI) is the buzzword in education finance, being able to demonstrate that 9 out of 10 students are leaving your program with a professional-grade IRC is the most powerful argument you can make for continued and expanded funding. It justifies the cost per student and makes the "Program Quality" indicator easy to defend.

WIOA and the Workforce Pipeline Alignment

The 2026 "Combined State Plan" model increasingly aligns Perkins V with the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) . This means high school pathways are no longer siloed; they are expected to feed directly into the local workforce, apprenticeships, or post-secondary education.

Through our partnership with Web Professionals Global , your students aren't just "taking a class." They are entering a professional ecosystem. They earn credentials recognized by the U.S. Department of Labor , facilitating a seamless transition from the classroom to a career. This alignment is essential for districts looking to secure "Innovation Grants" or "Governor's Workforce" funds that sit outside the standard Perkins formula. When your program is WIOA-aligned, you open the door to Department of Labor funding that can supplement your education budget and provide for paid student internships.

The Role of Professional Development in Compliance

Perkins V explicitly allows for the use of funds to support professional development for CTE educators. In 2026, the rapid rise of AI and low-code/no-code platforms means that even experienced teachers need upskilling. CTeLearning doesn't just provide a student login; we provide a comprehensive teacher support system. Our curriculum includes teacher training modules that ensure your staff is as "industry-current" as the software they are teaching. This satisfies the Perkins mandate for high-quality, sustained professional development. An empowered teacher is the best defense against program stagnation and is a key factor in student retention within the pathway.

Leveraging the "Device Neutral" Advantage for Funding

In the 2026 budget environment, capital expenditures are under a microscope. Traditional CTE programs often require expensive, high-end workstations that become obsolete within three years. This creates a "funding cliff" that many districts cannot sustain. By choosing our browser-based curriculum , districts can reallocate their Perkins hardware budget toward student certification fees or expanded program offerings.

This "Hardware Equity" is a powerful narrative for your CLNA. It proves that you are maximizing federal dollars by choosing sustainable technology that works on existing district Chromebooks. You are no longer asking for money for "computers"; you are asking for money for "careers." This shift in language is vital when presenting your local application to school boards and state agencies who are wary of recurring technology costs.

Accountability and Performance Indicators

Perkins V identifies several Core Indicators of Performance that every director must track. These include graduation rates, academic proficiency, and postsecondary placement. However, the most challenging indicator for many is the Attainment of Postsecondary Credits or Credentials .

In the 2026 landscape, state education agencies are increasingly skeptical of "locally developed" certificates. They want to see credentials that have "portability"—meaning they are recognized across state lines and by private industry. Our pathways are designed specifically to satisfy this portability requirement. By the time a student reaches their "concentrator" status (the second or third course in a sequence), they are already prepared for exams that carry national weight. This simplifies your reporting and ensures your program remains in the "green" on state accountability dashboards.

Collaborative Partnerships: Industry and Education

Finally, Perkins V emphasizes the importance of partnerships. Your program must prove that it has an active advisory committee. CTeLearning essentially acts as your "extended advisory board." We provide the industry research, the updated JTAs, and the professional networking that many smaller districts struggle to coordinate on their own. We help you tell the story of your program's relevance to the 21st-century economy.

We also assist in navigating the nuances of the "Reserve Fund"—a portion of Perkins funding that states can set aside for innovative programs in rural areas or areas with high concentrations of CTE students. Because our curriculum is easily deployable in any environment, it is an ideal candidate for these specialized grant applications.

Conclusion: Securing Your Program’s Future

Navigating the complexities of Perkins V doesn't have to be a solo journey. We are dedicated to providing the standards-aligned, industry-validated, and device-neutral curriculum you need to keep your program compliant and your students successful. By focusing on IRCs of value, data-driven accountability, and industry-backed JTAs, you are not just checking a box for an auditor—you are building a future-proof pipeline for your community.

Success in 2026 requires a shift from "teaching a subject" to "building a career pathway." With the right curriculum partner, your district can transform its CTE offerings into a flagship of modern education that stands up to federal scrutiny and, more importantly, changes student lives.

Contact our team today to schedule a consultation on aligning your digital media pathways for 2026 and beyond.

Phone: 913-764-4272
Toll-Free: 877-828-1216
Email: hello@ctelearning.com
Request a Demo: www.ctelearning.com/contact

Interested in more of our articles? Read about the importance of middle school CTE education .

Best Adobe Animate Alternative for High School & Middle School CTE

Tue, 03 Feb 2026 19:49:27 GMT

On February 2, 2026, Adobe confirmed what many in the industry had long suspected: Adobe Animate is being discontinued. After more than 25 years of service—dating back to its origins as FutureSplash and the legendary Macromedia Flash—Adobe is officially pulling the plug on its signature 2D vector animation suite.

The Timeline You Need to Know:

March 1, 2026: Adobe Animate will be removed from sale. New downloads will cease for standard users.
March 1, 2027: Support and file access for individual and small business accounts will end.
March 1, 2029: A "Stay of Execution" for Enterprise and Education accounts ends, at which point all technical support and file cloud services will be fully deprecated.

For Career and Technical Education (CTE) directors, this isn't just a software change; it's a programmatic disruption. If your high school or middle school pathways are built around Animate, your 2026-2027 planning needs to start now .

Why Now? The Pivot to "AI Paradigms"

Adobe’s justification for this move is a strategic shift toward Generative AI. The company has stated that Animate "no longer serves users' needs as it once did," pointing instead to tools like Adobe Express and the Puppet Tool in After Effects.

However, professional animators are already pushing back. While Adobe Express offers "one-click" AI animation for social media and After Effects excels at cinematic motion graphics, neither provides the frame-by-frame, vector-based control or the interactive HTML5/Canvas export capabilities that made Animate unique. This leaves a "missing middle" in the classroom—a gap where true foundational animation skills used to live.

The CTE Crisis: State Standards and IRCs

Many state education departments specifically list "Adobe Animate" within their CTE frameworks. If the software is discontinued, districts face three major hurdles:

Compliance: How do you meet state standards if the required software is no longer sold?
Certification: Many Industry-Recognized Credentials (IRCs) are software-specific. If the tool dies, does the credential lose value?
Hardware Incompatibility: Adobe’s replacement tools, particularly After Effects, require significant processing power and RAM. Most district-issued Chromebooks or older lab PCs simply cannot run these AI-heavy alternatives.

The CTeLearning Solution: Stability in a Shifting Market

At CTeLearning, we have always advocated for a "Software-Agnostic" approach to education. We believe that a student should be an Animator, not just an "Adobe User." Here is how we are helping our partners navigate this transition:

CTEAnimator: The Chromebook-Ready Alternative

We recognized the hardware and licensing barriers years ago. That’s why our turnkey Web Animation curriculum includes our CTEAnimator—a free, web-based creative suite that requires no installation. It runs perfectly on Chromebooks, Macs, and PCs, ensuring that your students can keep creating even as legacy software disappears. And there is no teacher knowledge or expertise required—we equip you to succeed starting on day one.

Fundamentals Over Features

Our curriculum is built on the 12 Principles of Animation. Whether a student eventually moves to AfterEffects, UnReal, Moho, or some future professional animation platforms, they will have the foundational understanding of squash-and-stretch, timing, and weight that makes them employable. We teach the science of movement, making your students "Future-Proof."

Validated Industry Credentials

We partner with Web Professionals Global to provide certifications that validate competency, not just software clicks. Our Certified Web Animator credential focuses on the ability to produce professional-grade animation for the modern web—a skill set that remains in high demand regardless of which software brand is currently on top.

Strategic Steps for CTE Directors This Month

If you are responsible for an animation or digital media pathway, here is your 2026 checklist:

Inventory Your Files: Adobe has warned that after support ends, cloud-saved .FLA and .XFL files may be deleted. Start exporting critical student work to SVG or MP4 now.
Update Your CLNA: Ensure your Comprehensive Local Needs Assessment reflects the need for modern, sustainable, and device-neutral animation tools.
Consult Your Certification Partners: Ask if your current IRC providers have a transition plan for the post-Animate landscape.

Let’s Build a Sustainable Pathway Together

The end of Adobe Animate is an opportunity to move your program away from expensive, hardware-intensive software and toward a more equitable, professional, and sustainable model. At CTeLearning, we don't just sell curriculum; we provide a partnership with zero upfront hardware costs. We handle the technical shifts so you can focus on what matters most: your students’ "lightbulb moments."

Contact the CTeLearning Team Today

Don't let the Adobe transition leave your program in the dark. Reach out to our development team for a free consultation on modernizing your animation pathway for the 2026-2027 school year.

Office: 913-764-4272
Toll-Free: 877-828-1216
Direct Email: hello@ctelearning.com
Schedule a Demo: www.ctelearning.com/contact

Interested in exploring more? Check out our 2026 guide to Perkins V compliance and funding .

How CTeLearning Helps Schools Overcome the Challenges of Teaching Web Design

Thu, 22 Jan 2026 20:13:17 GMT

If you are a Career and Technical Education (CTE) teacher tasked with leading a web design program, you might feel overwhelmed.

On one side, you have the rapid-fire evolution of the tech industry, where frameworks and AI tools change by the month. On the other, you have tightening budgets, varying levels of student readiness, and the administrative pressure to deliver industry-recognized results.

Many educators find themselves assigned to these courses with the expectation that they can simply "figure it out." But teaching web design in 2026 is about navigating a complex landscape of security, ethics, and professional standards.

At CTeLearning, we have spent over two decades listening to the concerns of educators and identified 15 specific "pain points" that may keep teachers from delivering the best web design experience possible for their students. Let's take a look at these challenges and how we can help.

The Challenges

1. The Expertise Gap

Many teachers are moved into CTE roles based on their general teaching ability, not a decade of experience as a senior developer. This leads to a constant fear of inadequacy when a student asks a high-level technical question.

2. The "Moving Target" Curriculum

Web design evolves faster than any textbook. Teachers worry about teaching "raw HTML" in a way that feels outdated, failing to provide the modern context of responsive design and AI-assisted workflows.

3. Chronic Underfunding

Professional design suites come with heavy price tags. Budget constraints often mean students are left using "lite" versions or outdated hardware that doesn't reflect the professional world.

4. The Digital Literacy Crisis

Surprisingly, many "digital native" students lack basic computer literacy. Teachers find themselves losing weeks of instruction time teaching students how to manage files, use keyboard shortcuts, or even navigate a directory.

5. Student Disengagement

If the curriculum is just a series of repetitive coding exercises, students check out. Maintaining motivation in a subject that requires high-level problem-solving is an uphill battle.

6. Accessibility and Diverse Needs

Teaching "inclusive design" is now an industry standard. Educators struggle to accommodate diverse learners while also teaching the universal design principles required for modern websites.

7. The AI & Plagiarism Dilemma

With the rise of AI code generators, ensuring original student work has become a primary concern. How do you grade a project when the code might have been written by a bot?

8. Cybersecurity and Data Privacy

Every time a student creates an account or hosts a project, they are at risk. Teachers feel the weight of protecting student data and teaching safe practices in a world of rising school cyberattacks.

9. Lack of Professional Development

Teachers rarely have the time to go back to school themselves. Without ongoing, relevant training, they feel underprepared to lead a cutting-edge program.

10. Lab Time and Hardware Constraints

Web design is a hands-on sport. Shared devices, slow internet, and large class sizes make it difficult to give every student the "seat time" they need to master the craft.

11. The Certification Hurdle

Aligning a local syllabus with rigorous industry certifications (like those from Web Professionals Global ) is time-consuming and difficult to manage across different learning environments.

12. The Digital Divide at Home

Even if the school has a great lab, what happens at home? Students without reliable internet or personal computers fall behind on project-based work.

13. CTE Stigma

Parents and counselors sometimes view web design as a "lesser" elective rather than a high-paying career path, which can negatively impact enrollment and departmental support.

14. Securing Internships

Building a bridge to the local tech industry is logistically hard. Finding partners for work-based learning requires a level of networking that busy teachers simply can't manage alone.

15. The "Vetting" Fatigue

There are thousands of "free" tutorials online. Choosing materials that are actually safe, accurate, and aligned with state standards is a full-time job in itself.

How CTeLearning Can Help

We don’t just build curriculum; we build a support system for the teacher. Here is how we specifically solve these 15 concerns across five key categories.

Category 1: Empowering the Teacher

Our curriculum is turnkey and industry-aligned . We’ve done the vetting for you.

Instructional Heavy Lifting: With over 120 professional tutorial videos and interviews with industry experts, the "teaching" is shared. You shift from being the sole source of knowledge to being a high-value mentor.
Always Current: We monitor industry trends so you don't have to. When the industry shifts, our curriculum shifts. You’ll never be caught teaching "outdated" methods.
Direct Support: Our professional development isn't just a manual; it’s a partnership. You get direct access to our development team to ensure you feel confident in the classroom.

Category 2: Solving the Infrastructure & Budget Crisis

We believe equity in education starts with device-neutral learning .

Work Anywhere: Our platform is entirely web-based. It runs on PCs, Macs, and—critically—Chromebooks.
Zero Software Costs: We leverage professional-grade, free, and open-source tools. You don't need a massive budget for licenses to give your students a world-class experience.
Closing the Divide: Because everything is in the cloud, students can pick up their work at the library or at home on an older laptop, ensuring no one is left behind by their home technology.

Category 3: Building "Whole Professionals"

We fight disengagement by making the work meaningful .

Foundations First: We don't skip the "boring stuff." We build digital literacy—file management and tech fundamentals—into the early modules so students gain confidence immediately.
Virtual Internships: Students don't just "do homework." They work for virtual clients in a simulated agency. This "story-based" learning proves the value of CTE to students, parents, and counselors alike.

Category 4: Teaching Ethics and Security in the AI Age

In 2026, you cannot teach web design without teaching ethics .

Embedded Ethics: Every course includes a micro-credential in workplace ethics. We teach students the why behind original coding and the importance of transparency when using AI.
Safety by Design: Our platform is built with student privacy as a foundational pillar, taking the "cybersecurity" weight off the teacher's shoulders.

Category 5: Delivering Career-Ready Results

We turn classroom time into career currency .

Industry Certifications: Our partnership with Web Professionals Global is built directly into the course. Students who work through the course and earn the Web Professionals Global certification have a career-building credential they can take with them into future educational and professional endeavors. With a 94% pass rate for secondary students, you can prove the effectiveness of your program to your administration.
Portfolios for Life: Students graduate with a professional portfolio of real-world projects. This is the "bridge" to local internships and work-based learning that used to be so hard to secure.

Your Next Step: See it in Action

Reading about a solution is one thing; seeing it is another. We invite you to experience how our "turnkey" approach can transform your classroom environment. At CTeLearning, we create the curriculum you would develop yourself if you had an extra 40 hours a week to do it.

Ready to see how we can transform your classroom? Schedule a free, 20-minute demo to walk through the curriculum, explore our "virtual internship" model, and see how we can help you address these concerns (and any other concerns you may have).

Email: hello@ctelearning.com
Phone: 913-764-4272
Toll-Free: 877-828-1216

Interested in reading more? Check out our article on the importance of digital inclusion in 2026 CTE education .

Why CTE Curriculum Matters More Than Ever in 2026

Fri, 02 Jan 2026 20:17:22 GMT

Let's be honest: the classroom looks a lot different than it did even five years ago. Technology is advancing at breakneck speed, entire industries are being transformed, and the skills students need to succeed are evolving just as quickly. If you're a CTE teacher, you already know this better than anyone. You're on the front lines, preparing students not just for jobs that exist today, but for careers that are still being invented.

So why does teaching CTE curriculum matter so much right now, in 2026? Let’s take a look at the state of career and technical education and how CTeLearning can help your school meet its goals.

The Skills Gap Isn't Going Anywhere—It's Getting Wider

We've all heard about the skills gap, and unfortunately, it's still very much a reality. In fact, it's arguably more pronounced now than ever before. Employers across industries—from healthcare to advanced manufacturing to information technology—are struggling to find qualified candidates. They're not just looking for people with degrees; they're looking for people who can actually do the work from day one.

Walk into any industry conference, read any workforce development report, or talk to any hiring manager, and you'll hear the same refrain: "We need people with hands-on skills." Businesses are tired of spending months training new employees on basics that could have been covered in high school or a short post-secondary program. They want graduates who understand workplace expectations, who can troubleshoot problems, who know how to use industry-standard tools and technologies.

That's where you come in. CTE programs provide hands-on, real-world training that bridges the gap between education and employment. When you teach web design, animation, game development, coding, robotics, or any other CTE pathway, you're not just teaching a subject. You're opening doors to viable, well-paying careers that students can start pursuing right after high school or through a certificate program at a community college.

Your classroom is where theory meets practice. It's where students learn that work requires more than just knowing facts—it requires the ability to apply knowledge, adapt to challenges, and collaborate with others to solve real problems.

Students Need Options Beyond the Four-Year Degree

For decades, we pushed the narrative that everyone needs to go to a four-year college to be successful. We made students feel like anything less was settling. But the reality is that path isn't right for everyone—and that's not just okay, it's something we should celebrate.

In fact, many of the fastest-growing, highest-paying jobs don't require a bachelor's degree at all. Web developers, UX designers, digital animators, game designers, software testers, mobile app developers—these careers offer excellent salaries, job security, and opportunities for advancement, all without requiring students to take on tens of thousands of dollars in student loan debt.

Your CTE classroom offers students a different path, one that's just as valuable and often more practical for their individual circumstances and goals. You're showing them that success doesn't have to look the same for everyone. Some students will discover a passion for web animation, others for game development, and still others for artificial intelligence and robotics. By providing these options, you're empowering students to make informed choices about their futures based on their interests and strengths, not just societal expectations or pressure from well-meaning adults who assume college is the only path forward.

Career Readiness Starts in Your Classroom

One of the most powerful things about CTE is that it doesn't just teach technical skills—it teaches professional skills that transfer across any career path. Time management, teamwork, problem-solving, communication, attention to detail, taking constructive criticism, meeting deadlines—these are the soft skills that employers consistently say they value most, and they're woven into the fabric of quality CTE programs.

When students work on projects in your classroom, they're not just learning content. They're learning how to show up on time, how to work with people who have different strengths and weaknesses, how to manage their time when juggling multiple responsibilities, and how to accept feedback and use it to improve their work. They're learning what it means to take pride in a job well done and to take responsibility when something doesn't go as planned.

Think about it: when a student in your web design program debugs a complicated CSS layout issue, they're not just demonstrating technical knowledge. They're demonstrating critical thinking, systematic troubleshooting, and persistence through challenges. When animation students plan and execute a complete animated short, they're demonstrating project management, time management, and the ability to see a creative vision through from concept to completion. When coding students debug their JavaScript and get their mobile app working, they're demonstrating resilience, analytical thinking, and attention to detail.

These are the work habits and professional mindset that students will need in any career, whether they end up in the field they studied in your classroom or pivot to something entirely different later in life. You're not just preparing them for a job; you're preparing them for the workplace itself and for the kind of continuous learning and adaptation that modern careers require.

AI and Technology Integration Is Transforming CTE

In 2026, we can't talk about CTE education without addressing the elephant in the room: artificial intelligence and emerging technologies. These tools aren't replacing CTE education—they're transforming it and making it more important than ever.

The students in your classroom right now will enter a workforce where understanding how to work alongside AI and emerging technologies is just as important as understanding the fundamentals of their trade. The web designer who can leverage AI for rapid prototyping. The animator who understands how to use AI-assisted tools while maintaining their creative vision. The developer who knows how to implement machine learning features. These are the professionals who will thrive.

But technology integration goes beyond AI. Think about cloud-based design platforms that enable collaboration and real-time feedback. Digital portfolio tools that help students showcase their work to potential employers and college admissions offices. Interactive coding environments where students can experiment and get immediate feedback. Online certification exams that provide students with industry-recognized credentials they can add to their resumes.

These technologies allow students to practice skills, receive feedback, and refine their techniques in ways that simply weren't possible a decade ago. They make learning more engaging, more personalized, and more aligned with the actual tools and workflows students will encounter in professional settings.

Industry Certifications Matter More Than Ever

One of the most valuable things you can offer students is the opportunity to earn industry-recognized certifications while still in high school. These aren't just pieces of paper—they're credentials that employers recognize and value. They signal to hiring managers that a student has demonstrated competency in specific skills and knowledge areas according to standards set by industry professionals.

These certifications can be transformative for students. Imagine a student bringing home their first industry-based certificate to show their family. For many students, especially those who haven't always excelled in traditional academic settings, this is a powerful moment of validation and pride. It's proof that they have real, marketable skills that employers care about.

For students heading directly into the workforce after graduation, these certifications can be the difference between getting an entry-level job and being passed over for someone with more credentials. For students heading to college, these certifications can translate into course credits, saving them time and money on their degree. And for students who aren't sure what path they want to take, certifications provide options and open doors.

You Deserve the Right Resources and Support

Now here's the reality check we need to have: teaching CTE is incredibly rewarding, but it can also be exhausting and overwhelming. You're juggling so much: curriculum updates to keep pace with industry changes, safety protocols and equipment maintenance, certification requirements and testing schedules, managing supplies and budgets, coordinating with industry partners, and everything else that comes with running a hands-on, project-based program.

On top of that, you're expected to stay current with emerging technologies, adapt your teaching to new standards and regulations, differentiate instruction for diverse learners, and somehow find time for your own professional development. It's a lot. More than a lot, actually.

You shouldn't have to reinvent the wheel or figure everything out on your own. You need curriculum that's well-designed, aligned with industry standards, engaging for students, and actually works in real classrooms. You need resources that save you time rather than creating more work. You need support from people who understand what you're up against and respect the complexity of what you do.

How CTeLearning Addresses These Teacher Needs

This is where CTELearning makes a real difference. Since 2003, we've been focused on creating curriculum that works for teachers, not just students. Here's how we specifically address the challenges you face:

You Don't Need to Be the Subject Matter Expert. Our courses feature extensive tutorial videos, professional interviews with industry experts, animations, clear content, and step-by-step instructions. This means students can work at their own pace while you're freed up to provide individualized support where it's needed most.

Everything Works on Any Device. Our courses are web-based and run on PC, Mac, Chromebook, iPad, and smartphones. We've built and curated a set of free creative tools so there's no additional software cost to you or your district, and students can work whenever and wherever they need to.

Ready-to-Use, Media-Rich Curriculum. Each course includes extensive syllabi to help with class prep and planning, so you're not spending your evenings and weekends creating materials from scratch.

Industry Certifications Built In. Many of our courses enable students to earn industry-recognized certifications from our partner Web Professionals Global at no additional cost. You're not having to figure out how to align your curriculum with certification requirements—we've already done that work for you.

Professional Development and Ongoing Support. When you work with CTeLearning, you're not buying a product and being left on your own. We offer customized educator training and ongoing technical support. When you have a question or run into an issue, you're connecting directly with members of our development team who created the curriculum you're using.

Flexible for Any Learning Environment. Whether you're teaching in-person, hybrid, or fully remote, our self-paced courses adapt to your classroom model.

Ready to Take Your CTE Program to the Next Level?

We have been partnering with educators like you since 2003 to bring innovative career and technical education curriculum to schools across the U.S. and around the world. We create the curriculum you would develop yourself if you had the time—comprehensive, engaging, project-based courses that prepare students for industry certifications and real-world careers in fields like web design, animation, game development, biotechnology, personal finance, HTML5 standards, and more.

Let's talk about how we can support your program in 2026. Reach out to us today to learn more about our curriculum solutions, professional development opportunities, and educator resources. We'd love to schedule a free 20-minute demo so you can see our courses in action and explore whether they're a good fit for your students and your program.

Email us at hello@ctelearning.com or call us at 913-764-4272 or 877-828-1216.

How CTeLearning’s Chromebook-Friendly Device Strategy is Helping Schools

Fri, 14 Nov 2025 19:48:46 GMT

Learn how we can help your school maximize the value of your current devices

Teachers and administrators are familiar with the budget pressures facing schools today. Technology budgets are stretched thin, replacement cycles keep getting longer, and yet student needs continue to grow. What if we told you that your curriculum choice could actually help extend the life of your devices and keep your budget intact?

At CTeLearning, we've made device compatibility a cornerstone of our courses ranging from Animation to Game Design —not as an afterthought, but as a deliberate strategy to support equity and accessibility for all students, regardless of their school's resources.

The Real-World Challenge: Mixed Device Environments

Today, most classrooms have a mix of students with PCs, Macs, Chromebooks, and sometimes their own devices from home. Many schools face a common scenario—students work on more expensive desktop systems in class but take home a Chromebook as their 1-to-1 device (meaning each student has his/her own device that is not shared). Other schools send students home without any device at all, relying on them to access resources at the library or on a family computer.

This diversity in devices shouldn't create barriers to learning. Yet too often, curriculum choices force schools into costly upgrade cycles or leave some students unable to complete assignments at home. That's why we've taken a different approach.

Testing on What Actually Exists in Schools

We develop all our courses—Web Design, Web Animation, Game Design, Horticulture, Info Tech, AI for the Workplace, Remote Working Professional, and more—to be fully functional across newer and older PCs, Macs, and Chromebooks. This isn't about lowering our standards or limiting what students can create. It's about ensuring that every student, regardless of the device they're using, can have a worry-free experience with our curriculum.

Device-Neutral Learning: Meeting Students Where They Are

Our courseware is designed to be device-neutral, which means students can seamlessly transition between different devices without losing work or functionality. Here's how this plays out in practice:

In the classroom: A student might work on a newer Mac or PC desktop, taking advantage of a larger screen and faster processor to build a website or create an animation.

At home: That same student picks up right where they left off on their district-issued Chromebook, completing assignments and refining their projects.

At the library or grandparent's house: If they don't have a 1-to-1 device, they can log in on any internet-connected computer—even grandma's 15-year-old PC—and continue their work without missing a beat.

This flexibility is possible because all our tools are online and free. Students simply sign into their course and pick up exactly where they left off, regardless of the device. No software installations. No compatibility issues. No student left behind because of technology limitations.

Equity Through Thoughtful Design

When we talk about equity in education, we often focus on access to devices. But true equity means ensuring that the device a student has access to doesn't limit their educational opportunities.

By designing our curriculum to work across all platforms and device ages, we're putting equity of access first. The student working on a brand-new Chromebook Plus and the student using his or her grandparent's aging desktop both have the same high-quality learning experience. They're learning the same professional skills, building the same caliber of portfolio projects, and earning the same industry-recognized certifications.

This approach particularly benefits:

Rural districts where technology infrastructure may be limited and devices stay in service longer
Urban districts serving diverse communities with varying levels of home technology access
Schools with mixed device environments that are not standardized on a single platform
Students without 1-to-1 devices who rely on shared family computers or library access

The Budget Impact: Extending Device Lifecycles

Here's where curriculum choice directly impacts your bottom line. When your curriculum doesn't demand the latest hardware or specific operating systems, you can:

Extend replacement cycles: If the school district issued Chromebook can boot up, then your students can use it with our curriculum and free creative tools. Older computers can continue serving students effectively with our curriculum, adding years to its useful life.

Avoid forced upgrades: You're not pressured to replace functional devices simply because curriculum software requires newer specifications.

Mix and match strategically: You can invest in higher-end devices where they matter most (like computer labs) while using older devices effectively in other settings.

Support BYOD initiatives: Students can use their own devices without worrying about compatibility issues.

For a district with hundreds or thousands of devices, extending lifecycles by even one year can represent hundreds of thousands of dollars in budget savings—money that can be redirected to other critical needs.

Teacher Benefits: One Less Thing to Worry About

As a teacher, you have enough on your plate without adding device troubleshooting to your daily tasks. When curriculum works consistently across all devices, you benefit from:

Fewer interruptions for technical issues
No need to maintain different versions of assignments for different devices
Easier support for students working from home on various systems
More time focused on instruction rather than troubleshooting

We caught up with Doug C., who is a teacher at Earl Warren High School of the Northside ISD in San Antonio, Texas. Here is what Doug had to say about how his students have benefited from our device strategy:

“Students being able to work from any device is a game changer. Some students do better work in class while others do better work at home. In class, certain students prefer to mess around, but I have seen many of them do really good work at home. Some of them go to different places on the weekend to see different family members and this system enables them to work from wherever. It’s also great that I can do my own work from home on different devices.”

Whether you're delivering Web Design curriculum, teaching students about AI in the workplace, or guiding them through animation projects, you can be confident that every student—regardless of their device—has access to the same robust tools and learning experience.

Looking Forward: Sustainable Technology Planning

Technology will continue to evolve, and new devices will always enter the market. But by choosing a CTeLearning curriculum that prioritizes broad compatibility, you're making a strategic decision that gives your program flexibility and sustainability.

You're not locked into a specific vendor's ecosystem. You're not forced into upgrade cycles driven by software requirements rather than actual device condition. And most importantly, you're ensuring that student learning isn't limited by the technology available to them. At CTeLearning, our commitment to device compatibility isn't just a technical specification—it's a values statement about educational equity and practical support for the real-world challenges schools face.

Experience the Difference

Want to chat about your school needs and how we can help? Schedule a free 20-minute demo of any of our courses . We'll show you how our curriculum performs across different devices and how it can help you maximize your existing technology investments while providing exceptional learning experiences for all your students.

Contact us today for your free demo. Whether you're running a well-established CTE program or just getting started, we're here to help you make smart curriculum choices that support both student success and fiscal responsibility.

Get in Touch Today:

Email: hello@ctelearning.com
Phone: (913) 764-4272
Request Your Free Demo: Click here

Preparing Students for an AI-Enhanced Future: Why Process and Creativity Matter More Than Ever

Wed, 05 Nov 2025 21:04:54 GMT

Here at CTeLearning, we keep up with trends in education and the workplace in order to better serve our schools. One recent trend is that the landscape of STEM education is undergoing a profound transformation. High school students who once aspired to traditional computer science careers are now exploring interdisciplinary fields that blend coding with data analysis, ethical interpretation, and creative problem-solving. This shift reflects a broader understanding: artificial intelligence isn't replacing human creativity and critical thinking—it's amplifying them. Let’s take a look at what this means.

The Changing Face of STEM Education

Research shows that AI is fundamentally reshaping how students approach STEM subjects. Rather than focusing solely on programming skills, today's students are learning to integrate machine learning into traditional disciplines like biology, physics, and design. They're using AI tools to model climate change, analyze genetic data, and solve real-world problems that require both computational skills and scientific inquiry.

This evolution represents more than just adding new courses to the curriculum—it's about fundamentally changing how students think about innovation and problem-solving. Educators across the country report that teenagers are increasingly drawn to AI's potential, but they need guidance to understand how to use these tools effectively and ethically. The challenge isn't whether to integrate AI into education; it's how to do so in a way that enhances rather than diminishes core learning objectives.

What's particularly striking about this shift is the recognition that AI skills are becoming essential across all career pathways, not just in technology fields. By 2027, 75% of businesses are anticipated to use AI technologies, and company leaders increasingly value AI capabilities in prospective employees. Perhaps most telling: 60% of companies report they would hire a less experienced candidate with basic AI skills over a more experienced individual without them. These statistics underscore a critical reality—students who understand how to work alongside AI will have a significant competitive advantage in virtually any career they choose.

The Importance of Process Over Product

At CTeLearning, we've always believed that understanding the process is more important than simply producing a final product. This philosophy has guided our curriculum development for over two decades, and it's never been more relevant than in the age of AI.

In our Web Design course, for example, students don't just learn to code websites—they learn to think like designers and developers. They master color theory, site aesthetics, wireframing, and testing. They learn how to engage with clients, collaborate with team members, communicate effectively, and deliver projects on time and on budget. These process-oriented skills are what separate proficient web designers from those who can only follow tutorials.

This emphasis on process becomes even more critical when AI tools enter the picture. AI can generate code, suggest design layouts, and automate repetitive tasks. But it cannot understand a client's brand story, navigate the nuances of user experience design, or make the creative decisions that transform a functional website into an engaging digital experience. Students who understand the design process can leverage AI to enhance their work while maintaining creative control and professional standards.

Our approach to teaching web design mirrors the real-world creative process that professionals use daily. Students learn to:

Research and understand requirements before jumping into design
Develop concepts and style tiles that communicate visual direction
Create wireframes that establish structure and user flow
Build iteratively with opportunities for feedback and revision
Test and refine their work based on user experience principles
Present and explain their design decisions professionally

When students internalize this process, they develop problem-solving frameworks that transcend specific tools or technologies. Whether they're working with HTML and CSS today, or with AI-assisted design tools tomorrow, they understand how to approach creative challenges systematically and thoughtfully.

Creativity as a Core Competency

Our courses are designed around a fundamental principle: creativity is not just an artistic skill—it's a professional competency that can be taught, practiced, and refined. In our Web Design curriculum, students engage in project-based learning that encourages creative expression while building technical proficiency.

The creative process we emphasize involves:

Experimentation and Iteration : Students learn that great design rarely happens on the first attempt. Our curriculum builds in time for experimentation, revision, and refinement. The coding sandbox feature allows students to practice new concepts immediately, encouraging them to try different approaches and learn from both successes and failures.

Critical Assessment : We teach students to critically evaluate their own work and the work of others. This skill helps them understand what makes design effective, identify areas for improvement, and articulate the reasoning behind their creative decisions.

Unique Voice Development : While students learn industry standards and best practices, we also encourage them to develop their own creative voice. The projects in our courses allow for personal expression within professional frameworks, helping students build portfolios that showcase both technical competence and creative vision.

This focus on creativity serves students well in an AI-enhanced workplace. AI tools can suggest solutions, but they require human creativity to frame problems effectively, evaluate options critically, and make decisions that align with project goals and user needs. Students who develop strong creative thinking skills become AI users who guide technology toward meaningful outcomes, rather than passive consumers who accept whatever AI generates.

AI for the Workplace

Understanding the growing importance of AI literacy across all career pathways, we developed the AI for the Workplace course to equip students with practical AI skills they can apply regardless of their future educational or professional direction. This course takes a fundamentally different approach from many AI education initiatives—rather than focusing on how to build AI systems, we teach students how to work effectively with AI as a professional tool.

The course is built around several core principles:

AI as an Enhancement, Not a Replacement : We explicitly teach students that AI is a tool to enhance their capabilities, not replace their thinking. Just as calculators didn't eliminate the need to understand mathematics, AI tools don't eliminate the need for critical thinking, creativity, and professional judgment. Students learn to use AI to streamline work, generate ideas, and tackle complex problems more efficiently—while maintaining ownership of their decisions and outputs.

Practical, Cross-Industry Application : The course features our PromptScout tool, which provides students with over 5,000 example prompts from 63 different industries and job categories. This exposure helps students understand that AI isn't just for programmers or data scientists—it's increasingly relevant for welders, dental hygienists, marketing professionals, educators, and countless other careers. By exploring AI applications across diverse fields, students can envision how these tools might support their own career interests.

Ethical and Responsible Use : We emphasize that working with AI requires understanding its limitations, biases, and ethical implications. Students learn to evaluate AI outputs critically, recognize when AI might produce misleading or inappropriate results, and understand their responsibility as AI users. This includes discussions about plagiarism, intellectual property, data privacy, and the importance of transparency about AI use in professional settings.

Real-World Scenarios : Rather than abstract concepts, the course presents students with authentic workplace scenarios where AI can provide value. Students practice using AI for research, content creation, problem-solving, and decision support. They learn to write effective prompts, evaluate results critically, and integrate AI insights into their work appropriately.

Why AI Isn't a Threat—It's an Opportunity

There's considerable anxiety in education about AI potentially replacing jobs or enabling students to bypass genuine learning. We understand these concerns, but we believe they reflect a misunderstanding of how AI functions and how education should respond.

AI excels at pattern recognition, data processing, and generating content based on existing information. But it lacks several distinctly human capabilities that remain essential in virtually every professional field:

Contextual Understanding : AI can't fully grasp the nuanced context of specific situations, client relationships, or organizational cultures. It doesn't understand the unspoken requirements, the historical background, or the dynamics that often shape professional decisions.

Creative Vision : While AI can generate variations on existing ideas, true creative innovation—the ability to envision something fundamentally new—remains a human strength. AI can support the creative process, but it can't originate creative vision.

Ethical Judgment : AI can identify options but can't make value-based decisions about what should be done in complex situations. Professional ethics, moral reasoning, and nuanced judgment remain human responsibilities.

Relationship Building : Professional success often depends on trust, communication, and interpersonal skills that no AI can replicate. Understanding clients, collaborating with colleagues, and navigating organizational dynamics require emotional intelligence and social skills.

Adaptive Problem-Solving : When faced with novel situations that don't match existing patterns, humans excel at adaptive thinking—drawing on diverse experiences, making creative connections, and inventing new approaches.

Students who develop these human capabilities while learning to leverage AI as a tool will be exceptionally well-prepared for the future workplace. They'll be able to accomplish more, faster, and with higher quality than those who rely on human capability alone—or those who try to rely on AI without strong foundational skills.

The CTeLearning Difference: Preparing Whole Professionals

Our curriculum philosophy has always focused on preparing "whole professionals"—students who possess not just technical skills, but also the soft skills, ethical understanding, and professional mindset needed for career success. This holistic approach becomes even more valuable in an AI-enhanced workplace.

In our courses, students learn:

Technical proficiency in their chosen field, whether web design, animation, or game development
Creative problem-solving through project-based learning and iterative design processes
Professional communication through client engagement scenarios and collaborative projects
Ethical reasoning regarding intellectual property, copyright, workplace ethics, and now AI use
Self-directed learning skills that enable them to adapt as technologies evolve
Critical thinking to evaluate their work, assess options, and make informed decisions

When students complete our courses and earn industry-recognized certifications, they carry with them not just technical knowledge but a professional identity. They understand what it means to work as a designer, developer, or animator. They can speak the language of their chosen field, understand professional standards, and navigate workplace expectations.

Adding AI literacy to this foundation creates students who are uniquely prepared for the evolving workplace. They possess the technical skills employers need, the creative capabilities that AI cannot replicate, and the understanding of how to leverage AI tools to enhance their professional effectiveness.

Looking Forward

The integration of AI into education and the workplace will continue to accelerate. Rather than viewing this as a threat, we see it as an opportunity to emphasize what makes us distinctly human—our creativity, our ethical judgment, our ability to understand context, and our capacity for innovative thinking.

At CTeLearning, we're committed to helping teachers prepare students for this future. Our courses provide the technical foundation, creative development, and now the AI literacy that students need to thrive. We believe in empowering students to understand and direct technology, not be directed by it.

For teachers considering how to address AI in their classrooms, we encourage you to focus on these principles:

Teach process alongside product : Help students understand how professionals think and work, not just what they produce
Emphasize creativity and critical thinking : These human capabilities become more valuable, not less, in an AI-enhanced world
Introduce AI as a tool : Frame AI as something students can learn to use effectively, not something to fear or rely upon uncritically
Maintain high standards : AI shouldn't lower expectations; it should enable students to achieve more sophisticated results
Address ethics explicitly : Help students understand their responsibilities as AI users in educational and professional contexts

The future belongs to students who can blend human creativity with technological capability—who understand both the power and the limitations of AI, and who can apply professional judgment to decide when and how to leverage these tools. That's the kind of preparation CTeLearning provides, and it's what your students deserve.

If you're interested in learning more about our Web Design course, AI for the Workplace course, or any of our other career and technical education offerings, schedule a free 20-minute demo with us. Let us show you how we can help you prepare your students for successful futures in an AI-enhanced world.

How Will AI Impact Sustainable Landscape Design?

Mon, 03 Nov 2025 18:05:44 GMT

In an era where artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming industries from manufacturing to finance, concerns about job displacement loom large. Headlines often predict a future where robots and algorithms render human labor obsolete. However, in fields like horticulture, nursery operations, urban agriculture, and sustainable landscaping, the story is markedly different. These careers are deeply rooted in the organic, unpredictable world of nature, requiring a blend of physical dexterity, intuitive judgment, and human creativity that AI simply cannot replicate. Far from being threatened, professionals in these areas will continue to thrive, as the essence of their work demands irreplaceable human elements. This blog post explores why AI will not supplant jobs in these vital green sectors, emphasizing the enduring value of human expertise, and discusses CTeLearning's Sustainable Landscape Design curriculum .

The Unique Demands of Horticulture

Horticulture, merging the science and creativity of plant cultivation, highlights AI's inadequacies as a total stand-in. At its core, horticulture involves hands-on precision tasks such as pruning, grafting, and soil amendment—activities that require tactile sensitivity and real-time adaptation to environmental variables. While AI-powered tools like automated irrigation systems, temperature control or drone-based monitoring can assist, they lack the nuanced touch needed to assess plant health by feel or sight in diverse conditions.

For instance, a horticulturist might notice subtle signs of nutrient deficiency or pest infestation that an algorithm, reliant on predefined data sets, could overlook due to variations in microclimates or unexpected weather events. Moreover, horticulture often intersects with research and cultivar development, where human innovation drives the development of new varieties. AI can analyze genetic data, but the creative spark to envision and experiment with hybrid plants remains a human domain. Jobs in this field, from greenhouse managers to field technicians, will persist because nature's complexity defies complete automation.

Why Nurseries Need Human Oversight

Similarly, nursery operations—where plants are propagated, grown, and prepared for sale—rely on human oversight that AI cannot fully emulate. Nurseries are dynamic environments where workers must respond to living organisms' needs, such as adjusting watering schedules based on humidity fluctuations or rescuing seedlings from sudden fungal outbreaks. Robotic arms might pot plants efficiently in controlled settings, but they struggle with the variability of outdoor nurseries or the delicate handling of rare species.

Customer interactions add another layer: nursery staff advise homeowners on plant selection tailored to specific yards, considering factors like soil pH, sunlight patterns, and aesthetic preferences. This personalized service builds trust and community, elements that AI chatbots or virtual assistants can simulate but not authentically replicate. As global demand for plants rises with urbanization, nursery careers will expand, not contract, ensuring roles for propagators, inventory managers, and sales specialists.

Urban Agriculture: Sustainability and Community at Its Core

Urban agriculture, integrating food production into cityscapes via rooftop gardens, vertical farms, compact high-yield systems, and community plots, further underscores AI's shortcomings as a comprehensive replacement. This field emphasizes sustainability and social equity, often involving community engagement and adaptive problem-solving in constrained spaces. Farmers and coordinators must navigate urban challenges like polluted soils or limited water access, making decisions informed by local knowledge and interpersonal skills.

AI can optimize layouts using data analytics, but it cannot foster the human connections that make urban ag successful—such as educating residents on composting or resolving neighborhood disputes over shared spaces. The physical labor of harvesting, weeding, and maintaining systems in unpredictable urban weather requires agility and endurance that current robotics cannot match at scale or affordably. Careers here, including urban farm managers and educators, will remain essential as cities prioritize food security and green spaces amid climate change.

Sustainable Landscaping: A Holistic Human Approach

Sustainable landscaping, focused on eco-friendly design and maintenance of outdoor areas, demands a holistic approach that integrates ecology, aesthetics, and functionality—areas where human judgment reigns supreme. Landscapers create spaces that enhance biodiversity, manage stormwater, and promote mental well-being, often customizing designs to cultural or historical contexts. While AI software can generate preliminary plans based on inputs like topography and plant databases, it lacks the artistic intuition to balance elements like color, texture, and flow in ways that resonate emotionally with clients.

On-site implementation involves manual labor such as planting native species or installing permeable pavements, tasks prone to unforeseen issues like wildlife interference or soil erosion. Professionals must also ensure compliance with evolving environmental regulations, drawing on ethical reasoning that algorithms cannot independently develop. As sustainability becomes a priority in development, jobs for designers, installers, and maintenance crews will endure, bolstered by the irreplaceable human touch.

Embracing AI as a Tool, Not a Threat

The intrinsic qualities of these fields—physical engagement, creative decision-making, and adaptive human insight—ensure that AI will not replace jobs in horticulture, nursery operations, urban agriculture, and sustainable landscaping. These careers are not mere routines but symbiotic relationships with the natural world, where empathy for living systems and responsiveness to chaos are paramount. Instead of fearing obsolescence, workers can embrace AI as a complementary force, preserving the human heart of green professions.

Looking ahead, AI will significantly enhance these careers in the near future by augmenting efficiency and innovation without usurping roles. In horticulture and nurseries, AI-driven predictive analytics will forecast pest outbreaks or optimize growth cycles using sensor data, allowing professionals to focus on high-value tasks like crop improvement and seed improvement. Urban agriculture will benefit from AI-powered apps that monitor soil health in real-time via IoT devices, enabling farmers to make data-informed decisions swiftly to maximize production and profitability. For sustainable landscaping, generative AI tools could simulate design iterations, incorporating climate projections to create resilient plans. Overall, AI will act as a supportive partner, reducing drudgery and amplifying human expertise to meet growing demands for green solutions in a changing world.

Wrapping It Up: Teaching

Are you looking for a curriculum to help support your students' learning in a Horticulture and Sustainable Landscape Design course? Then take a moment to learn more about our courseware. Landscape design and horticulture are a big business and a great STEM career option for students. This industry has always been a place for those who love nature, design, and working outdoors. We are excited to offer students brand-new features that will introduce them to this exciting career pathway.

Not sure if you want to teach this topic? Think about this. Horticulture is the science and art of the development, sustainable production, marketing, and use of high-value, intensively cultivated food and ornamental plants. According to the latest research, the horticulture market is expected to grow to reach $54.1 billion by 2030. The sustainable landscape design industry, which includes landscape maintenance, lawn care, pest management, irrigation and water management, arboreal services, hardscapes, and landscape design and construction for both residential and commercial properties, is currently valued at $153.5 billion and that number is only expected to grow.

Size of the combined Horticulture and Sustainable Landscape design industries compared to other well-known industries in the US:

US Horticulture and Sustainable Landscape Design and services = $207.6 billion
US Video Game (video games, hardware, and accessories) = $57.2 billion
US Recorded Music and Live Music $35.61 billion
US Mobile App market = $80.9 billion

Reach Out Today

Do you want to learn more, or are you looking for some help or resources for teaching the new reality of this career pathway? Check out our Sustainable Landscape Design curriculum and schedule your free 20-minute demo today.

Email: hello@ctelearning.com

Phone (Direct): 913-764-4272

Toll-Free: 877-828-1216

Maximizing Texas CCMR Success: Approved IBC Pathways for 2026-2027

Wed, 22 Oct 2025 19:48:49 GMT

If you're a career and technical education (CTE) educator in Texas, you know the pressure is on to prepare students for life after high school. The Texas Education Agency's College, Career, and Military Readiness (CCMR) accountability system has changed how we measure success, and districts across the state are working hard to boost their CCMR ratings. Our Web Design, Web Animation, and Web and Mobile App Development courses offer a proven pathway to help your students meet CCMR requirements while building real-world skills that employers actually want.

The Power of Industry-Based Certifications

Industry-based certifications (IBCs) carry significant weight in today's job market because they demonstrate that students have mastered specific, job-ready skills. Unlike traditional assessments that test memorization, IBCs validate that students can actually perform the tasks required in professional settings. Employers recognize these credentials because the certification standards are developed by industry professionals—many of whom are responsible for hiring at their own companies. The courses we will discuss in this article offer certification pathways from our association partner Web Professionals Global —the professional association for internet professionals across industries.

For Texas schools, IBCs offer a practical, accessible pathway to CCMR success. Not every student is college-bound, and not every student thrives in dual credit courses or standardized testing environments. IBCs provide an alternative route that respects diverse learning styles and career goals while still meeting rigorous state standards. Additionally, all of our courses include the opportunity to earn the Ethics in the Workplace micro-credential from Web Professionals Global. This is just another way every one of your students can grow their CCMR portfolio.

Approved Texas Web Design (IBC 1172) & TEKS-Aligned Curriculum

Our Web Design course is listed on the Texas Education Agency's 2025-2030 Industry-Based Certification List for Public School Accountability. This TEKS-aligned curriculum prepares students to earn the Certified Web Designer Associate (CWDSA) credential. What makes this course particularly valuable is its comprehensive approach to career preparation. Students don't just learn HTML5 and CSS3—they develop critical STEM skills, build professional portfolios, and gain hands-on experience through project-based learning. Our curriculum is designed to be turnkey, meaning teachers can confidently deliver it even without prior web design experience. This addresses one of the biggest challenges facing CTE programs: finding qualified instructors for rapidly evolving technical fields.

The Web Design course uses a media-rich, highly interactive format with over 120 tutorial videos that guide students through coding HTML5 and CSS3. Expert videos provide additional coaching on broader web development concepts. Students work on real projects they can showcase to colleges and employers, building confidence as they create actual websites from scratch. Like the other courses mentioned in this article, the Web Design course works seamlessly across PC, Mac, and Chromebook devices, making implementation straightforward regardless of your technology setup.

Web Animation (IBC 967) for Texas CCMR Accountability

Our Web Animation course represents another powerful CCMR opportunity for Texas schools. Listed as Web Animation IBC 967 on TEA's approved certification list, this course prepares students for the Certified Web Animator Associate (CWAA) credential from Web Professionals Global. With the global animation market projected to reach over $587 billion by 2030, this pathway offers students access to a booming industry with competitive salaries and diverse career opportunities.

Animation careers extend far beyond entertainment. Today's animators work in gaming, digital marketing, education, healthcare, and corporate communications. The skills students develop—visual storytelling, technical proficiency with industry-standard tools, project management, and collaboration—transfer across multiple high-demand fields.

The Web Animation curriculum takes students through the fundamentals, including the 12 Principles of Animation developed by Disney, ensuring they understand the theoretical foundations of professional animation work. Students learn both 2D animation using Weditor (a free web-based creative suite) or Adobe Animate, and 3D animation concepts using tools like Adobe After Effects.

Our Virtual Internship Model engages students with interactive, story-based projects that simulate real-world career experiences. This approach helps them develop not just technical skills but also the soft skills—communication, problem-solving, time management—that employers consistently cite as critical for workplace success. Each student builds a college and career-ready portfolio throughout the course, ensuring they have tangible evidence of their capabilities when they graduate.

Web and Mobile App Development (IBC 966) Certification Pathway

Our Web and Mobile App Development course offers another opportunity for students. Listed as code 966 on the TEA approved certification list, the course prepares students to earn the Certified Web and Mobile App Developer Apprentice (CWMA) credential through Web Professionals Global.

The course uses a media-rich, highly interactive, hands-on approach to guide students through the exciting process of creating their own web or mobile apps using JavaScript. Students build actual working applications they can demonstrate to colleges, employers, or even publish in app stores. Throughout the coursework, students develop critical STEM skills, build confidence through successful project completion, and create a college and career-ready portfolio that showcases their abilities.

Students experience everything from environment configuration and design through implementation, debugging, and deployment of web and mobile applications. They learn JavaScript programming fundamentals, understand the design process and web application life cycles, and gain practical experience with user interface and user experience concepts. Our curriculum weaves together technical skills with essential professional competencies like project management, ethics in the workplace, legal issues around intellectual property, and even entrepreneurship basics for students interested in starting their own development ventures.

Why We Work Well with Texas CCMR Programs

Several factors make our courses particularly well-suited for Texas districts working to improve CCMR outcomes:

Alignment with State Standards : All three courses are TEKS-aligned and approved by TEA for the 2025-2030 certification list. This removes uncertainty about whether students will receive CCMR credit for their work. You can implement these courses with confidence that they meet state requirements.

Accessibility for All Students : The turnkey design means you don't need specialized faculty or expensive equipment. Students and teachers can start with no prior experience in web design, animation or mobile app development. This democratizes access to high-quality CTE pathways, allowing more students to benefit regardless of your campus's resources or location.

Portfolio Development : Both courses emphasize building professional portfolios. Students create projects they can show to college admissions offices, potential employers, or use as the foundation for freelance work. This practical output reinforces learning and provides students with immediate value beyond the certification itself.

Industry Recognition : The certifications from Web Professionals Global carry weight because they're developed and recognized by actual industry professionals. Students aren't just earning a piece of paper—they're demonstrating competencies that employers actively seek.

Bonus Industry Recognized Micro-Credentials: Boost student CCMR with additional micro-credentials in soft skills companies are looking for.

Flexibility in Delivery : The courses work across multiple devices and support both blended learning and fully online instruction. This flexibility proved invaluable during recent years and continues to benefit schools serving students with diverse needs and schedules.

Competition Opportunities : We partner with SkillsUSA, providing students opportunities to compete at regional, state, and national levels in Web Design and Development competitions. These experiences build confidence, create memorable milestones, and add impressive credentials to college applications.

The Financial Impact on Your District

Under House Bill 3 , TEA awards CCMR Outcomes Bonus funding to districts based on the number of graduates who demonstrate college, career, or military readiness above certain thresholds. These bonuses apply to three cohorts: economically disadvantaged students, non-economically disadvantaged students, and special education students.

By expanding access to industry-based certifications through our courses, you increase the number of students who meet CCMR indicators. This directly impacts your district's funding allocation while simultaneously improving your accountability ratings. It's a win-win situation where doing right by students also benefits your campus financially.

Moreover, the relatively low barrier to implementation means you can scale these programs efficiently. You're not building expensive facilities or hiring highly specialized staff. You're providing students with internet-connected devices they likely already have and curriculum that's ready to deploy.

Preparing Students for Multiple Pathways

One of the most valuable aspects of our courses is how they serve students pursuing different post-secondary paths. For college-bound students, the certifications enhance applications and demonstrate initiative in developing technical skills. The portfolios provide concrete examples of their work during admissions interviews. Some universities even grant credit for industry certifications.

For students entering the workforce directly after graduation, the certifications provide immediate employability credentials. Web designers and animators can find entry-level positions or start freelancing while continuing their education part-time. The skills are in demand across industries, not just in traditional tech companies.

For students considering military service, the technical competencies developed through these courses align well with many military occupational specialties in communications, intelligence, and technical fields.

Implementation Support and Professional Development

We understand that adopting new curriculum can feel daunting, which is why we provide comprehensive support throughout implementation. When you reach out for a demo, you're not just seeing a product presentation—you're beginning a partnership with a team committed to your success.

We offer professional development for teachers, ensuring you feel confident delivering the material even if you're new to web design, animation or mobile app development. Our curriculum includes detailed instructor guides, and the platform itself provides scaffolded support for students, reducing the instructional burden while maintaining high-quality learning experiences.

Technical support is readily available when you need it, and we actively work with partner schools to gather feedback and continuously improve our offerings. This responsive approach means your voice matters and your students benefit from ongoing enhancements.

Looking Toward the Future

The world of work continues to evolve rapidly, with digital skills becoming essential across virtually every industry. Web design, animation and mobile app development aren't just creative pursuits—they're fundamental communications tools in our increasingly digital economy. By offering these pathways now, you're positioning your students to adapt and thrive regardless of how their career interests develop.

The skills students learn extend beyond the specific technical knowledge. They develop computational thinking, creative problem-solving, the ability to receive and implement feedback, and persistence through challenging projects. These meta-skills serve students well in any field they ultimately pursue.

As artificial intelligence and automation reshape many traditional jobs, the creative and technical synthesis required in web design and animation becomes more valuable, not less. Students learn to work alongside technology, leveraging tools to amplify their creative vision—exactly the kind of human-machine collaboration that defines modern work.

Contact Us Today

Ready to learn more about how our Web Design, Web Animation and Mobile App Development courses can enhance your CCMR program? Reach out to us at hello@ctelearning.com or 913-764-4272 to schedule your free demo and discover how you can help your Texas students earn industry-recognized certifications, build impressive portfolios, and meet CCMR requirements while developing skills that will serve them throughout their careers. Your students' futures are waiting—let's build them together.

Interested in exploring more? Check out our certification offerings and read our 2026 guide to Perkins V funding .

Updated Ethics in the Workplace Certification Now Available

Mon, 06 Oct 2025 19:46:20 GMT

In recent months, the team at CTeLearning has been hard at work revising our popular Ethics in the Workplace curriculum and certification. Designed in partnership with Web Professionals Global , the professional association for all web careers, this micro-credential is a valuable opportunity for students to build a well-rounded professional profile that combines technical skills and a professional portfolio with essential workplace ethics knowledge.

The curriculum is designed with real-world application in mind, preparing students for the ethical challenges they'll face in professional environments. We ensure learners are well-prepared to navigate both the technical and professional aspects of modern workplaces, making them more attractive candidates to employers who value both competency and integrity. Students who work through the curriculum earn the certification after completing all required coursework.

Warren Buffett has stated that he looks for three qualities when hiring: integrity, intelligence, and energy. He noted that without integrity, the other two traits "will kill you," underscoring the foundational importance of ethical behavior. Let’s take a look at the Ethics in the Workplace certification and the key changes we have made for 2025-2026.

Background on the Certification

Over a decade ago, we developed the first version of the Ethics in the Workplace curriculum. This came after years of our teachers struggling with teaching ethics in their classrooms. Since everything we do is wrapped up in the context of a career experience, we knew that we could deliver ethics in a practical and direct manner.

We decided to dive even deeper into this idea when two new hires straight out of college came to work for us. No need to go into detail, but let’s just say we saw firsthand what happens when you have people who you assume understand the basics of ethical behavior. I (Steve) can still remember the conversation when my head of development came into my office and sat down with me to tell me a story of what she had discovered.

In short, we had to fire the new employees and clean up the mess they left. However, this gave us the extra boost to develop our first ethics module. This internal training became the basis for what we dropped into every career pathway course we delivered to teachers and students. A few years later, we partnered with Web Professionals Global to have this micro-credential endorsed, and the rest is history.

New Features for 2025-2026

As all our clients know, we are constantly updating our content. All areas of career and technical education (CTE) are always changing, so we keep adapting as part of our commitment to our teachers.

In recent years, we had conversations with teachers who do not teach CTE pathways like web design, web game design, or animation but still wanted to teach ethics to their students. They asked us to deliver the Ethics in the Workplace certification as a standalone course, which makes sense considering it is important to be ethical in the workplace across all career pathways. As a result, our course can now be utilized in any class. It is designed to work with PC, Mac and Chromebooks. It is incredibly easy to facilitate with plenty of touch points teachers may choose to use to expand the learning experience and customize it to suit their students’ needs.

AI has dramatically affected ethics in professional settings, and our most recent version includes a new section to teach students about the reality of AI and its use in the workplace. This topic also is good for students to understand as the same ethical approach to using AI in the workplace should be applied to using AI as it relates to school.

We also revamped the certification so that it is now available to schools in Spanish as well as English. This allows our schools to reach more learners and integrate the curriculum into English as a Second Language (ESL) and English Language Learner (ELL) programs. Teachers and students can easily switch back and forth between English and Spanish. In the future, based on needs and requests, we will add other languages to the list.

Get Started Today

Ethics should be a part of every school experience. Students who work through the course and earn the certification are better prepared than peers to work in professional environments in an ethical manner. Imagine your learners being able to take home their certifications and show their family what might be their first industry-based certificate. We see this as another path to building a student's workplace confidence in addition to the technical skills and other soft skills our courses teach.

For more information about the certification or any of our other courses , contact us today at 913-764-4272 or hello@ctelearning.com . We would be happy to give you a 30-minute demo of any of our courses and show how we can help your school meet STEM education goals.

Is Animation a Good Career Pathway?

Tue, 16 Sep 2025 20:14:11 GMT

Few career paths offer the perfect blend of creativity, technology, and lucrative opportunities like animation. As businesses increasingly rely on visual storytelling to capture audience attention, animation has emerged as one of the most exciting and financially rewarding career choices available to young professionals. Let’s take a look at the rise of the animation profession and how our team here at CTeLearning is helping to meet these growing needs at high schools nationwide with our Web and Computer Animation course .

The Growing Demand for Animation Professionals

The animation industry has experienced unprecedented growth over the past decade, driven by the explosion of digital content across multiple platforms. From blockbuster movies and video games to social media marketing and educational content, animated visuals have become essential tools for communication and engagement.

According to industry reports, the global animation market is projected to reach over $587 billion by 2030, creating thousands of new job opportunities for skilled animators. This growth spans multiple sectors, including entertainment, advertising, education, healthcare, and corporate communications, providing animation professionals with diverse career paths and stable employment prospects.

Why Animation is an Attractive Career Choice

Creative Freedom and Personal Expression

Animation offers professionals the unique opportunity to bring ideas to life through visual storytelling. Unlike many traditional careers, animation allows individuals to express their creativity while solving complex problems and communicating important messages. Whether creating characters for a video game or developing commercials, social media content, educational materials or corporate training, animators have the freedom to shape digital storytelling to improve audience experience and engagement.

Competitive Salaries and Financial Security

One of the most compelling aspects of an animation career is the financial potential, with experienced professionals earning well over $100,000 per year. Specialized roles such as lead animators, animation directors, and technical directors often command high salaries, making animation one of the highest-paying creative fields.

Location Independence

The digital nature of animation work provides professionals with unprecedented flexibility. Many animators work remotely, collaborate with international teams, and enjoy the freedom to work from anywhere in the world. This location independence has become increasingly valuable, especially as companies embrace remote work policies and seek global talent.

Diverse Career Opportunities

Animation careers extend far beyond traditional entertainment. Today's animators work in:

Entertainment: Creating content for movies, television shows, and streaming platforms
Gaming: Developing characters, environments, and effects for video games
Digital Marketing: Producing animated advertisements and social media content
Education: Creating interactive learning materials and educational videos
Healthcare: Developing medical animations and training simulations
Corporate Communications: Producing training videos and presentation materials

Essential Skills for Animation Success

Technical Proficiency

Modern animators must master various software applications and technical tools. Industry-standard programs include 2D animation with Weditor or Adobe Animate and 3D animation supported by Adobe After Effects, Maya, Cinema 4D, and Blender. Understanding these 2D and 3D tools allows animators to create professional-quality work that meets industry standards.

Artistic Fundamentals

Strong drawing skills and understanding of artistic principles remain crucial for animation success. Knowledge of color theory, composition, and the twelve principles of animation (developed by Disney) provides the foundation for creating compelling animated content.

Storytelling and Communication Skills

Effective animators understand how to use visual elements to tell stories and convey messages. This often begins with storyboarding and script development. These skills require strong communication and the ability to translate complex ideas into engaging visual narratives that resonate with target audiences.

Project Management and Collaboration

Animation projects often involve multiple team members and tight deadlines. Successful animators develop project management skills, learn to work collaboratively, and understand the importance of meeting client expectations and project timelines. Project teams include animators, sound effects artists, audio engineers, music composers, voice actors, storyboard artists, character creators, scriptwriters, project managers, producers, and directors. There is a place for all talents and passion to come together and create.

The Future of Animation Careers

Emerging Technologies

The animation industry continues to evolve with new technologies like virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and artificial intelligence (AI). These innovations create exciting opportunities for animators to explore new forms of storytelling and develop cutting-edge content experiences.

Increased Demand for Digital Content

As businesses recognize the power of visual content in marketing and communication, demand for skilled animators continues to grow. Social media platforms, streaming services, and digital advertising agencies actively seek animation professionals who can create engaging content that captures audience attention.

Global Market Expansion

The international nature of digital content creation means animation professionals can work with clients and companies worldwide. Animation generates stories that can transcend culture and bring information and engagement to the broadest of audiences. This global market expansion provides unlimited growth potential and diverse project opportunities for skilled animators.

Building a Successful Animation Portfolio

Success in animation requires a strong portfolio that demonstrates technical skills and creative abilities. Aspiring animators should focus on:

Creating diverse projects that showcase different animation techniques
Developing a unique artistic style that sets them apart from competitors
Building projects that demonstrate problem-solving abilities
Including work that shows understanding of different target audiences
Regularly updating their portfolio with new projects and improved skills

Preparing High School Students for Animation Success

Our comprehensive Web and Computer Animation Course is specifically designed to prepare high school students for successful animation careers. This innovative program combines technical training with practical experience, giving students the tools they need to excel in the competitive animation industry.

Comprehensive Curriculum Design

Our animation course is a media-rich and engaging program that gets learners excited about the world of animation and opens their eyes to potential career paths. The curriculum features tutorials and project-based learning that gives students an opportunity to build projects they can add to college and career-ready portfolios. It is turnkey, meaning teachers can administer the course with no prior animation experience.

The course includes comprehensive coverage of fundamental animation concepts, including the 12 Principles of Animation lesson module based on Disney's foundational animation principles. This ensures students understand the theoretical foundations that underpin all professional animation work.

Virtual Internship Model

We offer an innovative approach to experiential learning with our Virtual Internship Model, which immerses the students in interactive story-based projects that look and feel like a career simulation. This unique project-based learning methodology provides students with a taste of what working in the real world is like, ensuring they develop both technical and soft skills necessary for career readiness.

Portfolio Development Focus

Understanding that a strong portfolio is essential for animation career success, our program emphasizes practical project creation. Each student is tasked with building their college and career-ready portfolio to prepare for their futures, ensuring graduates have tangible examples of their skills when applying for jobs or college programs.

Industry-Recognized Certifications

We go beyond basic education by offering students the opportunity to earn industry-recognized credentials. These international industry-recognized animation certifications (IIRC), also referred to as Industry-Based Certifications (IBC), are backed by Web Professionals Global , which is the professional association for those who work on the internet tools used daily across industries.

These certifications carry significant weight with employers because the standards are developed by industry professionals—including many who are responsible for hiring for their respective companies. These certifications test students for skills, knowledge and aptitude—not simply how well they can study for an exam.

Deliver Engaging Animation Curriculum to Your Students

For high school students considering animation careers, programs like our Web and Computer Animation Course provide the perfect foundation for success. By combining comprehensive technical training with industry-recognized certifications and practical portfolio development, we help ensure students are well-prepared to enter the competitive animation industry with confidence. To learn more, contact us today at 913-764-4272 or hello@ctelearning.com . Our free 30-minute demo will show you how we can help your students explore this exciting career pathway.

Note: If you are a Texas school, ask us about the Web Animation IBC 967 listed by the Texas Education Agency (TEA) on the 2025-2030 Industry-Based Certification List for Public School Accountability. Our course is TEKS-aligned and provides a simple path for your students to earn the Certified Web Animator Associate (CWAA) credential. Our curriculum and free online animation tool set works with PC, Mac and Chromebook. We also have a curriculum version to support schools that use Adobe Animate.

2025 SkillsUSA National Web Design and Development Competition Recap

Thu, 21 Aug 2025 18:21:15 GMT

This summer, CTeLearning was proud to once again contribute to the 2025 SkillsUSA National Leadership & Skills Conference in Atlanta, GA at the Georgia World Congress Center from June 23-27. Our professional association partner Web Professionals Global ran the Web Design and Development competition for the 22nd year in a row, providing students from a number of states with the opportunity to participate.

Our founder and lead developer, Steve Waddell, has been helping to run SkillsUSA competitions since 2005. Additionally, this past spring, CTeLearning and Web Professionals Global helped to facilitate the SkillsUSA Web Design and Development state competitions, the winners of which were invited to the national competition. Let’s hear a recap from Mark Dubois, Executive Director of Web Professionals Global, who spent the week in Atlanta.

Week Recap

June 23 (Monday) - After arriving late Sunday night, Mark arrived at the registration desk very early in the morning. He met our colleague Tammy Finch (Web services, Inc). Once Mark checked in for the event and received the packets of information and badges, he and Tammy were off to Courtesy Corps to arrange for their assistance in setting up the competition area. Mark had previously requested their help and needed to confirm all details once on site. He also worked with SkillsUSA personnel to get the wifi router installed and configured. Shortly after noon, both he and Tammy participated in the Technical Chair meeting. This event is held just prior to the competition to communicate last minute information (such as the current dispatch phone number and emergency procedures in the event of severe weather or other disruptions). Mark also picked up a plaque honoring our long time co-chair, Steve Waddell, for his numerous years of service to this competition.

Once the meeting concluded, both Mark and Tammy returned to the competition area to verify the wifi was working. Although there was no easy way to stress test the environment, all appeared to be working once the router received a software update. Many thanks to SkillsUSA for their help in getting this set up and working.

June 24 (Tuesday) - We began the day once again testing the network and confirming all was working for the competition. At noon, we held a written test for competitors in room B-311. This was the room we also used for competition debriefing and training during the week. The test covered various aspects of web design and development including fundamentals every competitor should know as well as a few more advanced questions. When completed, competitors had a moment to grab some lunch prior to our mandatory training session (which started at 2 p.m.).

We covered the use of our online coding environment as part of our training and explained how the competition would be run along with providing a written overview. We also provided links to videos explaining the coding environment. Mark also reviewed some potential pitfalls which could happen when using the environment. He also reviewed why it is important to preview your work in the browser periodically.

Once questions were addressed, Tammy and David Jackson (Tekki Systems) [long time member of our on site technical team] provided an overview of what it is like to work in the industry today. After a brief discussion, they answered many questions from competitors. We hold these sessions concurrently for both the secondary (high school) and post-secondary (college) competitors. Each state was represented with a team of two competitors who had to work together to complete a series of specific tasks. More information about that can be found below (Wednesday). The session ran a bit over as there were many keen questions from those who aspire to work in our industry.

Before we left the room, we reviewed the test scores of all competing teams and confirmed that their answers were properly recorded in our system. These scores are later input into a large spreadsheet for calculating the winners (gold, silver, and bronze) for both secondary and post-secondary competitions.

We mentioned to all competitors that we were throwing a wrinkle into the process this year. We have a practicing web professional who spent the same amount of time and used the same work order and assets to create a website. Since we are a global organization, we were able to ask someone from another time zone to do this. We decided that we would be reviewing their work as part of the competition debriefing. Everyone seemed intrigued by this new approach. They also got to meet this individual at the end of the training session (obviously via a Zoom meeting).

June 25 (Wednesday) - On this day we focused on the secondary teams. Roughly two dozen states were represented by teams of two. In order to compete in Atlanta, each team had to win first place in their respective state. We were honored to be able to work with many states in their respective state web design and development competitions. We provide the coding environment, assets, rubrics, and judging criteria. We ask each state to provide on-site personnel and judges.

Dan Dao (our SkillsUSA .NET [National Education Team] member was able to join us again this year. This is his second year and we greatly appreciated his help.

The competition began with a briefing and a client interview. In this case, David Jackson served in the role of client. He spent some time explaining what he needed as a client and was asked a number of questions by competitors about his business. Many of the questions were quite insightful and showed competitors wanted to understand his business to provide the best experience for his clients who would be visiting his website.

Once the client interview was finished, competitors returned to their workstations and spent about an hour drafting a low fidelity wireframe (some also did a site map and a few did a mood board/ stylesheet). We supplied the paper for use in this part of the process. Once they were finished with their version of the wireframe, they flagged down a team member who had them secure their work and the team was then handed a medium fidelity wireframe developed by a practicing professional. This is what each team used as they developed the website. We have used this approach for a number of years and it vastly helps with judging as all judges are examining and comparing similar work (for example, they expect mobile versions to display images in a certain spot that is different from the desktop version). Competitors worked as a team and had until 3 p.m. to complete their work and validate it was working properly in our online coding environment. While each team was working, they were called up for a team interview. In addition to addressing why their team should be considered for future work with clients, we also asked detailed questions about their individual wireframes. Those wireframes were left with the interviewers. At 3 p.m. the competition concluded and competitors were able to leave the venue.

Judges then began reviewing competitor work (each team had one submitted spot). We use our custom online tool as it has a judge view. In that view, judges can move from one team to another effortlessly. Judges are able to view the source code, validate it, and test in various mobile device settings. However, judges are not able to make any changes to the code itself (they are operating in a read only mode). We have been doing this for over 20 years (and a few of our judges have been with us for almost the entire time).

June 26 (Thursday) - The post-secondary teams competed on this day. We had roughly a dozen post-secondary teams. We have noted that there are often fewer post-secondary teams than secondary teams. This is part of the reason we have the high school teams compete on Wednesday as judges can spend Wednesday evening as well as most of the day Thursday evaluating the work of the secondary competitors.

As with the Wednesday competition, all teams met with the client and had the chance to ask many questions about his business. They then began to develop their own low fidelity wireframes. After an hour, they notified team members who secured their wireframes and provided competitors with a medium fidelity wireframe they could use to develop the website.

As before, the competition ended at 3 p.m. We then held a debriefing session in B-311. We reviewed the work of our volunteer web professional and showed his work in the judge's view (so competitors got a behind the scenes look similar to what judges use - although it was in a different but similar coding environment). We then opened the floor for questions and comments by the competitors. Mark took notes as these comments will be reviewed and incorporated into next year’s event. Those notes have been shared with all team members and we are starting to make modifications already.

Once the debriefing session concluded, a number of competitors accompanied us back to the competition venue as we had to dismantle the tables and chairs and stack all for the move out happening on Friday. Thanks to those who helped. You made a big difference.

We then returned to our respective hotel rooms. Mark reviewed the score sheets provided by judges for the secondary competition and entered those scores into the SkillsUSA judges data store while the work of the post-secondary teams was being evaluated. Judges got all completed and the final scores were all recorded before the 9 p.m. deadline set by SkillsUSA. They need the time to then develop the materials for the awards ceremony on Friday.

June 27 (Friday) - This was the first year that we knew when we would be handing out the awards (to the minute). We arrived at State Farm Arena and navigated our way backstage. Tammy and David placed the medals on the winning teams (gold, silver, and bronze) for both secondary and post-secondary teams. We went with the teams for official back state photos after the event. Congratulations to all who participated. Although there can only be one first place team in each event, you are all winners because you stepped up and tested your knowledge, skills, and abilities on a national stage. In a number of states, competitor teams had to win a regional competition, proceed to the state competition, and then on to the national competition (winning first in each to qualify for our competition in Atlanta). Well done and congratulations to all!

Get in Touch

CTeLearning is proud of its work over the years with SkillsUSA. Reach out to us today for information on our collaboration with SkillsUSA and course offerings.

Web Design Course and Certification Approved in Texas Through 2030

Thu, 07 Aug 2025 16:54:45 GMT

Today we are taking a look at one of our most popular courses, Web Design . Schools all over the country have been using our Web Design course for years and showing students what an exciting career path web design can be. Thanks to Web Professionals Global , our association partner, students who complete the Web Design course can earn a professional web design certification, the Certified Web Designer (CWDSA) certification , that showcases their skills and aptitude in web design. One of the states where we see the most certifications being awarded is Texas. The CWDSA certification is on the 2025-2030 Industry-Based Certification (IBC) List for Public School Accountability, which is the official list of state-approved certifications. Maintained by the Texas Education Agency (TEA), the purpose of the IBC list is to “identify certifications that prepare students for success in the workforce, military, or postsecondary education.”

Every five years, there is an assessment process that determines whether certifications will be accepted for the list. Being on the list means that our schools know our courses and certifications meet rigorous state standards and are preparing students to excel in future educational and professional pursuits. We are proud to be certified by the TEA for the next five years and look forward to working with students and teachers in Texas for years to come.

CWDSA Overview

We at CTeLearning are not the providers of the certification. We develop curriculum, as our first priority, to help teachers prepare their students for careers. For many teachers, this includes helping students get an industry-based certification. So, in many of our courses, that means making sure our curriculum helps students build not only their knowledge and portfolio but also the broad industry and technical skills needed to earn an industry-based certification.

In this case, our curriculum aligns with what a student must know to get The Certified Web Designer Associate (CWDSA) certification. The examination measures more than just the essential competencies for aspiring or practicing Web Designers. The examinee must demonstrate working knowledge of Internet basics, HTML including HTML5, CSS3 and WYSIWYG editors, Web graphics, Web audio and video, Web site design, Web site management, and basic legal issues at the standard defined by this test specification.

The skills and knowledge measured by this examination are derived from an industry-wide and worldwide job task analysis which was validated through a survey of hundreds of designers. The results of the survey were used in weighting the domains and ensuring that the weighting is representative of the relative importance of that content to the job requirements of a Certified Web Designer Associate. The intent is to certify individuals in a body of knowledge that is identified and accepted as the baseline or foundation of any Web Designer.

Web Design as a Career

If you are considering what to teach or coaching your students about future career options and pathways, web design can be a great choice. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects an 8% growth in employment for web developers and digital interface designers from 2023 to 2033—faster than the average for all jobs. Demand is strong and still rising as more businesses move online and prioritize digital experiences. Web developers earned a median annual salary of $90,930 in May 2024, showing that this field doesn’t just offer creative freedom—it pays well too.

Design matters more than ever. Around 65% of all website traffic comes from mobile devices, making a mobile-first approach essential. Plus, 94% of businesses say website design impacts their impression of a brand, and 42% of users will leave a site if it’s hard to use.

To stand out, a strong portfolio is your best tool—it shows what you can do. But industry-recognized certifications can boost your credibility, especially if you’re just starting out or want to specialize.

In this pathway, whether you're freelancing, joining a design agency, or building your own brand, the web design world is full of opportunity. Just keep learning, stay creative, and always design with the user in mind.

Reach Out Today

If you are a teacher or administrator interested in our Web Design course and certification, reach out to us today. Our free 20-minute demo can show you the value for you and your students.

Taking a Look at Our Work in Research

Sun, 20 Jul 2025 19:54:43 GMT

Today we are highlighting an aspect of CTeLearning that many of our clients may not know about: research projects. Although much of our work is focused on providing curriculum to middle schools and high schools, we also work with universities and research groups to support research projects. We recently completed a project with Dr. Jessica Morales-Chicas and Dr. Mauricio Castillo of California State University, Los Angeles (CSULA). We have partnered with Dr. Morales-Chicas and Dr. Castillo for years and this project was yet another successful collaboration.

Project Overview

This project revolved around a research study focused on culturally responsive education. Five focus groups guided youth in reflecting on their identities and imagining culturally responsive mobile apps to support this endeavor. The team at CTeLearning provided the code and curriculum that made it possible for the participants of the study to build their mobile apps. This development work was done on a custom basis for this specific CSULA research project.

Participants in the project conceptualized culture in different ways including traditions, customs, language, beliefs and more. All of these factors shaped the culturally responsive coding curriculum.

Q&A with Steve

We caught up with CTeLearning founder and lead developer Steve Waddell to discuss his team’s experience working on the project.

What was the experience like working with CSULA?

We have been working with CSULA since 2006. Primarily we have worked with their College of Engineering, Computer Science & Technology, Department of Education, and with their work with local STEM programs.

What challenges did the team encounter in building the curriculum? How did the team overcome those challenges?

This is much of what we normally do. As curriculum developers we are always looking for ways to engage the learner and get them to viscerally care about the project they are working on. That is just good project-based learning design. What we loved about working with the CSULA team was the chance to add a cultural twist to what we naturally do and to then see how that enhanced the engagement. Increased engagement means increased learning.

How rewarding is it to see a completed research project and know CTeLearning played a role in its success?

I loved the pride the kids had for where they and their families came from, and how they recognized their values of the importance of family came through so clearly. It was very cool seeing how proud they all were that they had built a mobile-ready app that they were sharing with their families and friends. So, that cultural pride was being shared with the people most important to them.

How did CTeLearning get involved working with the research community?

It started in 2007 when the state of Kansas asked us to save a WIRED project to develop a workforce training course for biotechnology that had stalled. This introduced us to the local biotechnology and life sciences community, and just a year later we were invited into projects with the regional stakeholders. Today we are working with researchers all over the US and doing projects on vaccine hesitancy, wellness, pediatric cancer, autism, urban health disparities, and more. We have even created projects that are active in Africa.

Are there any other thoughts you would like to share?

As developers creating courseware to teach careers and how to be successful in industry, I think it is important to have a foot in both worlds. Our work with industry and research keeps us grounded in what it takes to be successful in the work world, and gives us a bit of “street cred.”

To learn more, click here for the full article that was published in the Computer Science Education journal in July 2025.

If you are a researcher looking for assistance with your research project, reach out to us today.

Equipping the Next Generation With AI Skills

Thu, 01 May 2025 18:57:29 GMT

Today we are highlighting one of our long-time partners, Dr. Maurico Castillo, and his students. Dr. Castillo teaches in the College of Engineering, Computer Science, and Technology at California State University, Los Angeles and is an Advisor for Web Professionals Global , the professional association for all things web.

This semester, Dr. Castillo has been teaching students at the Esteban Torres High School Engineering & Technology Academy. He is teaching CTeLearning’s AI for the Workplace course . 30 students worked their way through the course that teaches students how AI can be harnessed in the workplace, no matter what the future educational and career paths of the students may be. The course features the PromptScout tool, which helps students learn how various AI prompts can be used in a variety of professional settings to streamline work. The 5,360 prompts cover 63 different industries ranging from welding and business and cosmetology to agriculture.

We caught up with Dr. Castillo to hear about his experience working with CTeLearning and teaching the course: “AI is here and is becoming a part of every career pathway. As CTE educators we must prepare learners for their future, and their future will include AI. AI will not replace people in their chosen pathways, but I see it helping to do more in less time. For example, people in a variety of career fields including welders, electricians, mechanics, solar techs, cosmetologists, web designers, and arborists are small business owners and entrepreneurs. As a welder, you have a craft that is high-paying and you may own your own business. AI can help you with many administrative tasks including digital marketing, customer service communications, and even safety reviews and codes review. AI is becoming the new career literacy. Every student needs to learn about how AI is a valuable tool and not something we should be afraid of.

I was the first to deploy this course in CA. I took the opportunity with a class at a local high school that had 30 students. As a member of the advisory committee of Web Professionals Global, I got to see much of the early development of the microcredential and its supporting curriculum. So, when I had the chance to give it a test drive, I could not resist. I am a professor, and so like all professor types I am passionate about learning and can talk forever on any topic I love. I am excited for you to hear from the first class of certificate earners.”

Hear From the Students

Let’s hear from Dr. Castillo’s students about how they liked the course.

“What I liked about the CTelearning course is that it made you learn ways you can work with AI without letting the AI control your work. It helps you understand how to make the AI work with you and what you want to create. I also like the scenarios because it helps us get an experience of what it's like to use AI to help which work. ” –Veronica Perez

“To learn about AI is a great thing considering that’s what is increasing in this economy. I feel like this program is doing a good thing teaching us high school students how to use it. Learning AI can help us in the future as we can find a path in an AI-based career or even in common life situations. I’m very glad to be able to have this opportunity as I see this as something very useful for my future.” –Josie Beltran

“There were many things that I enjoyed about the AI in the Workplace course. Before this, I was always skeptical about AI, and even considered myself a hater. When I started reading the modules, I really enjoyed the new information I was learning about AI and how helpful it can be in work life, but also in real life. I also liked how there were sections in the modules that showed the dangers and cons for AI. A lot of people who are passionate about something seem to only show the bright side of it, but I really liked that the course didn’t show any bias and showed how AI can be bad as well. Another reason why I liked this was because it taught me new ways to use AI and all the capabilities it has.” –Derrek Aparicio

“The program was very helpful because it helps you learn completely different things and can help prepare you for the future.” –Jesse Mendez

“What I like about the program is the attention to detail throughout the course. Each action is divided into different topics, making it more accessible to users.” –Emely Perez

“What I liked about the program we took was the scenarios. They allow me to see situations where I could use AI in real life. The situations were mainly in work environments, where I could really use AI to help me in situations.” –Abel Gonzales

Your School Could Be Next

Contact us today at hello@ctelearning.com or 877-828-1216 to schedule your free 20-minute demo. One of our team members will show you how you can bring this innovative AI curriculum into your classroom and prepare your students for success.

In Pennsylvania - Approval for New Animation Certification

Thu, 10 Apr 2025 19:37:19 GMT

Frequent readers of our blog know we like to highlight our teachers and students across the country who are doing great work. Today we are highlighting Patrick McLane and his students. Patrick is the Illustration and Design Instructor at the Career Technology Center (CTC) of Lackawanna County in Pennsylvania and will be delivering a new certificate opportunity to his students in Fall 2025 thanks to a new partnership.

Recently, career and technical education (CTE) programs in PA schools worked with the Pennsylvania Department of Education Bureau of Career and Technical Education (BCTE) to provide an alternative to Adobe certificates for high school and CTC students. Thanks to this effort, the Certified Web Animator Certificate is now recognized in the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) by the state of Pennsylvania.

The certificate is part of our Web and Computer Animation course and is backed by Web Professionals Global , our industry partner. Web Professionals Global is the industry association for all web-related careers, and all certifications are created and backed by industry professionals. The Learn and Earn partnership with Web Professionals Global allows students to earn career-building certifications while still in school, and the cost of certifications are underwritten by the CTeLearning partnership with the professional association.

Editors’s Note: Formerly known as the World of Webmasters (WOW), Web Professionals Global underwent a rebranding in 2022. Certifications in state listings may still appear under the WOW umbrella. Today, most educators and industry members recognize that WOW is now known as Web Professionals Global.

Patrick’s students will be exploring an exciting career pathway and earning certifications that they can take with them in their future educational and professional careers. Another bonus Patrick and his students will enjoy is the fact that the curriculum is PC, Mac and Chromebook ready. It also includes a robust online animation editor tool suite that is free with the curriculum, and there is nothing to install on the student’s device. This will ensure complete flexibility and mobility for all his learners.

Let’s hear from Patrick to hear about his experience getting the certificate approved by the state and what he is looking forward to when his students take advantage of this opportunity next fall.

What did your advisory committee say when you approached them about adding the Certified Web Animator Certificate and shifting away from offering only an Adobe Photoshop certification? Did they echo your sentiments about wanting to offer more to students?

Our Occupational Advisory Committee was in agreement that there needed to be an alternative to the Adobe Certifications as a path to graduation for students. They felt that the Certified Web Animator Certificate was a great option. Not only did it satisfy many of the Digital Imaging requirements of our task list, it offered an opportunity for students to practice and master many soft-skills addressed in our instructional area. One of the stand outs of the Web Professionals Global certifications is their attention to soft skills. The certifications are all about building the whole professional and not someone who is proficient in just a tool or a couple skills. In this case the Web Animator certification also covers ethics, IP, project management, design process, marketing, storyboard, audio, and technical aspects of creating robust animations built on a timeline.

What was the process like working with the Pennsylvania Department of Education to get the Certified Web Animator Certificate approved?

The process proved to be pretty painless. The documentation of your curriculum was so thorough, it made it easy for us to show alignment with our state task list.

The Certified Web Animator Certificate teaches not only animation but also music, sound effects, audio engineering, storyboarding, ethics, critical thinking, and math in the workplace. What do you like about this comprehensive approach to preparing learners?

I love the fact that the program incorporates various competencies. The soft skills and professional practice elements of the certification add another level of assessment for those areas of my curriculum. The production areas are an added bonus that help the students develop into more well-rounded professionals and prepare them for the workforce.

How does it feel knowing you are giving your students the opportunity to earn certifications that are backed by industry, not just a testing company?

It is an excellent addition to my program. Not only does it give students skills that are transferable no matter which platform a potential employer utilizes, it provides opportunities for higher level creative problem solving.

What feedback have you received from your administrators about the course change and upgrading the certification options?

Our administration is always appreciative when we can offer additional opportunities to students. It helps when they are marketing our program to sending school districts.

What would you tell other teachers who may be interested in offering this certification to their students?

If you have been searching for an alternative certification path for your students, the Certified Web Animator Certificate is an excellent option whether your program is focused on digital media, web design, or commercial and advertising design. The concepts presented in the program are industry standard and applicable to a wide range of disciplines.

Contact us Today

For more information about how you can help your students earn career-building certifications, contact us today at 913-764-4272 or hello@ctelearning.com . We would be happy to show you how we can help in a free 20-minute demo.

2025 Infographic Web and Mobile Game Design Career Pathway

Mon, 07 Apr 2025 16:28:15 GMT

The demand for new web and mobile games continues to surge, driven by the staggering numbers of players worldwide. With approximately 1 in 4 people globally engaging in mobile gaming and over 1.13 billion online gamers, the market shows no signs of slowing down. We offer a Web and Mobile Video Game Design course designed to prepare middle school and high school students for this exciting career pathway.

In 2024 alone, the industry witnessed the release of over one million new mobile games annually across iOS and Android platforms. These figures are subject to slight fluctuations influenced by market dynamics and global events.

Notably, statistics reveal a significant presence of women in mobile gaming, constituting 63% of the player base. Furthermore, while the US contributes 29% to global mobile game spending, a substantial 71% of revenue emanates from outside the US.

Currently, there are approximately 500,000 mobile gaming apps available on Android platforms. The average age of mobile gamers stands at 36.3 years, indicating a broad demographic appeal.

China leads the gaming market with over 700 million gamers, while the US boasts over 191 million mobile gamers, with both numbers continuing to grow. Browser-based games, or web games, are projected to become a market worth over $9 billion by 2027, highlighting the expanding opportunities in this sector.

Additionally, gamification is increasingly permeating various industries, simplifying training and process descriptions, including marketing. A recent poll indicates that 50% of startups plan to integrate gaming elements into their strategies in the near future.

One aspect of game development is web app games. These games appear as mobile games, but do not need to be downloaded to the mobile device. Unlike traditional mobile games that require purchase or download from app stores, web app games are accessible through any smartphone browser. Game designers are leveraging this to bypass app store fees and directly reach a broad audience eager for new gaming experiences.

Game design is a broad field and allows many different opportunities for anyone interested in this industry. The obvious are game designers and game developers, but that is only a small part of the story. To build a successful game you need graphic artists, sound effects artists, audio engineers, project managers, producers, and game testers, just to name a few.

The Opportunity

In the realm of career opportunities, the demand for web design skills is skyrocketing in today's digital age. From small enterprises to multinational corporations, establishing a robust online presence is imperative for global competitiveness. Learning web design not only unlocks diverse opportunities but also equips individuals with sought-after skills applicable across industries.

While some designers pursue four-year degrees, many enter the field armed with industry credentials, a strong portfolio, and some post-secondary education. Employers now prioritize industry certifications and portfolios over traditional college degrees, recognizing the value of practical skills and expertise.

Embarking on a career in game design offers various pathways. While a formal degree program remains an option, an increasing number of studios and employers prefer industry credentials and portfolios. Lifelong learning is emphasized, with many designers opting for self-education supplemented by industry-based certifications to gain a competitive edge.

Entrepreneurial individuals may opt to establish their own design businesses, offering autonomy over projects, clients, and schedules. Freelancing is another avenue, providing flexibility in choosing clients and setting rates, along with exposure to the global market and diverse collaborations.

Beyond career prospects, game design enhances problem-solving and critical thinking skills, offering continuous learning opportunities and transferable skills applicable across diverse fields.

Educators are encouraged to guide students towards this high-growth pathway, unlocking doors to successful and fulfilling careers in web and mobile game design.

Check out our Web and Mobile Video Game Design course and contact us for a free demo.

How Our AI for the Workplace Course is Equipping Students

Fri, 21 Mar 2025 19:45:54 GMT

Today we are highlighting Tracy Curry, a Technology Teacher at S&S Consolidated ISD in Sadler, TX, and her students. For background, check out this article we published a while back on how Tracy is using our Web Game Design curriculum with her students. This semester, her students are working on the CTeLearning AI for the Workplace course and earning an AI credential backed by Web Professionals Global that they can take with them in their careers, no matter what industries they enter. This past December, Tracy invited Steve to do a video Q&A with her students to talk about the importance of AI and answer student questions.

Before beginning the AI for the Workplace course, many of the students believed that AI tools are only applicable for computer programmers. During his talk, Steve showed them how AI can be applied to a variety of industries and that it is a tool to be used by anyone in any career pathway. Those who know how to use AI can set themselves apart and build a competitive edge over others without AI knowledge and skills. In fact, 70% of employers will hire someone who has AI skills over someone who has more experience but does not have AI skills.

The course features CTeLearning’s PromptScout tool, which helps students understand how various prompts can be used in a variety of professional settings for different objectives. The 5,360 prompts cover 63 different industries including construction, healthcare, agriculture, automotive mechanics, welding, cosmetology, business and more. These real-world prompts give students a tangible understanding of what it means to utilize AI tools for professional purposes.

Let’s hear from Tracy and her students on their experience with the AI for the Workplace course and how they are enjoying it.

Tracy Feedback

What do you like about teaching AI for the Workplace microcredential?

What I like most about teaching AI for the Workplace is that I am giving my students a headstart when it comes to AI and the workplace.

How do you like that this course has a built in application (PromptScout in module 4 of the course) to help students explore and understand how AI can be a powerful tool regardless of their career pathway?

PromptScout is extremely useful to students in finding different industries and companies to see how AI can be a powerful tool. The app is helpful because students may not think of all the industries that it lists, and that may lead them to look at industries they had not considered before. It saves teachers a lot of time finding the information for the students or directing them to the right place. It might also help them decide on another pathway or career path based on their findings.

How does it feel to know that you’re providing your students with the opportunity to earn industry certifications in a new technology, where 66% of companies now consider AI skills a key requirement for all new hires?

I feel privileged to be able to offer this course to my students. When many of my colleagues are pulling their hair out and fighting AI, I’m doing the opposite in that I’m encouraging my students to use AI. Your course provides the information students need to become familiar with AI and the different types of AI applicable to all different industries. Your course reinforced what I’ve been telling my students about AI and its importance to their future, and it provides evidence about how it’s being used currently in the workforce. This course also helps my students think about how it can be used in the future to make their lives easier.

How has your experience been working with CTeLearning?

My experience working with CTeLearning has been incredible. The course is very easy to set up and use. My students are at all different ability levels, so the fact that they can work at their own pace is extremely beneficial for my classes. The curriculum is straightforward yet challenging so that it keeps the students engaged. Also, the support that I get from the CTeLearning team is fantastic and most helpful.

What would you tell other teachers who may be interested in teaching this course?

I would tell them to jump into it‒they will not regret it!

Student Feedback

What do you like about the AI for the Workplace course?

The course is the first course that I have taken that uses real-life scenarios in its curriculum. I enjoyed getting to better understand both the capabilities and coordination of AI programs.

How does it make you feel that you have earned this credential?

I feel like the credential will help me find a job in the future and it taught me how to correctly use AI. I feel accomplished in earning one of my first credentials.

How has the course helped you realize the significant role AI will play as a tool in your future career?

AI is going to be used in everything and now I am ready to use it. The course has shown me how artificial intelligence can streamline my career work, and being ethical in my career.

What was the biggest surprise you had while learning AI?

The biggest surprise to me while learning about artificial intelligence was the number of different industries and careers it can support.

What would you say to other students who may be interested in earning their AI certificate?

To other students that would like to try the AI course, I would tell them it's a simple and useful credential that would be worth their time if they tried it.

Your School Could Be Next

Reach out to us today to learn more about the AI for the Workplace course. With just a 20-minute demo, we can show you how you can equip your students for success in their futures.

2025 Animation Industry Infographic for Educators

Thu, 20 Mar 2025 11:29:49 GMT

A career in animation is one of the dream careers many people aspire to. It is a highly creative and in-demand career path. With attractive salaries and the personal freedom it offers, a career in animation could be the right choice for you. Movies, television shows, video games, and other forms of media use computer animation.

Many people pursue careers in animation because it offers a mix of creativity and lucrative opportunities. Those who value freedom and self expression are especially drawn to this field. However, there's a misconception that only graphic artists can find jobs in this exciting and rapidly growing industry. That couldn't be further from the truth.

Animation projects require not only animators but also a wide range of other creative professionals. These roles include sound effects artists, audio engineers, music composers, voice actors, storyboard artists, character designers, scriptwriters, project managers, producers and directors. And the business aspect plays an important role in ensuring the sustainability of any animation venture, which involves marketers, entrepreneurs and business administrators.

It is obvious why someone who is artistically inclined would want to study animation, but why would someone interested in business, science or engineering be interested.? Studying animation benefits individuals in marketing, business and engineering in so many ways. It helps develop skills such as storytelling, creative content creation and the ability to explain complex ideas in a visually appealing way. These skills greatly enhance communication and problem solving abilities.

Marketers can use animation to create engaging narratives that enrich their campaigns. Animation can transform presentations and assist in visualizing products effectively. Engineers can leverage animation tools for simulations and design processes. This interdisciplinary approach fosters creativity, technical expertise and strategic thinking across professions, ultimately making complex information more accessible and captivating for everyone involved.

As we look to the near future, the animation industry will accelerate the integration of emerging technologies such as augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and artificial intelligence (AI). More than ever before, we will see a blurring of the lines between digital and physical worlds. Animators will be at the center of creating even more immersive and interactive experiences. We are on the edge of a new world of storytelling. Are you ready? Check out our Animation Course and contact us today for a free demo.

Introducing a New “Learn and Earn” Certification Model

Sat, 01 Mar 2025 21:10:30 GMT

We are proud to introduce a new model for teachers to reward their career and technical students with international industry-recognized certifications. Read on for how our new model provides schools, teachers, students and parents with a better alternative to the old model of students earning certifications.

The Old Way

We all know the traditional model of earning a certification: the school proctors an exam, usually from a testing company that sells the exams. Teachers are forced into teaching for the exam to try to increase student scores. More than half of students suffer from moderate to high test anxiety, which adds to the burden of teachers preparing students for exams. Students prepare by cramming for the exam, using test prep guides and even memorizing questions—and after completing the exam they often forget what they learned. Exams can cost $70-$120 per student, which can be a burden for schools and families.

A Better Way

Our Learn and Earn approach enables students to earn their certifications as they work through our career and technical education courseware. At the end of the course—based on their grades, completion of the projects, and building their career-ready portfolio—the learner is rewarded with their certification without needing to sit for any high stakes exam. The Learn and Earn path means there is no exam, no exam fees, and no test anxiety. Instead, students learn hard and soft skills, build real-world projects, and demonstrate technical aptitude that they can take with them into future educational and career opportunities. Our courses funnel students into high-demand and high-paying career pathways including web design, mobile game design, video game design, web animation and more.

Video: hear our lead developer Steve discuss this new model

How Did We Do This?

CTeLearning partnered with the Web Professionals Global Organization to build this better model. We have been working closely with WebProfessionalsGlobal.org since around 2011 and producing curriculum that aligned to their certifications since 2013. We worked with their executive team to address the primary concerns we heard from educators: the first barrier was trying to schedule a proctored exam at the end of the semester when time is short, and the second barrier was exam fees. Although teachers want to provide opportunities for their students to earn industry certifications, it is not always financially feasible for a school department to underwrite the costs for students.

After signing NDAs, and promising to secure all of the organization’s content and testing intellectual property, we took all of the industry exam domains and exam questions and weaved them into a group of our courses that were already aligned to specific certificates. This was no easy feat, but it meant that we were able to show the association that students who completed the curriculum, fully, were meeting all of their certification requirements. A partnership between CTeLearning and Web Professionals Global Organization as well as select association members underwrites the certification fees for every student who completes the curriculum and meets the minimum requirements for the certificate.

The Learn and Earn model was born from recognizing that the old “teach to the test” model is not preparing our students for the changing economy where having real-world experience is so important. By rethinking what certification really means, and modeling how industry sees success, we are helping educators to prepare their students for whatever educational or career pathways they choose.

Our curricula that offers these certifications includes:

Learn More

If you want to be part of a new way of preparing students for their futures, today is the day. Curious? Contact us at imagine@ctelearning.com or call our lead developer, Steve, directly at 913-764-4272.

The post Introducing a New “Learn and Earn” Certification Model appeared first on CTeLearning .

Pennsylvania CTE Update: New Approved Web & IT Certifications

swaddell@ctelearning.com (Steve Waddell) — Mon, 27 Jan 2025 14:48:58 GMT

We are happy to share great news for Career and Technical Education (CTE) leaders across the Keystone State. The Pennsylvania Department of Education’s Bureau of Career and Technical Education (BCTE) has officially expanded its list of approved industry-recognized certifications. This update opens a powerful new door for students in Information Technology, Digital Multimedia, and Web Design programs by greenlighting credentials from Web Professionals Global .

For Pennsylvania directors and instructors, this isn't just another test on a list—it is a bridge to a global professional association that has been the gold standard in web standards since 1996.

The Newly Approved Pennsylvania Credentials

Under the category of Information Technology/Web Page, Digital/Multimedia & Information Resources Design , the BCTE now recognizes the following certifications:

Certified Web Designer
Certified Web Animator
Certified Web and Mobile Game Designer

On official state documentation, you may see these listed as Certified Web Professional (spanning Apprentice, Associate, and Professional levels).

A Note on Branding: Some state lists may still reference the World Association of Webmasters (WOW). Please note that this is the exact same organization; they simply rebranded to Web Professionals Global in 2022 to better reflect the diverse, modern landscape of the internet economy.

Why This Approval is a Game-Changer for PA Districts

What separates these certifications from "generic" testing products is the organization behind them. Web Professionals Global is not a testing company—it is a vibrant international professional association.

When your students sit for these exams, they are being evaluated by the same organization that founded the SkillsUSA Web Design and Development national competition in 2004 . This is a community of working designers, developers, and eCommerce experts who are in the trenches of the industry every day.

The "Human-Centric" Industry Advantage

In an era where AI is shifting the landscape of technical work, these certifications focus on the Human-Centric STEM skills that matter most: critical thinking, professional ethics, and high-level design logic. By earning these credentials, Pennsylvania students aren't just proving they can use a tool; they are proving they belong to a professional community dedicated to education and career growth.

Meeting Chapter 339 and Perkins V Requirements

For CTE Directors, this approval is a vital tool for meeting Chapter 339 compliance and Perkins V performance indicators. These state-recognized credentials provide:

High-Wage, High-Demand Alignment: Web and mobile design roles remain some of the fastest-growing sectors in the Pennsylvania economy.
College and Career Readiness: These certifications carry weight on college applications and resumes, signaling to employers that the student has met international industry standards.
Measurable Outcomes: Having state-approved certifications allows districts to clearly track and report student success to the PDE.

The "Learn and Earn" Partnership: Reducing Barriers

At CTeLearning, we believe that "Hardware Equity" and financial accessibility are the keys to student success. That is why these certifications are supported by our unique Learn and Earn partnership with Web Professionals Global.

Through this partnership, we provide a "Virtual Apprenticeship" curriculum that prepares students directly for these exams on any device—including Chromebooks. Most importantly, this partnership allows many students to qualify for certification scholarships , potentially making these professional credentials completely free for the learner.

Taking the Next Step for Your Program

This is a significant win for Pennsylvania’s digital workforce. By integrating these newly approved certifications, you are giving your students a head start in a competitive global market while ensuring your program remains at the cutting edge of state standards.

Is your program ready to offer these state-approved credentials?

We are here to help you navigate the implementation, from curriculum alignment to scholarship applications. Let’s work together to ensure Pennsylvania students are the most "Career Ready" in the nation.

Connect with CTeLearning

Email: hello@ctelearning.com
Phone (Direct): 913-764-4272
Toll-Free: 877-828-1216
Web: www.ctelearning.com

How Can AI Help People in the Trades?

Mon, 30 Dec 2024 22:42:22 GMT

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing industries worldwide, and the trades are no exception. Rather than replacing skilled tradespeople, AI is emerging as a powerful tool to enhance their work. From streamlining complex tasks to offering innovative solutions, AI enables tradespeople to work smarter, faster, and more efficiently—saving time and money while improving safety and quality.

So often, people think of AI as a tool only for the tech world, but it has applications far beyond coding and software development. Whether you are in a trade, a small business owner, or a tech professional, AI has something to offer everyone—if you know how to use it. By learning how to integrate AI into daily workflows, individuals across all industries can unlock new efficiencies and possibilities.

We could apply this approach to every trade career, but we already do this comprehensively with our PromptScout app in our brand-new AI for the Workplace course . In this article we will highlight several career pathways including welding, construction, electrical work, plumbing, dental hygiene, and cosmetology to demonstrate how trade professionals are finding practical ways to incorporate AI tools like ChatGPT, Claude, Perplexity, CoPilot, etc. into their daily routines.

AI and the Trades

AI in Welding

Applications and Benefits

AI in welding is primarily used for quality assurance, process optimization, and safety monitoring. Welding involves precision, and even minor errors can lead to structural weaknesses. AI can analyze welding patterns, detect inconsistencies, and provide real-time feedback to improve quality. For example, AI-powered welding robots equipped with sensors can monitor heat levels, adjust welding speed, and ensure consistent weld seams. These robots don’t replace welders but assist them in achieving precise results, reducing the need for rework and material waste.

Example: Using ChatGPT in Welding

A welder could use ChatGPT to quickly look up troubleshooting steps for common welding defects like porosity or cracking. For instance, a welder encountering uneven weld beads might ask, “What are some reasons my weld beads are uneven, and how can I fix them?” ChatGPT could provide detailed guidance, helping the welder resolve the issue on the spot.

AI in Construction

Applications and Benefits

Construction projects are complex, requiring meticulous planning and coordination. AI excels in managing logistics, analyzing structural designs, and predicting potential issues before they arise. AI-powered software can create detailed project schedules, optimize material usage, and forecast potential delays due to weather or supply chain disruptions. Drones equipped with AI can survey construction sites, providing accurate measurements and identifying safety hazards.

Example: Using ChatGPT in Construction

A construction manager might use ChatGPT to draft safety guidelines for a specific task or generate a materials list based on project specifications. For example, “What are the safety precautions for operating a crane near power lines?” ChatGPT can offer a concise checklist, ensuring compliance and worker safety.

AI in Electrical Work

Applications and Benefits

Electricians benefit from AI tools that diagnose electrical issues, design circuits, and predict system failures. Smart home systems integrated with AI allow electricians to set up automated energy-saving configurations for clients, enhancing functionality and efficiency. AI-powered diagnostic tools can analyze electrical panels and pinpoint issues such as overloaded circuits or faulty wiring. These tools save time by eliminating guesswork, allowing electricians to focus on repairs.

Example: Using ChatGPT in Electrical Work

An electrician could use ChatGPT to find wiring diagrams or confirm code compliance for a specific installation. For instance, they might ask, “Help me diagnose a large voltage drop on an outside circuit.” ChatGPT’s response can serve as a quick reference, ensuring the job is done correctly. Additionally, an electrician could use AI tools to create a brochure or blog post to promote their qualifications, highlighting certifications, services offered, and customer testimonials to attract more clients.

AI in Plumbing

Applications and Benefits

AI in plumbing aids in detecting leaks, mapping pipe systems, and preventing water waste. Smart sensors combined with AI can monitor water flow and alert plumbers to potential issues before they escalate. AI-enabled cameras can inspect pipes for blockages or corrosion, providing plumbers with real-time visuals and analytics. These tools improve accuracy and reduce the time needed to diagnose problems.

Example: Using ChatGPT in Plumbing

A plumber might use ChatGPT to draft an estimate or explain a repair process to a customer. For example, “How should I explain the steps for replacing a water heater to a homeowner?” ChatGPT can generate a clear explanation, helping the plumber communicate effectively and build trust with the client. Additionally, a plumber could use AI tools to create a spreadsheet showing the return on investment (ROI) for installing low-flow toilets and shower heads, illustrating potential water savings and long-term cost benefits for clients.

AI in Dental Hygiene

Applications and Benefits

Dental hygienists can leverage AI for patient diagnostics, treatment planning, and education. AI-powered imaging tools analyze X-rays and dental scans to detect cavities, gum disease, or other oral health issues more accurately and quickly than traditional methods. AI can also streamline administrative tasks like appointment scheduling, allowing dental hygienists to focus more on patient care.

Example: Using ChatGPT in Dental Hygiene

A dental hygienist might use ChatGPT to draft a patient-friendly explanation of a complex treatment plan. For instance, they could ask, “How can I explain the process of scaling and root planing to a nervous patient?” ChatGPT could generate a calming and clear explanation, making patients feel more at ease.

AI in Cosmetology

Applications and Benefits

Cosmetologists can use AI to enhance customer consultations, create personalized beauty regimens, and manage salon operations. AI-driven apps analyze skin and hair conditions, recommending tailored treatments or products for clients.

Additionally, AI can assist in designing hairstyles or makeup looks, using virtual try-on technology to help clients visualize results before committing to a service.

Example: Using ChatGPT in Cosmetology

A cosmetologist might use ChatGPT to write a social media post promoting a new service or product. For example, “Can you help me create a post about the benefits of keratin treatments?” ChatGPT could draft an engaging post, helping attract new clients and build their business. Additionally, a cosmetologist could use ChatGPT to create an outline and script for giving a workshop for seniors on best practices to maintain healthy hair. For instance, they might ask, “Help me draft a detailed outline and talking points for a workshop on senior hair care best practices.” ChatGPT can generate a professional and engaging plan to ensure the workshop is both informative and enjoyable.

Additional Benefits of AI for Tradespeople

Time-Saving: AI automates repetitive tasks like documentation, inventory management, and scheduling, allowing tradespeople to focus on hands-on work.
Cost Efficiency: AI reduces waste and optimizes resource use, saving money on materials and energy.
Safety: AI-powered sensors and monitoring tools enhance workplace safety by identifying hazards and ensuring compliance with regulations.
Skill Enhancement: By providing instant access to information and best practices, AI empowers tradespeople to continuously improve their skills.

Conclusion

AI is a game-changer for the trades, offering tools and insights that help professionals work more efficiently, reduce costs, and improve outcomes. Whether it’s ensuring the precision of a weld, optimizing a construction schedule, diagnosing electrical issues, detecting plumbing leaks, enhancing dental hygiene, or improving cosmetology services, AI enhances the capabilities of skilled tradespeople without replacing their expertise.

By integrating AI tools like ChatGPT into their daily workflows, tradespeople can solve problems faster, communicate more effectively, and deliver higher-quality results. As AI continues to evolve, its potential to support and empower the trades will only grow, making it an indispensable partner for professionals in the field.

Our AI for the Workplace curriculum with an industry-based microcredential enables CTE teachers to give their students a career-boosting industry credential in just five hours of class time. This curriculum empowers learners with skills to use AI as a tool, positioning them as the most hireable employees in their fields.

Click here or call us at 913-764-4272 to schedule a free 20-minute demo of any of our courses and certifications.

Interested in learning more? Check out our 2026 Guide to Perkins V Compliance and Funding .

Sources

American Welding Society. (2023). “AI in Welding: Enhancing Precision and Quality.” Retrieved from https://www.aws.org
National Association of Home Builders. (2023). “AI Tools in Construction Management.” Retrieved from https://www.nahb.org
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. (2023). “How AI is Supporting Electricians.” Retrieved from https://www.ibew.org
Plumbing Manufacturers International. (2023). “AI Applications in Modern Plumbing.” Retrieved from https://www.safeplumbing.org
WebProfessionalsGlobal.org “Congratulating the First Students to Earn the New Certified AI for the Workplace Credential” Retrieved from https://webprofessionalsglobal.org/congratulating-the-first-students-to-earn-the-new-certified-ai-for-the-workplace-credential/
WebProfessionalsGlobal.org “Introducing the AI for the Workplace Certificate “ https://webprofessionalsglobal.org/introducing-the-ai-for-the-workplace-certificate/

Learning from AI Failures: Lessons for Educators and Students

swaddell@ctelearning.com (Steve Waddell) — Mon, 30 Dec 2024 18:00:15 GMT

Artificial intelligence is shaping the future of work. From healthcare to engineering, AI tools are transforming industries. Our recently released AI for the Workplace course prepares students for the world of AI, no matter where their future educational and professional paths will take them. But AI isn’t perfect. When things go wrong, the lessons can be just as valuable as the successes. Our course shows how while AI is an incredibly powerful tool, it cannot just be trusted blindly without verification. Here, we explore some high-profile AI failures and how they can guide educators in preparing learners for an AI-driven workplace.

Misleading Outputs

The Failure: In one instance, a generative AI system created false news headlines. These included fabricated stories about public figures, leading to confusion and reputational damage. For example, AI erroneously reported that a CEO had committed suicide, causing panic before the truth was clarified. Similarly, Google’s AI suggested bizarre solutions to common questions, such as adding glue to pizza sauce or eating rocks daily. These errors highlighted how AI can misinterpret data or provide nonsensical advice when not carefully monitored.

Takeaway for Educators: Teach students to verify AI outputs. Emphasize the importance of critical thinking when using AI tools. Encourage learners to question results and double-check facts.

Thought for Students: Always be the human in the loop. AI is powerful, but your judgment is irreplaceable.

Bias in AI: Who’s Left Out?

The Failure: Recruitment tools trained on biased data favored men over women or excluded older candidates. In healthcare, algorithms gave lower-risk scores to Black patients compared to white patients with similar needs. These issues arose from biased training data that reflected existing inequalities, reinforcing discrimination instead of eliminating it. For example, an AI system penalized resumes containing words like “women’s” or identifying all-women colleges, systematically disadvantaging female applicants.

Takeaway for Educators: Highlight the importance of ethical AI use. Show students how biases in data can lead to unfair outcomes. Discuss how diversity in datasets can improve AI systems.

Thought for Students: Question the fairness of AI. Ask who’s included, who’s excluded, and why.

Legal Trouble: AI and Fabricated Information

The Failure: Lawyers have used AI to cite nonexistent legal cases. One instance led to fines and professional embarrassment after a court discovered fabricated precedents. In one case, an attorney submitted a brief with six false citations provided by AI, complete with fake quotes and docket numbers. These errors arose because the lawyer relied entirely on AI without verifying the accuracy of its outputs.

Takeaway for Educators: Stress the importance of validating AI-generated information. Create assignments where students cross-reference AI outputs with credible sources.

Thought for Students: AI can assist, but it can also mislead. Your diligence makes all the difference.

Automation Gone Awry: The Tesla Incidents

The Failure: Tesla’s Full Self-Driving AI faced scrutiny after numerous crashes. Investigations revealed safety concerns tied to AI decision-making in critical moments. In some cases, the system misjudged obstacles, leading to collisions, while in others, it failed to recognize road hazards altogether. These incidents raised questions about the readiness of autonomous systems for widespread adoption and the ethical responsibility of companies deploying such technology.

Takeaway for Educators: Use real-world examples to discuss AI’s limitations. Encourage students to think about the ethical implications of autonomous systems.

Thought for Students: Ask yourself, “How can we make AI safer and more reliable?” Your innovations could save lives.

Missteps in Customer Service

The Failure: A chatbot advised a business owner to violate legal regulations. In another case, a virtual assistant provided inaccurate airline policy information, leading to financial disputes. For example, a passenger was misled into buying an expensive ticket under false promises of a refund, resulting in a legal battle. These failures underscore the risks of poorly designed AI systems in customer-facing roles.

Takeaway for Educators: Teach students the value of user education. Highlight the risks of relying solely on AI for critical decisions.

Thought for Students: An AI answer isn’t the final word. Learn to spot errors and seek clarification when needed.

AI and False Promises

The Failure: A company used AI-generated content in marketing, leading to celebrity likenesses being used without consent. For instance, Tom Hanks’ image was digitally recreated to promote a product he never endorsed. Similarly, AI-created promotional materials for events failed to deliver on their promises, leaving customers disappointed and businesses facing backlash.

Takeaway for Educators: Discuss intellectual property and ethical marketing practices. Teach students how to use AI responsibly in creative projects.

Thought for Students: AI can enhance creativity, but integrity matters. Make sure your work respects others’ rights.

Drive-Thru Chaos: When AI Fumbles

The Failure: An AI system implemented in McDonald’s drive-thrus led to widespread frustration. Customers reported repeated errors in orders, including accidental bulk purchases of items. One incident involved an AI misinterpreting a customer’s order and adding 260 chicken nuggets. These mistakes became viral moments on social media, damaging the brand’s reputation.

Takeaway for Educators: Use this as a case study in user experience design. Teach students how to anticipate user needs and design for reliability.

Thought for Students: Technology should make life easier, not harder. Think about how your designs impact real people.

Ethical Red Flags in AI Training

The Failure: Microsoft’s chatbot became offensive after being exposed to toxic online interactions. This highlighted the risks of using unfiltered data to train AI models. Within hours, the chatbot began spewing racist and offensive language, forcing Microsoft to shut it down. The failure demonstrated the importance of curating training data and monitoring AI behavior.

Takeaway for Educators: Teach data ethics and the importance of curation in AI training. Discuss the consequences of neglecting proper oversight.

Thought for Students: The quality of an AI system depends on its training data. Be mindful of what you feed your algorithms.

Final Thoughts

AI has the power to revolutionize the workplace, but only if used wisely. These failures serve as reminders that humans must guide AI development. For educators, these stories are opportunities to prepare students for thoughtful, ethical, and informed AI use.

Remember: Mistakes aren’t the end—they’re a chance to learn. Equip your students to face AI challenges head-on and contribute to a better, smarter future.

Our new course, AI for the Workplace , helps educators and learners navigate this evolving landscape. This program provides an industry-recognized certificate and equips students with practical skills to harness AI as a versatile tool across various career paths, trades, and technologies. The course bridges the gap between understanding AI concepts and applying them effectively in real-world scenarios.

Want to learn more? Click here or call us at 913-764-4272 to schedule a free 20-minute demo of any of our courses and certifications.

Equipping Students to Work in the World of AI

Thu, 07 Nov 2024 14:44:58 GMT

CTeLearning is proud to introduce the AI for the Workplace Course and Certificate . The landscape of work is evolving at an unprecedented pace, and many individuals are struggling to keep up. AI is fundamentally transforming how we work. In the early days of computer science, proficiency in coding was essential to accomplish tasks. As technology advanced, applications emerged that allowed users to perform complex calculations without needing to write code, exemplified by tools like VisiCalc (the first commercially available spreadsheet).

Today, we are witnessing a similar shift. Just a year or two ago, interacting with AI often required technical knowledge to program the system. Now, AI tools enable users to communicate in natural language, making them more accessible. However, to maximize the effectiveness of these tools, individuals must excel in communication. Understanding how to craft effective prompts and engage in “prompt engineering” is crucial for guiding AI to deliver desired outcomes. Ultimately, the quality of your communication will determine your success with these technologies. Created in partnership with Web Professionals Global , the industry association for all things web, this course and certification prepares students for the future.

Certificate Overview

This course and certificate program does not focus on coding the next AI system. Instead, it emphasizes the importance of communication skills to achieve optimal results. For example, an entrepreneur may use AI to conduct a SWOT analysis of their business. In agribusiness, professionals might employ AI to analyze new regulations. An automotive technician could use AI to generate a resume and cover letter tailored to their ideal job. Marketers might leverage AI to brainstorm and organize strategies for new clients. Teachers can utilize AI to develop grading rubrics for project-based learning activities. Landscape designers may consult AI for plant selections in challenging environments. Construction contractors might rely on AI to create promotional materials as they pursue new certifications. Web designers can use AI to refine messaging for specific target audiences, while animators and game designers can enhance their creative processes with AI-generated script concepts and character backstory.

Success in the workplace has always required a combination of skills. Those with strong technical abilities are consistently in demand, but individuals who possess both technical and soft skills often ascend to leadership positions. The integration of AI into professional settings represents a new blend of these competencies, akin to coding but utilizing natural language to instruct AI on its tasks.

As the demand for effective communication with AI tools continues to rise, the AI for the Workplace Course and Certificate stands at the forefront of this transformation. This credential is designed to empower professionals across various industries and job levels to harness the full potential of AI. It is grounded in the latest research and offers tailored learning paths. Participants will not only gain theoretical knowledge but also practical skills in effective AI interaction. Upon completion, graduates will be well-equipped to leverage their new skills and certification in their chosen career paths.

Our course includes a tool called PromptScout, which gives your students access to a database of 5,360 editable prompts across 63 different industries. They can find, edit, and use these prompts in their favorite AI tool to generate any solution they need, offering students a firsthand look at how AI can support them in any career pathway.

This is a micro-credential course that can be completed in just over five hours of class time, making it an ideal enhancement to any career course or program of study. No prior experience with AI is needed for either the facilitator or the student. The self-directed learning is auto-graded and requires little to no prep time, and facilitator training is provided free of charge.

AI should primarily be viewed as a tool. For most of us, the future lies in leveraging AI to enhance productivity, foster creativity, and drive innovation across all aspects of our careers. While there is a notable push to train AI programmers to develop the next generation of AI systems, 99% of the broader workplace / work world/ jobs needs individuals who can seamlessly integrate AI tools into their workflows, utilizing these powerful capabilities to accelerate their work.

As employers seek to hire top talent, they are increasingly looking for individuals who can work quickly, efficiently, and accurately. Just as you would not trust a mechanic with your Tesla if their only tool was a sledgehammer, or allow a heart surgeon to operate on a loved one with only a saw, it is essential to equip yourself with the right skills and tools to thrive in today’s evolving workplace. The AI for the Workplace Certificate prepares learners to succeed in the modern world of AI, no matter what industry they are in.

Learn More

Reach out to us today to find out more about our brand new AI for the Workplace Course and Certificate by clicking here or calling us at 913-764-4272.

How Our New AI Tool EMILIA is Teaching Valuable Soft Skills to Students

Wed, 16 Oct 2024 20:10:25 GMT

Here at CTeLearning we are always seeking new ways to help teachers ensure their students succeed, both in the classroom and the real world. It is also the way we show that we are not trying to replace them with software and AI tools. Today, we are excited to introduce a new AI tool called EMILIA that will help students improve their communication skills. Over the next few weeks, EMILIA will be rolled out in all of our courses including our most popular ones– Web Design , Web and Mobile Video Game Design , and Web and Computer Animation .

Background

As many of our teachers know, we have been integrating Virtual Internship/Work-Based Experiences into our courses for over 20 years. We have continued to hone these products and expand them. We have fun creating immersive experiences that reinforce the technical skills the students are learning and give them the chance to apply the soft skills they will need in their future careers.

However, we always had a single frustration: no matter how hard we tried, we were never able to give the students (interns) the chance to have an authentic exchange with their “client.” That all changed recently, as we deployed EMILIA , an AI tool that allows your students to have a chat and ask questions of their client. Through the power of AI, students will be able to interact with their client by asking questions and receiving answers to better understand the client and project–just like the way it works in the real world.

EMILIA Overview

EMILIA is being rolled out in the Virtual Internship feature of our courses. The Virtual Internship, also referred to as the Practicum, allows students to get an idea of what it is like to work in the professional world by simulating the experience of working with a client as, for example, a new web designer. For example, students in the Web Design course are tasked with creating a website for a client. In order to build the best possible website for the client, students need to understand client needs, desires, interests and more.

The tool allows students to ask questions and receive responses from the client through email, enabling an ongoing dialogue that helps the student better understand the client and improve the website they have been tasked with creating. Not only does EMILIA allow students to interact with the client in real time, but it also provides them with immediate feedback on their communication skills. When students email their client, they will receive a score out of 10 that assesses their written communication as well as offers pointers for improvement. Criteria for the grade include spelling, grammar, punctuation, overall professionalism and more. Teachers also receive reports for each student based on their communications.

EMILIA is integrated into the project-based learning (PBL), which means that the students can engage with their simulated clients as part of the natural flow of the project and in context with their work–just like how it works in the real-world. By incorporating EMILIA we are giving the students enhanced opportunities to learn what it is like to “meet” a client, understand their goals and pain points, and create a better product for them. This equips students with the soft skills that are so essential in today’s economy and prepares them for their futures–whether they enter the workforce directly after high school or pursue higher education. Our teachers who have seen EMILIA in action expressed enthusiasm for how it can help improve the learning experience for students and free up time for teachers.

We have to be more clever to engage today’s learner. Integrating EMILIA gives us the opportunity to offer an open, genuine conversation with the client that is curated and helps to keep students and their projects pointed in the right direction. Through the process, students build a portfolio and a personal story of real world success they can share with teachers, parents, friends and future employers.

We are incorporating more AI tools in the classroom to enhance teaching and learning experiences. Every teacher faces challenges in providing students with real work-based learning opportunities. At the same time, live internships are harder to secure, and teachers are dealing with larger class sizes and increased preparation demands. Our goal is to ensure that our project-based learning curricula make things easier for teachers. One great advantage our teachers love is the Virtual Internship approach, which provides career readiness education through simulated work-based experiences. This allows every student, regardless of local industry support, the opportunity to have an internship, test drive a career pathway and experience the thrill of their future.

Your School Could Be Next

Interested in learning more about how we are harnessing the power of AI to improve STEM education with tools like EMILIA ? Click here or call us at 913-764-4272 to schedule a free 20-minute demo of any of our courses and certifications.

How CTeLearning is Helping One High School Prepare for NOCTI Assessments

Thu, 03 Oct 2024 20:24:54 GMT

One of our recent blog articles discussed our work with NOCTI, the nation's largest provider of industry-based credentials and partner industry certifications for CTE programs. Today we are highlighting how we are helping one of our teachers, Ian Kilpatrick, prepare his students for the NOCTI Web Design exams as he uses our Web Design curriculum . Ian teaches at the High School of Fashion Industries in Manhattan, New York City. For more about Ian and his students, check out this article we wrote last year .

Aligning to NOCTI

To make sure we were aligned to NOCTI, we updated our existing curriculum to meet the Standards and Competencies that make up the foundation for the written NOCTI exam. We then added new content modules to fill in certain areas, which ensures we are covering the necessary topics and content so that teachers using our curriculum can be confident they are preparing their students for written exam success. Next, we updated our performance assessment in which students have the opportunity to use a practicum that prepares them for each stage of the NOCTI assessment. This gives students the chance to practice the web design and development process to better prepare for the performance assessment.

Hear what Ian has to say about working with CTeLearning:

“The web design curriculum provided by CTeLearning was instrumental in preparing my students for the NOCTI Web Design exam. The team was incredibly responsive and quick to adjust the curriculum to better align with our specific needs, ensuring that the content directly supported the exam requirements.The comprehensive approach to teaching foundational concepts, combined with hands-on projects, has deepened students' understanding of web design principles while building their confidence in applying these skills in real-world scenarios.

Thanks to the clear, structured lessons and the emphasis on both creativity and technical proficiency, my students felt well-equipped and knowledgeable as they approached the NOCTI exam. This curriculum has truly laid a solid groundwork for their future careers in web design. I couldn't recommend it more highly!”

So what’s next for Ian? This year his school is taking advantage of several new courses as part of their senior capstone program. In this new capstone course, the students will earn two new certificates, Bootstrap 5 and Hybrid and Remote Working Professional (HRWP). Students build websites for live clients who may be fellow entrepreneurs in the fashion and business senior programs, for local startups or for mom and pop stores in their Brooklyn neighborhood. Regardless of who each student gets as their client, they will be practicing the technical and soft skills they learned from going through our Web Design course and preparing for their NOCTI written and performance exams. Throughout the Bootstrap 5 course, students gain skills in developing mobile-friendly sites and applications.

The HRWP certificate has sections on interviewing and freelancing to help students prepare for jobs that may not be 100% in-office. All of this helps students build their professional portfolios and add valuable certifications to their resumes for future educational and professional endeavors.

Learn More

Interested in learning more? Stay tuned for future articles about our work with NOCTI. And click here or call us at 913-764-4272 to schedule a free 20-minute demo of any of our courses and certifications.

Aligning Your Web Design Curriculum to NOCTI Standards

swaddell@ctelearning.com (Steve Waddell) — Sun, 22 Sep 2024 16:08:50 GMT

We are proud to announce that CTeLearning has officially joined the NOCTI Alignment Network. Our first alignment is to NOCTI’s Web Design Certification. Our Web Design Curriculum has been developed to support both the written and performance components of NOCTI’s Web Design assessment. This alignment is part of our ongoing commitment to developing courseware to support learners to prepare for and earn industry-based certifications (IBC) as part of building strong career and technical education (CTE) programs of study.

NOCTI Overview

NOCTI is the nation's largest provider of industry-based credentials and partner industry certifications for CTE programs across the nation. Since 1966, NOCTI has been producing assessments to help institutions verify essential skills for the future workforce. NOCTI provides curricular and instructional improvement tools for secondary and postsecondary institutions. In addition to over 100 industry-based credentials, NOCTI also works with customers to create customized solutions. Services include job and task analysis, assessment construction, assessment delivery, credentialing, score reporting, score interpretation, and digital badging. Nocti Business Solutions, a subsidiary of NOCTI, addresses the needs of business/industry by offering customized solutions to enhance workplace productivity.

How Did CTeLearning Get Involved With NOCTI?

First, we updated our existing curriculum to meet the Standards and Competencies that make up the foundation for the written NOCTI exam. We then added new content modules to fill in certain areas. This ensures we are covering the necessary topics and content so that teachers using our curriculum can be confident they are preparing their students for written exam success. Next, we updated our performance assessment in which students have the opportunity to use a practicum that prepares them for each of the stages of the NOCTI assessment. This gives students the chance to practice the web design and development process to better prepare for the performance assessment.

NOCTI Web Design

We chose to tackle the Web Design Credential by NOCTI first as we are heavily invested in helping the SkillsUSA Web Design and Development National competition. We look forward to going through the alignment process for curricula we have that align with existing NOCTI credentials.

How Do You Know if Your Curriculum is Aligned to NOCTI?

As a teacher, how do you make sure that the curriculum you are using is aligned to the NOCTI Web Design written and performance assessments? One way is to review the Assessment Blueprint and another is to look for the following NOCTI Alignment Network Member logo. This logo signifies that the organization has completed an independent alignment of its product(s) to NOCTI’s publicly available standards and competencies per NOCTI’s alignment guidelines.

Note: The use of this logo does not imply endorsement by NOCTI. In accordance with its ISO 17024 accreditation, NOCTI maintains a strict firewall between its assessments and any products labeled as preparation materials.

Interested in Learning More?

Stay tuned for future articles about our work with NOCTI. And click here or call us at 913-764-4272 to schedule a free 20-minute demo of any of our courses and certifications.

How CTeLearning is Helping Texas Schools With TEKS Standards (Part III)

Wed, 11 Sep 2024 19:20:10 GMT

This is the third and final article in our series about supporting Texas Schools with TEKS standards (you can find part I here and part II here ). Today we are highlighting our Web and Mobile Game Design course and certification , which meets the 126.48 Web Game Development TEKS standard in collaboration with our certification partner, Web Professionals Global , the international association for those who work in the world of the web. Currently, the state where we have certified the most Web and Mobile Game Designers in our schools is Texas. So, needless to say, we are proud of our Texas teachers and students.

Industry Trends

Web and mobile game design is a growing industry that isn’t going away anytime soon. By 2025, revenue for mobile games will be more than $138 billion and over 70% of Google Play revenue will be from mobile games. The game design industry in Texas is substantial and continues to grow. Texas has the second largest concentration of game studios in the U.S. with over 100 studios in Austin alone that contribute approximately $1 billion annually to the local economy. Other major hubs include Dallas-Fort Worth and Houston. Texas' vibrant game development scene is further fueled by the state’s role as a major center for mobile app development.

In terms of employment, game designers in Texas earn an average annual salary of about $88,140, with job opportunities spanning from indie studios to larger developers.

Course Overview

Our curriculum exposes your students to this exciting career pathway and shows them the opportunities that exist in the industry. The project-based learning approach guides students to earning their first international industry-recognized certifications. They learn critical STEM skills, develop confidence, and build a college- and career-ready portfolio.

Thanks to our industry partnership, students have the option of obtaining a third-party international industry-recognized certification in web game design. This certification is free to schools and students thanks to a unique sponsorship program. As students naturally progress through the course by completing lessons and projects, they also meet the certification’s industry requirements. At the end of the course, students have the option of registering and receiving their new industry-recognized credentials. This is an exciting introduction and a great first step for students to become future-ready for advanced education or a promising career path.

The new Boaring Game in the course was inspired by the feral pigs in Texas. This game module is essentially a game development code a long, so that students can see the complete game design and development journey to bring a game to market. The game has quickly become a favorite in and out of Texas.

For the 2024-2025 school year, we added several new features to the Web and Mobile Game Design course:

Critical Thinking in the Workplace

This module allows students to earn a resume-building certificate sponsored by a professional association. This lesson set was developed in collaboration with Web Professionals Global. As a development team, we hear from educators and employers about the struggles they face in the classroom and workplace. One of the most common issues is students and recent grads who struggle with critical thinking. Critical thinking impacts work ethic and decision-making in both the classroom and the workplace. It's essential for analyzing facts, situations, statements, and media reports. These lessons focus on teaching students how to think on their own and analyze what they see and hear. Thinking critically allows students to learn how the right mindset can de-escalate verbal conflicts and move the conversation to fact-based discussions rather than personal attacks. If we are to truly teach problem solving, we must first engage with critical thinking. The initial feedback we have heard from teachers is that we have hit the nail on the head of this common problem.

Color Theory and Accessibility

It is so easy to forget just how powerful color is in our lives, and how color can be used to help our clients with their messaging to their target audience. In this exciting module, students learn how far back color theory goes. They learn that even Sir Issac Newton had a hand in shaping what we now think of as modern color theory. As a global society, color theory becomes increasingly important as different cultures see and use specific colors to mean different things. As professional designers, how we use color can help our clients grow their businesses or do irreparable damage. This set of lessons helps students develop professional portfolios that are global-ready and demonstrate that they understand international-based design. Color theory is crucial to designs that meet and exceed accessibility standards, helping design clients reach broader markets and avoid costly legal issues.

Typography with Accessibility

Typography is a crucial design element that profoundly impacts user experience. Whether designing a personal blog, e-commerce site, or corporate portfolio, text appearance affects readability, brand perception, and overall aesthetics. This lesson module covers key typographic terminology, highlights the importance of typography in web design, and shows how different styles can transform your client’s website. Students learn to choose and pair fonts effectively, make text stand out without overwhelming readers, and apply typographic scales and line spacing for mobile devices. Good typography supports accessibility and aligns with WCAG standards, ensuring that content is accessible to all users. The skills gained are invaluable for creating engaging, accessible, and professional digital experiences across all design, marketing, and development fields.

Take the Next Step

Check out this article and this article for testimonials from schools in Plainview and Sadler on the impact our curriculum is making in the classroom. And click here or call us at 913-764-4272 to schedule a free 20-minute demo with a member of our development team. We would love to help your school join our community of Texas schools that are giving their students the opportunity to explore web and mobile game design and other in-demand STEM careers.

How CTeLearning is Helping Texas Schools With TEKS Standards (Part II)

Tue, 27 Aug 2024 15:26:08 GMT

Recently we published an article outlining our work with Texas schools to meet specific Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) standards in the classroom. Today we are highlighting our Web and Computer Animation course and certification , which meets the 130.83 Animation TEKS standard. Let’s take a look.

Course Overview

Animation for the web is a simple and fun way to introduce the STEM career of animation. Business educators love the marketing emphasis integrated into real-world projects. “Tools of the Trade” media-rich tutorials focus on understanding animation concepts and creative principles as well as using the tools and technology professional animators use every day. Portfolio-building projects and optional international industry-recognized certification enhance students’ marketable skills, college preparation, career readiness, and hireability.

Our approach has your students living the life of a new hire at an animation studio. Crafted within this interactive career-simulation, students meet their boss, co-workers, and clients. They get emails, text messages, and voicemails as they live and apply the design process to solve problems and create solutions for their customers. Through this uniquely designed career-themed course, students gain valuable experience with animation creation and design software in making animations for the web.

This highly interactive and hands-on course guides students through the thrilling process of creating their own animated shorts. Tutorials, videos, and animations guide students through every stage of animation creation, and they also hear from industry professionals along the way. Students learn critical STEM skills, grow their talents, develop confidence, and build a college and career portfolio they can use to show off their new abilities in this always in-demand STEM field.

For the 2024-2025 school year, we added several new features to the Web and Computer Animation course:

Critical Thinking in the Workplace

This module allows students to earn a resume-building certificate sponsored by a professional association. This lesson set was developed in collaboration with Web Professionals Global , our industry partner that develops and backs the industry certificates offered in CTeLearning courses. As a development team, we hear from educators and employers about the struggles they face in the classroom and workplace. One of the most common issues is students and recent grads who struggle with critical thinking. Critical thinking impacts work ethic and decision-making in both the classroom and the workplace. It's essential for analyzing facts, situations, statements, and media reports. These lessons focus on teaching students how to think on their own and analyze what they see and hear. Thinking critically allows students to learn how the right mindset can de-escalate verbal conflicts and move the conversation to fact-based discussions rather than personal attacks. If we are to truly teach problem solving, we must first engage with critical thinking. The initial feedback we have heard from teachers is that we have hit the nail on the head of this common problem.

Color Theory and Accessibility

Your School Could Be Next

Check out this article on how we are working with a high school in Manor, TX to equip the next generation of animators. And click here or call us at 913-764-4272 to schedule a free 20-minute demo with a member of our development team. We would love to help your school join our community of Texas schools that are giving their students the opportunity to explore web and computer animation and other in-demand STEM careers.

How CTeLearning is Helping Texas Schools With TEKS Standards (Part I)

Thu, 15 Aug 2024 19:50:58 GMT

We are fortunate to have so many Texas CTE programs working with us here at CTeLearning. We have a number of schools using our courses including Web Design , Web Animation , and Web and Mobile Video Game Design . Today we are taking a look at the Web Design course and certification and why our customers love how it aligns with Texas educational standards to put students on the path to success.

BTW - High employment regions for web designers include California, New York, Illinois, Texas , and Florida, offering employment rates 20-25% higher than the national average.

The Web Design course (like the Web Animation and Web and Mobile Video Game Design courses) were spun out several years ago from our original Web Technologies course. We created these new courses to be able to meet specific Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) standards (TEKS 126.47 for the Web Design course) to show our support for our Texas educators and take advantage of the feedback they give us to better align to their state needs.

For anyone not familiar with Texas, TEKS are the state standards for what students should know and be able to do in each subject and grade level. The Texas State Board of Education (SBOE) has the authority to adopt the TEKS for each subject of curricula. We know not every company takes the time to align their curricula to the TEKS. We find the Texas standards very useful in our development and ongoing updates. Finding quality curricula can be difficult, and it is just one of the many reasons our administrators and teachers continue to work with us year after year.

Our course is designed to support you in preparing your students for the NOCTI Web Design certification, including both the written and performance assessments. The Web Design - Job Ready certification is listed on the TEA 2022-2024 IBC List for Public School Accountability.

The course meets the TEKS 126.47 standard through the industry-based certification (IBC) opportunity we offer to students. Through our partnership with Web Professional Global , the industry association for all careers related to the web, learners can earn their Web Design certification as they progress through the course and build real-world projects.

Course Overview

Our Web Design career curriculum is a media-rich and highly interactive hands-on course. We created over 200 tutorial videos to guide your students through coding and teach them how to use HTML5 and CSS3 to build websites from scratch. Over fifty individual expert videos coach students through the broader concepts of aesthetics, design, typography, accessibility, color theory, security, content development and managing a web design team. Throughout the course, we engage them with the technical skills they need to make high-performing sites. The course features interviews with working professionals to give real-world perspective to students about putting skills to use in an industry context. And our teachers know that we continue to offer our legendary customer support, as our developers are just a phone call away for any questions you may have.

Students also earn two industry certificates as they progress through the curriculum, both of which are terrific resume builders and add depth to your student portfolio. The Ethics in the Workplace module and certificate teaches students core lessons to be ethical working professionals. And for the fall of 2024, we added the Critical Thinking in the Workplace module and certificate. This was in response to what we have heard from our teachers and industry advisors who shared that they were seeing students struggle with critical thinking, problem solving, and being able to argue their position without resorting to verbal fighting.

Our lead developer, Steve Waddell, has helped support the Texas SkillsUSA program with their Web Design and Development competition for the past several years. This state competition, like competitions in other states around the country, offers awardees the opportunity to compete at the national SkillsUSA National Leadership & Skills Conference that is held in Atlanta, GA every June.

Contact us Today

Are you ready to introduce your Texas students to the growing world of web design? Our Web Design course is an exciting introduction to future educational and professional opportunities in the world of the web. Web design isn’t going anywhere anytime soon, and now is the perfect time to show your students how fun it is to design websites like the ones they use everyday.

Contact a member of our development team today by clicking here or calling us at 913-764-4272 for a free, no-pressure demo of any of our courses. If you are in a state other than Texas, ask us about how our courses align with other state standards. And stay tuned for future articles on our Web Animation course and Web and Mobile Game Design course. We are excited for another great year serving our teachers and students.

Introducing Our Course Updates for 2024-2025

Wed, 07 Aug 2024 19:57:38 GMT

In August of every year we like to inform our readers about the course updates we have been working on for the upcoming school year. For the 2024-2025 school year, we have been hard at work on a number of updates for some of our most popular courses . This includes a major revamp of the first course we ever released, which has been in high demand in recent years. Let’s take a look.

Web Design

Typography with Accessibility

Typography is a crucial design element that profoundly impacts user experience. Whether designing a personal blog, e-commerce site, or corporate portfolio, text appearance affects readability, brand perception, and overall aesthetics. This lesson module covers key typographic terminology, highlights the importance of typography in web design, and shows how different styles can transform your client’s website. Students learn to choose and pair fonts effectively, make text stand out without overwhelming readers, and apply typographic scales and line spacing for mobile devices. Good typography supports accessibility and aligns with WCAG standards, ensuring that content is accessible to all users. The skills gained will be invaluable for creating engaging, accessible, and professional digital experiences across all design, marketing, and development fields.

Critical Thinking in the Workplace

This module allows students to earn a resume-building certificate sponsored by a professional association. This lesson set was developed in collaboration with Web Professionals Global , our industry partner that develops and backs the industry certificates offered in CTeLearning courses. As a development team, we hear from educators and employers about the struggles they face in the classroom and workplace. One of the most common issues is students and recent grads who struggle with critical thinking. Critical thinking impacts work ethic and decision-making in both the classroom and the workplace. It's essential for analyzing facts, situations, statements, and media reports. These lessons focus on teaching students how to think on their own and analyze what they see and hear. Thinking critically allows students to learn how the right mindset can de-escalate verbal conflicts and move the conversation to fact-based discussions rather than personal attacks. If we are to truly teach problem solving, we must first engage with critical thinking. The initial feedback we have heard from teachers is that we have hit the nail on the head of this common problem.

Color Theory and Accessibility

It is so easy to forget just how powerful color is in our lives, and how color can be used to help our clients with their messaging to their target audience. In this exciting module, students will learn how far back color theory goes. They will learn that even Sir Issac Newton had a hand in shaping what we now think of as modern color theory. As a global society, color theory becomes increasingly important as different cultures see and use specific colors to mean different things. As professional designers, how we use color can help our clients grow their businesses or do irreparable damage. This set of lessons will help students develop professional portfolios that are global-ready and demonstrate that they understand international-based design. Color theory is crucial to designs that meet and exceed accessibility standards, helping design clients reach broader markets and avoid costly legal issues.

Introduction to Browsers, Protocols and Security

We had several teachers express a desire to better introduce their web design students to the process of how data is delivered to users. In this set of lessons, students learn about domains and how they are hosted. They will explore the fundamentals of browsers and web protocols such as HTTPS, TCP/IP, FTP, FTPS, and POP3. Additionally, students will understand how DNS allows people to locate their clients' domains from anywhere in the world. The lessons also cover important security concepts, including SSL, firewalls, virus protection, malware defense, and rootkit safeguards.

Horticulture and Sustainable Landscape Design

This fall, we will also reveal our revamped Horticulture and Sustainable Landscape Design course. Some of our customers will remember that the original version of this course was the first of our courses to hit the market followed by our AI and Mobile Robotics and our Coding and 3D Video game design curricula. The Horticulture and Sustainable Landscape Design course has been updated regularly over its 20 years of existence. However this year brings the biggest update ever with a complete revamp and many new lesson modules. As always, these updates are guided by our conversations with and feedback from our teachers. We have updated our sections on plants, soils science, nursery, design concepts, etc. It would be too much to list out all the updates, but here are some of the major new additions to the course: Intro to Urban Agriculture, Edible Landscapes, Medicinal Landscapes, Trees and Arboriculture, Design and Sketching, and Introduction to 3D CAD Best Practices. The release date for the Horticulture and Sustainable Landscape Design curriculum is Labor Day 2024.

Web and Mobile Game Design

The new color theory lessons are added to the curriculum and with it the opportunity for your students to earn the Critical Thinking in the Workplace certificate from Web Professionals Global. We had some students request a deeper dive into how to create a game from scratch, so we added the Boaring Game. This is a fun and engaging game that takes students through all the aspects of how a mobile game works. Students do a “code a long” and build the game as they learn what it takes to go from zero to an actual game.

Hybrid and Remote Working Professional

The rise of hybrid work–a flexible model that allows employees to work a schedule that involves days in the office as well as days at home–prompted us to update our Remote Working Professional course. Now known as the Hybrid and Remote Working Professional course, this curriculum built on lessons teaching learners how to be successful working at home and incorporated new lessons on how to succeed as a hybrid worker. The course prepares learners to be ready for the ever-changing world of work once they graduate and move into the professional world, giving them an edge over other job seekers who may not be as prepared for work arrangements outside of the traditional 9-5 in-office schedule.

Curriculum-Wide Updates

Enhanced Teacher Classroom Control

Along with our course updates, we also updated how teachers control student curriculum flow, pacing, onboarding and overall class management. We also have updated our teacher classroom management tutorials. These changes are all thanks to feedback from our wonderful teachers, administrators and their students who help us continue to make things better.

Updated Support

This is really a shameless plug for our legendary teacher support. All our team members, some more shy than others, enjoy knowing that our work matters. One of the best ways to hear about the impact of our work is by getting to know our teachers who are using our curriculum in their classrooms. We regularly chat with our teachers to hear about how we can deliver an even greater impact in the classroom. We are proud that CTeLearning has always supported teachers directly, and any teacher at any time can reach a member of the development team directly through a phone call or email. Since we are the creators and curators of the curriculum content, who better to help a teacher? So, in summary, there are no updates to our style of support‒just reaffirming our commitment to be there to help.

Closing Thoughts

All of our courses have been updated for 2024-205, but these courses are the ones that received some extra attention this year. Why don’t all our courses get major updates each year? Well, that is an easy question to answer. Our existing customers know that we update our courses on a regular basis throughout the year. This comes as a benefit of having great relationships with our teachers. If we see something that needs to be fixed we fix it. If we see something we can add, such as a new lesson, new piece of content, new video, etc. that makes things better for the teacher and students, then we do it right then and there. We have a flat organization with no bureaucracy. So each year, by the time we go into our update season (April - Aug), most of the fixes needed are already done. Therefore, this update season really is about finishing off development we have been working on all year. Now you know a bit about our development philosophy and how we keep our development team connected directly to those we serve‒the teachers and by extension the students.

We are always thrilled to work with new teachers and students to introduce them to our exciting STEM courseware. Are you interested in learning more and seeing a free demonstration of these courses or any of our other courses ? Connect with a member of our development team today by clicking here or calling us at 913-764-4272.

Recapping the 2024 SkillsUSA National Web Design and Development Conference

Wed, 10 Jul 2024 16:40:20 GMT

Our founder and lead developer, Steve Waddell, recently returned from the 2024 SkillsUSA National Leadership & Skills Conference that took place in Atlanta, GA at the Georgia World Congress Center from June 24-28. Steve has been helping Web Professionals Global administer the Web Design and Development competition in various capacities since 2005 and in person since 2013.

Steve was part of a team that included other web professionals who are passionate about helping students develop their skills and compete at the national competition. The team, led by CTeLearning curriculum partner Web Professionals Global, also helped a number of states administer their state Web Design and Development competitions in the months leading up to the national competition.

Competition Overview

For those not familiar with how the SkillsUSA National Web Design and Development competition operates, the guidelines were as follows: Teams of two completed a series of challenges focusing on creating a website for a client and a specific target audience. Judging focused on meeting the client's needs, usability and accessibility, and industry-standard best practices. Teams were evaluated on the process they used to meet the challenges and how well they worked as a team. Teams used the internet to access all competition materials (including the coding environment).

This year's main project was to build a website for a new non-profit organization embarking on a project building small studio homes for the homeless and struggling veterans. The design teams not only had to create the website but also take the organization’s logo, images and story and bring them to life on the web to help generate support and get the message out to the greater community. The competitors had the opportunity to interview the client, asking questions about the project vision and target audience.

The Web Professionals Global Organization SkillsUSA team provided the students with not only a competitive environment to test their technical skills but also real-world training from real-world professionals and networking opportunities.

The competition was divided into the following days:

Monday, June 24

Mark, Executive Director of Web Professionals Global, arrived late Sunday and worked with Courtesy Corps to get the tables set up and covered with paper for the competition. He also tested the wireless environment as best he could prior to the stress test of numerous teams on Wednesday.

Tuesday, June 25

Competitors took an online exam to verify their knowledge concerning web technologies (HTML, CSS, JavaScript, for example). Each team had one hour to complete the exam. We held a mandatory training session where we reviewed the online coding environment and how to use it. The competition was discussed and the teams were read passages from the book of wisdom, a collection of past common mistakes teams make that serve as a cautionary tale of what not to do over the next two days. Additionally, we hosted a panel discussion with Dan and Tammy (both practicing web professionals) to help competitors better understand the current landscape and job opportunities. AI was discussed at length and competitors developed a better understanding of how this is presently being incorporated into work flows.

Wednesday, June 26

The secondary (high school) competition was held on Wednesday. Competitors were presented with client assets (often oversized images or in the wrong format) along with a back story of the client. Teams were introduced to the client and had the opportunity to ask questions of the client as a group. Each team was asked to develop their own process and low fidelity wireframes to address the business problems brought by the client. Once the team had completed their wireframes, they were asked to place those aside and they were given more professionally developed low fidelity wireframes for multiple pages. This is what they were asked to implement as a solution in a website (with multiple pages). Each team was also interviewed and was asked separately (by other web professionals) to describe their process and explain how they developed the wireframes they made.

Thursday, June 27

The post-secondary (college) competition was held on Thursday. Competitors were provided with similar materials and a similar approach to creating the websites. Teams were introduced to the client and had the opportunity to ask questions of the client as a group. It was interesting to see the slight differences in the questions asked by the post-secondary teams vs. the secondary on the previous day. After this competition ended, both secondary and post-secondary teams were invited to a debriefing session held in a different room. Competitors were asked to provide feedback regarding improvements they would like to see in future competitions. Judge comments were also reviewed in general to help competitors better understand what judges saw (and how they might improve on their processes as well as tips for better interviewing in the future). Scores were submitted by 9 p.m.

Friday, June 28

The event wrapped up Friday night with the awards ceremony held in the State Farm Arena. Gold, silver, and bronze medals were awarded to teams at both the secondary and post-secondary levels. Roughly 17,000 individuals were present in the arena to witness the awarding of medals. There were 115 separate competitions with roughly 6,700 competitors this year. We understand that is the largest number of competitions and competitors in the history of SkillsUSA.

Steve had this to say about the experience: “This year we had the largest number of web professionals helping us with the event than ever before. In the past, we have always scrambled to wear many hats to make sure the competition ran smoothly. However, this year we had three new people join our event team. Tammy, Dan and Na'Im were there for the whole event along with four regulars: Mark, David, Bryce and myself. This year we were missing Jonathan, who took a break to spend time with his two-week old daughter—big congratulations to Jonathan and his family. The competitors once again brought their A-games and the quality of their work speaks well for their futures and the future of the web design industry as a whole. The SkillsUSA national team was terrific as always and everyone should put it on their bucket list to attend the final award ceremony at least once in their lives. I so much appreciate all of our team who showed up and helped Web Professionals Global put on this competition. Also, shout-out to the SkillsUSA advisors and competitors' parents who worked so hard to make the trip to Atlanta happen and for their sacrifice of time and money.”

Competition Winners

High School

Gold: Rhys J./Steven S., Meridian Technical Charter High School, Meridian, ID

Silver: Leah S./Tyler C., Barren County Area Technology Center, Glasgow, KY

Bronze: Alexander R./Ethan D., Dover Area High School, Dover, PA

College

Gold: Chloe G./Zachery S., Ozarks Technical Community College, Springfield, MO

Silver: Sam T./Caeden S., Southern Adventist University, Collegedale, TN

Bronze: Kenli S./Yan D., Northwest Kansas Technical College, Goodland, KS

Stay tuned for future articles from us with more details about the week in Atlanta.

Horticulture and Sustainable Landscape Design Course Updates for 2024-2025

Fri, 07 Jun 2024 19:45:29 GMT

Today we are taking a look at our Horticulture and Sustainable Landscape Design course, which we are updating for the 2024-2025 school year. Landscape design and horticulture is a big business and a great STEM career option for students. This industry has always been a place for those who love nature, design, and working outdoors. We are excited to offer students brand-new features that will introduce them to this exciting career pathway.

Horticulture is the science and art of the development, sustainable production, marketing and use of high-value, intensively cultivated food and ornamental plants. According to the latest research, the horticulture market, valued at $31.5 billion in 2022, is expected to grow to reach $54.1 billion by 2030. The landscape design industry, which includes landscape maintenance, lawn care, pest management, irrigation and water management, arboreal services, hardscapes, and landscape design and construction for both residential and commercial properties, is currently valued at $153.5 billion and that number is only expected to grow.

Sustainability isn’t just a buzzword but an important concept to help clients build outdoor spaces that are long-lasting, budget-friendly and require minimal maintenance. Industry best practices include smart plant choices that keep water usage, maintenance cost and chemical use to a minimum.

Course Overview

If you are looking for a STEM-rich curriculum for students who love nature, working with their hands, and want to make the world a more beautiful and healthier place, our Horticulture and Landscape Design course is for you.

Horticulture and landscape design is a blend of science and art. Throughout the course, students create stunning and sustainable designs for clients. They learn how to make optimal plant choices, predict and model plant growth, and test the impact of year-round sun, shade, and water usage. Through interactive tutorials, they learn plant science and soil science that they can apply to the design decisions of the current project.

Your students learn that design is not just about creating solutions but also about the ability to communicate and sell their ideas. Interactive tutorials teach them 2D/3D sketching and drafting skills as well as how to create plans tailored to their clients' needs. Optional tutorials can help you incorporate 3D CAD, although students can complete the course without diving into this section. They practice creating detailed documentation and plans to accurately communicate the implementation of their creative vision. In the real world designers always work within constraints, and your students learn how to source materials, analyze labor costs, and stay on budget. Throughout the course, they learn presentation skills and how to sell their ideas.

Our course is delivered as a "Virtual Apprenticeship," a project-based learning experience that simulates a real workplace, complete with meetings, co-workers, a supervisor, and customers. Students gain industry insights and explore careers through interviews with industry experts. By the end of the course, students will have a career-ready portfolio of design projects and an understanding of how to succeed in a landscape design career.

The course comes with several certificate opportunities for students. First, they will receive a course completion certificate, documenting achievement in this career-focused course. Additionally, they have the opportunity to earn two career preparation certificates: Ethics in the Workplace and Critical Thinking in the Workplace. Both of these certificates are valuable resume and portfolio builders, highlighting key characteristics that employers seek. The course allows students the freedom to work at their own pace, but they must complete the course projects and activities as assigned prior to getting authorized to sit for the final certificate exam.

As with all of our courses, you, the educator, are in control. You can use the whole curriculum as the course, or you can curate what projects and tutorials to use and when to blend our content with your own activities.

2024-2025 Update Highlights

Five unique projects that incorporate the Virtual Apprenticeship are included: Curb Appeal, Retirees, Hospital Courtyard, Urban Park, and the Challenge Project:
Curb Appeal – Your students' first virtual apprenticeship project involves assisting a home builder in creating sustainable landscape designs that add curb appeal to his new homes. These must not only add value, but need to be seen by the potential homeowners as sustainable, low maintenance, attractive and with low water requirements.
Retirees – Two recent retirees want to transform their backyard into an accessible outdoor living space for their family. The space must accommodate for a new medical diagnosis.
Hospital Courtyard – A hospital needs help to design a family-friendly space for the hospital's new memory care unit, promoting family interaction and support for cognitively challenged patients.
Urban Park – A non-profit needs help to design a new community space on a vacant urban lot, transforming blight into a park representing a vibrant community.
Challenge Project – Your students find a live project on their own where they must enhance property value and curb appeal, using their design skills for families, churches, local businesses, or schools.
New and updated interactive tutorials include:
Integrated Pest Management
Plant Science
Soil Science
Urban Agriculture
Nursery and Greenhouse Practices
Edible Landscapes and Foodscaping
Medicinal Landscapes
Design Concepts, Styles and Trends
2D Sketching and Drafting
3D CAD Tutorials (Optional)
Trees and Arboriculture
Sustainable Landscapes, Water Management and Xeriscaping
Budgeting, Planning and Project Management
Ethics in the Workplace Certificate
Critical Thinking in the Workplace Certificate
New Landscape Designer Mobile Web App

Like all of our courses, this course is PC, Mac, and Chromebook ready. There is nothing your students will need to download. As our clients know, our legendary teacher support is at the core of what we do. When teachers have a question, they call members of our development team directly to receive guidance.

Contact Us For a Free Demo

Interested in learning more and seeing a free demonstration of the course or any of our other courses ? Contact us today by clicking here or calling us at 913-764-4272.

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

Sat, 25 May 2024 02:31:20 GMT

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. Click here or call us at 913-764-4272 to learn how your state can take advantage of our solution next year.

Why More Schools are Embracing Career and Technical Education

Thu, 25 Apr 2024 21:52:37 GMT

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.

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?

Mon, 18 Mar 2024 15:41:58 GMT

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 .

Teacher Gets High School Students Excited About Video Game Design Curriculum

Fri, 08 Mar 2024 15:28:56 GMT

Today we are highlighting one of our schools, Plainview High School in Plainview, TX. Araceli is teaching our Web and Mobile Game Design course to her class and enjoying the success of her success. Our teachers and students love this course for its hands-on and innovative approach. Through a media-rich and engaging educational environment, we are helping to equip students with the skills, knowledge and project portfolios to enter the rapidly growing career path that is mobile game design. And our partnership with Web Professionals Global enables students to earn real-world certifications that are created and backed by industry professionals.

We caught up with one of Araceli’s students, Jonathan, who says the Web and Mobile Game course is his favorite. We also chatted with Araceli to hear about her experience teaching the course.

Hear from Jonathan

What do you like about the Web and Mobile Game Design course?

It gives me a space to learn more about my interests and further my skills in this career path.

What have been some of your favorite projects in the course so far?

I like the text adventure game (if the 50-ish slides weren’t answer enough) and the bunny hop challenge.

How does it feel knowing you are not only learning but also earning an industry certification that you can use for your future educational and professional career?

It feels great to know that I now have this under my belt and I can use this to garner a career in the future.

What do you think about the fact that you are creating a professional portfolio that demonstrates your skills?

I like it and look forward to using these skills in a real life situation, especially with the games I have cooking up in my mind.

What do you like about collaborating with your classmates and providing help and feedback to one another?

Well me and my friend Matthew really encourage each other and sometimes have friendly competitions, although he usually wins.

How have you enjoyed the course’s focus on not only technical skills but also soft skills like ethics?

I have, it’s very refreshing to have a course that’s not mainly focused on one aspect of game design, it’s a very broad subject.

What have your friends said when you showed them the games you have created?

My friends are fascinated by the creativity and imagination I am allowed to incorporate into these games.

How important do you think it will be to your career and future that you have been a part of a class that is helping you to become a well-rounded professional (not just technically skilled but also strong in soft skills and leadership)?

I think it’s very important to have these skills because it opens up doors to future careers and important opportunities ahead in your lifetime.

You learned about a number of different career paths that make up web and mobile game design other than game designer ‒ what other career paths piqued your interest?

I personally thought that being a game producer or an executive overseer could be interesting. I’m just a creative person in general and anything storytelling or of that sort is where my happy place is.

What would you say to other students who are considering taking this course?

If this is something that interests you or you plan on having a career in this field, then I’d say go for it. This program has taught me so much about the artistry side and a little coding. Overall the payoff here is worth it.

What would you like to say to the administrators, principal and your teacher who made this class possible for you?

I’d like to say thanks. I've had so much fun in this class and it was a great experience all around.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

I would like to tell any kids out there who are thinking about a career in game development or anything of the sorts not to let anyone discourage you. It’s not “dumb” or fruitless, it’s a passion and if this truly makes you happy, don’t let anyone take that happiness from you.

Hear from Araceli

How has your experience been working with CTeLearning?

I had been using a very well-known program last year. In comparison, CTeLearning is more user-friendly.

What do you like about the fact that the curriculum is turn-key and enables teachers to start teaching on day one?

The step-by-step videos make it easy for the students to do their assignments on day one.

How do you feel seeing students grow in their ability to be critical thinkers and think like coders/designers?

As time has gone by I have seen their creativity grow. They realize the industry isn’t easy but it’s feasible.

How does it feel knowing you are equipping your students with industry-recognized certifications that they can take with them in their careers?

I am excited not only for the kids but for their parents as well. They are utilizing this course not only to graduate but to put them in a better position after high school.

Do you like knowing you are helping your students learn soft skills like ethics in the workplace?

There are skills that we don’t realize they need. If we equip them with beginner skills, they will be off to a great start.

What would your advice be to other teachers who are considering using CTeLearning curriculum in their classroom?

It is a great program with a great staff that will go above and beyond to make you and your students successful.

Wrap-Up

We work with schools to offer curriculum with third party industry-based certifications in Web and Mobile Game Design, Animation, Web Design, AI and Robotics and more. Check out our full list of courses and schedule your free demo here or by calling us at 913-764-4272.

2024 Web and Mobile Game Design Career Infographic for Educators

Wed, 06 Mar 2024 21:42:27 GMT

Currently, there are approximately 500,000 mobile gaming apps available on Android platforms. The average age of mobile gamers stands at 36.3 years, indicating a broad demographic appeal.

The Opportunity

Beyond career prospects, game design enhances problem-solving and critical thinking skills, offering continuous learning opportunities and transferable skills applicable across diverse fields.

Educators are encouraged to guide students towards this high-growth pathway, unlocking doors to successful and fulfilling careers in web and mobile game design.

Check out our Web and Mobile Video Game Design course and contact us for a free demo.

The Importance of Career and Technical Education

swaddell@ctelearning.com (Steve Waddell) — Fri, 01 Mar 2024 21:04:58 GMT

In today's rapidly evolving world, the traditional model of education faces increasing scrutiny for its effectiveness in preparing students for the workforce. While the education system emphasizes subjects like history, math, and science, many students find themselves ill-equipped to navigate the complexities of the job market upon graduation. Many students enrolled in bachelor’s degree programs end up changing their majors, some multiple times, highlighting a fundamental disconnect between classroom learning and real-world career opportunities. This discrepancy often stems from a lack of hands-on career exploration during high school, leaving students uncertain about their future paths and increasing the likelihood of needing to make course corrections down the line.

At CTeLearning, we specialize in offering a diverse array of career and technical education (CTE) courses to address these challenges. Unlike traditional education, which primarily focuses on academic knowledge, CTE is built around the premise of providing students with practical, hands-on experiences tailored to specific career pathways. By immersing students in industry-relevant coursework, CTE aims to bridge the gap between education and employment, equipping learners with the skills and insights needed to thrive in the workforce. Our courses equip schools to offer engaging CTE curricula to their students and expose them to exciting possible career pathways. Let’s look at the importance of offering CTE curricula in middle schools and high schools.

Experiential Learning

One of the defining features of CTE is its emphasis on experiential learning. Instead of relying solely on textbooks and lectures, CTE programs offer students opportunities to engage directly with industry professionals, explore workplace environments, and gain firsthand experience in their chosen fields. This hands-on approach not only enhances learning retention but also allows students to develop a deeper understanding of how theoretical concepts apply in real-world settings. Our curricula enable students to learn at their own pace while building real-world projects.

Test-Driving a Career

CTE instructors often bring valuable industry experience to the classroom, having worked as professionals in their respective fields before transitioning to teaching. This firsthand knowledge not only enriches the learning experience but also provides students with valuable insights into industry trends, best practices, and career pathways. By learning from practitioners who have navigated the challenges and opportunities within their fields, students gain a more comprehensive understanding of what to expect in their future careers. The CTeLearning team is made up of individuals who have worked in industry, and we work directly with professionals in various industries to contribute to our courses.

Recognizing the importance of early career exploration, policymakers have increasingly focused on integrating CTE into middle school curricula. The Perkins V Act, for instance, allocates funding to support career exploration initiatives in most states, ensuring that students have access to resources for discovering and assessing potential career paths at an early age. By introducing career exploration in middle school, students can begin to identify their interests, strengths, and career goals, laying the foundation for informed decision-making in high school and beyond.

The impact of CTE on students' career readiness is evident in the high levels of satisfaction reported by families with students enrolled in CTE programs. Nearly 85% of families express satisfaction with the career exploration opportunities provided by CTE, a stark contrast to the 54% satisfaction rate reported by families considering traditional education pathways. This widespread approval underscores the effectiveness of CTE in guiding students towards meaningful career pathways aligned with their interests and aspirations.

Improving Graduation Rates

Research indicates that CTE programs contribute to improved high school graduation rates. Students enrolled in CTE courses demonstrate higher on-time graduation rates compared to their peers, with CTE concentrators being 7% more likely to graduate from high school on time. This positive correlation between CTE participation and graduation rates underscores the importance of hands-on, practical learning experiences in keeping students engaged and invested in their education. By offering relevance and applicability, CTE motivates students to stay on track towards graduation, thereby reducing dropout rates and ensuring greater academic success. Our students work on real-world projects and earn certifications that they are excited to take with them in their futures.

Closing the Skills Gap

CTE also plays a crucial role in closing the skills gap prevalent in various industries across the United States and the globe. As the economy continues to evolve and embrace new technologies, there is a growing demand for skilled professionals in emerging fields such as Ai and robotics. CTE programs address this demand by equipping students with the technical expertise and industry-recognized certifications needed to succeed in high-demand occupations. By aligning curriculum with workforce needs, CTE ensures that graduates are well-prepared to meet the evolving demands of the job market, thereby driving economic growth and competitiveness.

Emphasizing Soft Skills

CTE emphasizes the development of soft skills alongside technical proficiency, further enhancing graduates' employability and adaptability in an ever-changing job market. In our courses, we teach skills such as critical thinking, collaboration, communication, and time management through project-based learning, teamwork, and real-world problem-solving exercises. These soft skills, often referred to as "21st-century skills," are highly valued by employers and are essential for success in any career path. By integrating soft skills development into our curriculum, we are helping to ensure that graduates are not only proficient in their chosen fields but also possess the interpersonal and problem-solving abilities needed to excel in diverse workplace environments.

Keeping up With Industry Changes

As the employment landscape continues to evolve in response to technological advancements and global trends, CTE remains adaptable and responsive to changing workforce needs. By incorporating cutting-edge technologies and industry-relevant practices into its curriculum, CTE ensures that students are equipped with the skills and knowledge needed to thrive in the digital age. Whether it's mastering the latest software tools or understanding emerging industry trends, CTE prepares students to succeed in dynamic and competitive industries.

CTE offers a holistic approach to education that prepares students for success in the workforce and beyond. By providing practical, hands-on learning experiences tailored to specific career pathways, CTE equips students with the skills, knowledge, and insights needed to excel in today's ever-changing job market. From early career exploration to industry-aligned training and soft skills development, CTE empowers students to make informed decisions about their futures and pursue meaningful and fulfilling careers. As we continue to navigate the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century, CTE remains a vital pathway for unlocking the full potential of our nation's workforce.

One more thought: "Teach to the test and the student wins for the day. Teach to the career and they win for a lifetime." - Steve Waddell Founder - CTeLearning.com

Reach Out Today

To set up a free demo of any of our courses with our development team, call us at 913-764-4272 or schedule directly using Calendly .

2024 Web Design Career Infographic for Educators

Fri, 16 Feb 2024 20:33:22 GMT

In today's digital age, the demand for web design skills is skyrocketing. From small businesses to multinational corporations, everyone needs a strong online presence to thrive in the global market. Learning web design not only opens up a world of opportunities but also equips you with valuable skills that are highly sought after in various industries.

One of the key benefits of learning web design is the ability to create visually appealing and user-friendly websites. In a world where first impressions matter, having a well-designed website can make all the difference. By learning web design, you can master the art of creating layouts, choosing color schemes, and incorporating engaging visuals that captivate visitors and keep them coming back for more.

This career pathway is diverse, highly creative and open to all levels of education. While some designers have four-year degrees, most successfully begin their careers with industry credentials, a robust portfolio and some post-secondary education. Like many creative fields (animation, graphics, game design, etc.), people first look at what you have done before looking at your level of education. Today, tech-savvy companies are placing more emphasis on industry certifications and portfolios than college degrees.

Additionally, earning industry-based certifications in web design can give you a competitive edge. These certifications validate your skills and knowledge, making you stand out from the crowd. They demonstrate your commitment to professional development and show potential employers or clients that you have the expertise to deliver high-quality web design solutions.

Another advantage of learning web design is the flexibility it offers in terms of career options. As a web designer, you can choose to work as an employee, entrepreneur, or freelancer. As an employee, you can join a design agency or work in the web design department of a company. This provides stability, a steady income, and the opportunity to collaborate with a team of professionals.

On the other hand, if you have an entrepreneurial spirit, you can start your own web design business. This allows you to have full control over your projects, clients, and working hours. You can build a portfolio of diverse clients and create a brand that reflects your unique style and expertise.

Freelancing is another popular option for web designers as it offers the freedom to work on your own terms, choose your clients, and set your rates. Freelancing allows you to work with clients from around the world, giving you the opportunity to tap into the global market. With the rise of remote work and digital communication tools, you can collaborate with clients and teams from different countries, expanding your network and gaining exposure to diverse cultures and perspectives.

In addition to the career opportunities, learning web design also enhances your problem-solving and critical thinking skills. Web design requires you to analyze user needs, understand business objectives, and find creative solutions to design challenges. These skills are transferable to many other fields and can open doors to new career paths.

In conclusion, learning web design and earning industry-based certifications can be a game-changer for your career. It equips you with valuable skills, offers a range of career options, and provides the opportunity to work in a global market. Whether you choose to work as an employee, entrepreneur or freelancer, the world of web design is full of exciting possibilities. Help your students take the leap, embrace the digital revolution, and unlock the doors to a successful and fulfilling career in web design. Check out our Web Design Course and contact us today for a free demo.

2024 Animation Industry Infographic for Educators

Fri, 09 Feb 2024 21:38:52 GMT

The Important Role of STEM Curriculum in Middle School and High School Education

Thu, 28 Dec 2023 21:20:59 GMT

In the rapidly evolving landscape of education, the integration of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) curriculum at the middle school and high school levels has emerged as a transformative force. This article explores the multifaceted importance of STEM education during these critical years of academic development, shedding light on the impact it has on cognitive growth, career readiness, and the cultivation of essential skills that prepare students for the challenges of the 21st century.

Every educator and parent knows how science and contextual learning excite students. Sadly, so much focus and attention on high stakes exams has pushed aside exploration and discovery in favor of test prep. However, STEM brings contextual, exploratory and discovery learning back into the classroom. STEM, by definition, is multidisciplinary. You cannot teach engineering or technology without including science and mathematics.

STEM includes career and technical education (CTE) subjects like web design, coding, robotics, game design, animation, sustainability, electrical engineering, plumbing, construction, and much more. Great STEM and CTE courses also teach soft skills alongside technical skills to help learners prosper to become whole professionals in their field of study. It is in the critical soft skills where students engage in writing, communication, leadership, ethics and time management. Great STEM programs offer students the opportunity to work in collaboration and the chance to both be a team member and other times be the team leader. Arguably, no student should ever exit secondary education without a solid foundation in STEM.

Sometimes we forget that hands-on experience does not require some physical manipulatives. Hands-on learning means a focus on doing something real and with real purpose. Coding a game design is hands-on if what is being created has a commercial purpose. Creating an animation is hands-on if the project has the learner building something tangible for a client (whether real or fictional). STEM learning, when done right, is always contextual. Physics is a great example: so much of physics is directly applied in engineering, trade careers, game coding, sustainability, electronics and robotics.

Let's look at some of the ways STEM curriculum impacts students:

Fostering Early Interest and Curiosity

Middle school and high school mark a pivotal period in a student's academic journey, and it is during these years that curiosity and interest in specific subjects often begin to crystallize. STEM curriculum plays a crucial role in fostering early interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics by offering hands-on, interactive learning experiences. These experiences go beyond textbooks, allowing students to engage with real-world applications of STEM concepts.

Exposing students to the excitement of conducting experiments, building prototypes, and solving real-life problems ignites a passion for exploration. By capturing the imagination of young minds, STEM education lays the groundwork for future scientists, engineers, and innovators, encouraging them to pursue further studies and careers in STEM fields.

Developing Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving Skills

Middle school and high school are formative years where students develop essential cognitive skills that shape their academic and professional trajectories. STEM curriculum places a strong emphasis on critical thinking and problem-solving, providing students with the tools to analyze complex issues systematically.

Through hands-on projects and collaborative problem-solving activities, students learn to approach challenges with a scientific mindset. This not only enhances their academic performance but also equips them with skills that are universally applicable across various disciplines and real-world scenarios. The ability to think critically and solve problems strategically is a cornerstone for success in higher education and the workforce.

Preparing for Future Careers

As the global economy becomes increasingly reliant on technology and innovation, STEM-related careers are in high demand. Middle school and high school serve as crucial periods for students to explore and prepare for future career paths, and a robust STEM curriculum ensures that they are well-equipped for the opportunities that lie ahead.

STEM education introduces students to the breadth of career possibilities within science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Whether it's coding, biomedical research, environmental science, or robotics, exposure to these fields during middle and high school allows students to make informed decisions about their educational and career paths. Moreover, it instills a sense of purpose and direction, motivating students to pursue higher education in STEM disciplines. We often tell kids to grow up and do what makes them happy, but no one is happy every day. Not every day at the office (or working at home) will be fun, but when someone has a sense of purpose it propels them forward to do their best everyday.

Bridging the Gender Gap

Historically, STEM fields have grappled with gender disparities, with fewer women pursuing careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Middle school and high school are pivotal stages for addressing this gender gap, and a well-designed STEM curriculum plays a crucial role in promoting inclusivity and diversity.

By offering engaging and accessible STEM courses, schools can break down stereotypes and encourage both male and female students to explore their interests in these disciplines. Initiatives that highlight the achievements of women in STEM serve as powerful inspiration, challenging traditional norms and fostering an environment where all students feel welcome and empowered to pursue their passions.

Cultivating Collaboration and Teamwork

The ability to collaborate effectively is a key skill required in the modern workforce. STEM education in middle school and high school emphasizes teamwork through group projects, problem-solving challenges, and collaborative experiments. These activities not only enhance academic learning but also instill interpersonal skills that are vital for success in any profession.

By working together on STEM projects, students learn to communicate ideas, delegate tasks, and leverage each other's strengths. These collaborative experiences mirror the collaborative nature of many STEM professions, where interdisciplinary teamwork is often the catalyst for groundbreaking innovations. The social skills developed through STEM education are transferable to various aspects of life, preparing students for a future that demands effective communication and collaboration.

Adapting to Technological Advancements

The 21st century is marked by rapid technological advancements that influence every facet of society. Middle school and high school students are digital natives, growing up in an era where technology is an integral part of daily life. A well-designed STEM curriculum not only leverages this familiarity with technology but also provides students with the skills to navigate and contribute meaningfully to the digital landscape.

From coding and programming to data analysis and digital communication, STEM courses in middle and high school nurture digital literacy. This not only prepares students for the evolving job market but also empowers them to be responsible and informed citizens in an increasingly tech-driven world. STEM courses inspire students to ask questions, seek answers, and explore the uncharted territories of knowledge. This curiosity-driven approach not only contributes to academic success but also prepares students for a future where adaptability and a thirst for knowledge are essential attributes.

Conclusion

The integration of STEM curriculum in middle school and high school education is instrumental in shaping well-rounded, intellectually curious individuals prepared for the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century. By fostering early interest, developing critical thinking skills, preparing for future careers, bridging gender gaps, cultivating collaboration, adapting to technological advancements, and encouraging lifelong learning, STEM education serves as a catalyst for personal and societal growth.

As educators and policymakers recognize the transformative impact of STEM education, efforts to enhance and expand STEM programs at the middle and high school levels become paramount. The investment in STEM curriculum during these crucial years not only empowers individual students but also contributes to building a workforce that is innovative, diverse, and well-prepared to tackle the complex challenges of our rapidly advancing world.

At CTeLearning, we are passionate about STEM education and love working with teachers, students, and parents across the country. Reach out to us today by clicking here or calling us at 913-764-4272. We will be happy to show you in a free 30-minute demo how our curriculum can help prepare your students for future success.

Impacting Students With the Power of Story

Wed, 06 Dec 2023 20:43:54 GMT

Last week we published an article on Ian Kilpatrick and his students at the High School of Fashion Industries in Manhattan, New York City. Ian’s students in his Computer Science course are working through our Web Game Design curriculum (and will be working through our Web Design curriculum in Spring of 2024), and they are learning technical and soft skills that will help them in their future educational and career pathways. Today we are featuring an interview with some of Ian’s students to get the student perspective.

We are geared to react to stories. Professional designers and developers must understand the power that story plays in product creation and promotion. Think about it: the power of a story is essential anytime you are trying to engage a target audience. Story is part of the full spectrum of engagement, including interviews for jobs, selling your ideas to win contracts, leading and motivating your team, building games, and creating websites that enthrall users.

Our curriculum is 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. Ian’s class has a balanced mix of boys and girls, showing that anyone can access in-demand and high-paying career pathways.

Let’s hear from three of Ian’s students to hear more about their experience using CTeLearning curriculum.

How are you enjoying learning about the world of web game design?

Jimena: I enjoy creating, editing and adding sounds to games that fit my style. It's very interesting how the professionals in the courses explain what they do and give their advice on how to approach the assignment. I get to see what these professionals do when they are working and how they find bugs or errors in a game.

Violet: I really enjoy learning about web game design. I was always interested in the computer science field. It is a really big field that expands and develops everyday. I didn't always have the opportunity to have a computer and learn about it , and this course really helped me to expand my knowledge about it. I really like the problem solving process in this major, the process of making something new, and I am glad I am in this class.

Lisa: In my opinion Web Development is a really interesting and open field, mostly because it has so many open opportunities and is open for everyone. I am glad I chose computer science as my major and now have opportunities to learn more about it and find my favorite things about it.

What did you like about the Text Adventure game activity?

Jimena: I like how we were able to add our own unique spin on our game without having restrictions on what to write about. It was fun viewing other classmates and how much imagination and creativity they had and getting inspiration from their work.

Violet: I really liked that it helps with just starting and understanding the construction of making games, plus you can see what you are capable of in the sense of creating interesting plots for games.

Lisa: In my opinion, the Text Adventure activity was really useful because it allowed me and my peers to feel in charge of creating a game. We had to come up with a plot for a game, choose who will be a character, figure out who the intended audience is, and decide on which genre the game would work the best. We also went through the process of testing the game. We had three rounds of tests and after each round we had to improve our games.

What did you like about the freedom you had to create the story and interactive fiction game?

Jimena: I was able to create something that I had a passion and a vision for, making the game more interesting, enjoyable and relatable for me and to others that played it. If I did have restrictions on what my story was about, it wouldn't show the amount of creativity we have when making our own game or story.

Violet: The only rule is to make sense when you are creating a story that can go in different ways, and to not mess up when your moves and decisions interfere. Other than that you can use your imagination on max. Everybody creates unique stories and characters, and when you create your own story it feels like you are in the story. Afterwards you get to play others' games and learn from them.

Lisa: It was really interesting to test games of my peers and see that even though we all have the same assignment, everyone came up with different outcomes. We had different points of view, different plots, and sometimes even the structures of games were different. I think the diversity in games we created was mostly possible due to the freedom we were allowed to have.

What was it about the challenge of creating a story that allowed the player to find their own path so much fun?

Jimena: It makes the game more thrilling to play, since the player's options will be important to the overall story of the game. This also makes the player more involved with the game and gives them more than one ending for them to discover when playing the game multiple times.

Violet: When you are getting the feedback on your Text Adventure game, some people may take paths that you didn't expect them to take and then you have to improve or change some paths.

Lisa: I based my game on historical events that I find interesting, so choices in my game were based on players' knowledge of history and their moral values. It was interesting to see how everyone found their choices so obvious, while knowing that no one before actually chose this path. This experience showed me how different everyone’s mindsets are, even though my “testing subjects” were in the same age group and similar interests and involvement in computer science.

What would you say to someone who was thinking about taking this class next year?

Jimena: The class can sometimes get difficult, but there will be videos to guide you and help you understand the material. The curriculum websites that are used are very navigable, where everything is organized by category, making it easy to learn and keep track of your work. Even with all this help, you also need to be motivated and be persistent.

Violet: It's worth it. You have so much fun learning about coding and technology. You can create any characters while you are making your game, you will create sound effects and draw the game from the beginning.

Lisa: I really enjoy this class. I like creating games and changing the ones that already exist. I think this class is very unique because it gives the opportunity to try yourself in the new field, without having any previous experience with gaming. I am not a big fan of games, I don't play that much in my free time; however, I do enjoy working on their development on different stages.

What else would you like to say about the Web Game Design course or Text Adventure?

Jimena: I like how the website introduces new skills that will be used later in future projects, having the person use the skills that they have learned throughout the courses and manipulate them to personalize their game.

Violet: I was really excited when I started the course. I wanted to learn about web game design and how people create games and develop them. This class showed me that I actually can be creative not only on a paper using pencils, I can create characters and make them move, I can create my own story. This class improves our analyzing skills while we create games and fix bugs.

Lisa: This course is really interesting because it's really complex. While taking this course we develop different skills, and sometimes their variety is surprising. Just this month me and my peers worked on our creative (creating our games), collaborative (group assignments such as flying monkey assessment), analyzing (game analysis assignments), ethics (work to get an ethics credential on the workplace certificate), coding (work on the My Web IDE) and adaptive (trying out new programs) skills to do well in this class.

Wrap-Up

As educators, we are constantly working to build whole learners and future professionals who are future-ready for their next steps, whether that is additional educational endeavors or using their newly earned industry certifications and credentials to step into industry.

Technologies will continue to come and go. However, as educators we need to make sure we get our learners future-ready and future-proof. Critical thinking, computational thinking, soft skills, thinking strategically about education and careers and the value add of industry-validated credentials is what we must deliver for every learner.

For many students, it is impractical to impossible to get an apprenticeship; however, we can give students real-world work experiences to allow them to build career confidence. This is what we do with every one of our innovative courses including Web Animation for Marketing, Web and Mobile Game Design, Web Design for Business, Hybrid and Remote Working Professional, Bootstrap 5 for Business Sites, WordPress for Business, and more.

Work With Us

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.

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

swaddell@ctelearning.com (Steve Waddell) — Wed, 29 Nov 2023 15:16:32 GMT

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.

Why is it Important for Schools to Offer Web Design Courses?

Tue, 14 Nov 2023 21:06:26 GMT

In an era where the digital landscape is ubiquitous and online presence is integral to personal and professional success, web design stands out as a crucial skill. As middle and students embark on their educational journey, introducing them to web design goes beyond creating aesthetically pleasing websites. It empowers them with a toolset that fosters creativity, critical thinking, and a deep understanding of digital communication.

Our Web Design course helps equip middle school and high school students with web design skills that they can build on in their future professional and educational endeavors. In addition to technical sills, our curriculum also teaches ethics in the workplace and how to handle intellectual property and copyrights. We prepare the whole learner for future success. Let’s look at why web design is important for middle and high school students, examining the practical, cognitive, and future-oriented advantages it offers.

Digital Literacy in the Modern Age
Digital literacy is no longer an optional skill; it is a fundamental requirement for active participation in the modern world. Students, who are digital natives, must not only consume digital content but also understand how it is created and presented. Web design education provides them with the knowledge and skills to navigate and contribute to the digital landscape effectively. Our course makes ethics, intellectual property and copyright come alive as learners create original work and understand why it is important to respect others, their work and value their own endeavors.

Creative Expression and Individuality
Web design is an art form that combines creativity with functionality. Students, often in the process of discovering their identities and interests, can use web design as a medium for creative expression. Designing a website allows them to showcase their unique perspectives, talents, and passions. Whether it's a personal blog, a portfolio, or a project highlighting a social cause, web design enables students to articulate their individuality in the digital realm.

Practical Application of STEM Skills
Web design is a multidisciplinary field that incorporates elements of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Students engaged in web design projects apply mathematical principles for layout and proportions, logic for coding, and problem-solving skills to address design challenges. This practical application of STEM concepts in a real-world context enhances their understanding of these subjects and demonstrates their relevance beyond the classroom.

Enhanced Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving
Designing a website requires careful consideration of user experience, information architecture, and visual aesthetics. Students immersed in web design projects develop critical thinking skills as they make decisions about layout, color schemes, and navigation. They learn to analyze problems, anticipate user needs, and iteratively refine their designs based on feedback. These problem-solving skills are transferable to various academic and professional contexts.

Preparation for a Technology-Centric Job Market
In the contemporary job market, a strong online presence is a valuable asset. Learning web design equips students with the skills to create and maintain their digital portfolios, which can be instrumental in college applications and job interviews. Furthermore, as many professions increasingly rely on digital communication, having a foundational understanding of web design becomes a valuable asset, regardless of the specific career path chosen.

Introduction to Coding and Programming Concepts
Web design often involves basic coding and programming concepts, introducing students to the world of coding in a user-friendly manner. While not all web designers need to be expert programmers, understanding the basics of HTML, CSS, and possibly JavaScript provides students with a glimpse into the logical and structured thinking required for coding. This exposure can spark an interest in further exploring coding and programming, potentially paving the way for future careers in technology.

Building Effective Communication Skills
Web design is not just about visual appeal; it's about effective communication. Students engaging in web design projects learn to convey information clearly and succinctly. They consider their target audience, create user-friendly interfaces, and employ visual elements to enhance the overall communication experience. These communication skills are invaluable in an era where effective digital communication is a key competency in various personal and professional contexts.

Encouraging Collaboration and Teamwork
Web design projects often involve collaboration, mirroring the collaborative nature of many professional settings. Students working on web design assignments learn to collaborate with peers, share responsibilities, and integrate different perspectives into a cohesive design. These teamwork skills are not only valuable in web design projects but also in preparing students for future collaborative endeavors in their academic and professional lives.

Understanding User-Centered Design Principles
Web design places a strong emphasis on user-centered design principles. Students learn to empathize with the needs and preferences of their intended audience. This focus on user experience cultivates a mindset that prioritizes the end user, a perspective that is applicable in various fields, from product design to customer service.

Adaptability and Lifelong Learning

The field of web design is dynamic, with design trends, tools, and technologies constantly evolving. Learning web design instills in students a sense of adaptability and a commitment to lifelong learning. As they navigate updates in design software, explore emerging design trends, and adapt their skills to evolving technology, students develop a mindset that embraces change and continuous improvement.

Contact Us Today

The importance of web design education for students extends beyond the confines of creating visually appealing websites. It empowers students with a diverse skill set that includes digital literacy, creativity, critical thinking, and practical STEM application.

Click here or call us at 913-764-4272 to schedule your free 20-minute demo of our Web Design course. We have helped countless teachers and students, and we would love to work with you.

Why Are Stackable Certifications Important?

Thu, 05 Oct 2023 19:03:37 GMT

In today's rapidly evolving job market, traditional educational paths are no longer the only route to success. The landscape of work is shifting, and the demand for specific skills often takes precedence over a lengthy academic journey. In this dynamic environment, “stackable certification” pathways have emerged as a vital tool for both individuals and industries. The term stackable certifications refers to credentials that can be earned and built upon to gain multiple levels of expertise in a certain area. These certification pathways offer a flexible and efficient means of acquiring the skills needed to thrive in various professions.

At CTeLearning, we are proud to partner with secondary and post-secondary students as well as adult learners. Our courses incorporate industry-based certifications (IBC) from Web Professionals Global and blend hard tech skills with soft skills to build the whole professional. Our students build real-world projects and portfolios that they can take with them in their careers. The courseware is interactive, self-directed, and easy for teachers to facilitate. Everything that students need to earn their certifications is in the course, so no there are no prerequisites. Let's explore why stackable certification pathways are rising in popularity.

Agile and Adaptive Learning

Stackable certification pathways are designed to be agile and adaptive, aligning with the ever-changing demands of industries. They break down the traditional one-size-fits-all model of education and allow individuals to tailor their learning journey to their specific needs and goals. Whether you're a recent high school graduate, a mid-career professional seeking a change, or someone returning to the workforce, our stackable certifications can improve your career readiness and guide you toward your aspirations.

Short-Term Commitment, Long-Term Gains

One of the standout features of stackable certifications is their brevity. Our courses and certifications offer shorter-term credentials that can be earned in a matter of months rather than years. This accessibility lowers barriers to entry for individuals who may not have the time or resources for a traditional degree. It also enables them to enter the job market sooner, equipped with practical skills and ready to contribute to their chosen field.

Progress at Your Pace

Stackable certification pathways embrace the idea of lifelong learning, allowing individuals to progress at their own pace. If you earn a certificate and decide to continue your education, you can seamlessly stack it towards a higher-level credential, such as an associate's or bachelor's degree. This adaptability fosters a continuous learning mindset, ensuring that you're always equipped with the latest knowledge and skills.

Meeting Industry Demand

Industries are constantly evolving, and so are their skill requirements. CTeLearning’s stackable certification pathways are a direct response to this demand for up-to-date expertise. Our courseware and certifications are developed in close collaboration with industry stakeholders to ensure that what you learn is directly applicable to real-world scenarios. As a result, our students become job-ready and gain skills that are in high demand.

A Bridge to Career Advancement

Stackable certifications provide a tangible bridge to career advancement. Whether you're looking to move up within your current organization or transition to a new field, these credentials signal to employers that you have the skills necessary to excel. In fact, many stackable pathways lead to well-paying, in-demand careers, making them a practical choice for anyone seeking to improve their job prospects.

A Catalyst for Economic Growth

The success of individuals in the workforce directly impacts the economic prosperity of communities and nations. Stackable certifications contribute to economic growth by producing a skilled workforce that can fill critical roles in various sectors. This, in turn, attracts businesses, drives innovation, and strengthens local economies. We are proud to have our courseware and certifications across the U.S. as well as globally for individuals in a wide variety of industries.

Stackable certification pathways are a powerful force for personal and economic advancement. They empower individuals to acquire relevant skills efficiently, adapt to changing industry needs, and unlock new career opportunities. As we navigate the evolving world of employment, these pathways will continue to play a pivotal role in helping individuals achieve their aspirations and contribute to the success of industries and societies alike.

Interested in Learning More?

By now you have realized how stackable industry-based certifications can be a powerful tool. Whether you are a teacher who wants to equip your students with engaging certification programs or an experienced professional who wants to learn new skills, we can help. Reach out today at 913-764-4272 or hello@ctelearning.com for a friendly chat.

CTeLearning Course Updates for the 23-24 School Year

Tue, 26 Sep 2023 19:32:19 GMT

We are so proud to be working with a great lineup of schools from all over the country in the 2023-2024 school year. Whether we are working with a school for the first year or the 15th year, we appreciate all the teachers, administrators, parents and students who have chosen to work with us. We spent the summer hard at work improving our curricula and are pleased to announce changes that will enhance the learning experience for students and teaching experience for teachers.

Let’s look at some of the new features we have rolled out:

Virtual Teacher Assistant

This year, we have jumped more fully into the world of artificial intelligence (AI). We started to work on AI assisting technologies last spring, and we would like to thank some of our teachers for their support in trying out some of these new teacher oriented solutions.

The Virtual Teacher Assistant (VTA) is an AI tool that we have trained to be an expert in all the content that is part of any one course. In other words, teachers have the ability to ask a virtual assistant any question about the course and the assistant will not only answer the question but can tell the teacher exactly where the answer came from in the course. When a student complains that they “never learned” about a certain subject, or that a quiz question is “unfair,” the teacher can ask the question, get the answer and learn not only what was taught but also where it exists.

We realize this almost never happens in your class. Of course all of your students read, watch the videos, and do the exercises completely. However, in those very rare occasions when a student doesn’t do his or her course work, you as the teacher get the information you need to answer the student and direct them back to content in the course.

It is important to note that the VTA is in no way a substitute or replacement for the teacher. Our courses require a real, human teacher to lead students to success. The VTA is simply a tool that makes life easier for our teachers and equips them to hit the ground running on day one of the course.

New Class Pacing Buttons

Our teachers asked for a way they could better pace their students in their courses, so this year we have fully implemented our Hide/Show chapter buttons. This is an incredibly simple way for a teacher to open up a chapter for the students to enter. Some of our teachers like to change the order of projects and activities, and this simple approach allows them to open the next chapter when they are ready for the students to move on, and take control over the sequence as they shepherd their students through the content.

LessonKit

We deploy our courses using what we refer to as our LessonKit. LessonKit is our own reactive design courseware, and we have updated all of our courses with the new kit. LessonKit has a new look, feel and interactivity to engage your students. It also offers more opportunities for your students to get the chance to play with concepts, knowledge, hard and soft skills. We have more interactive activities rolling out as this is being written, so don’t be surprised when you see new advanced interactivity magically appearing in the courses you teach. What can I say? We have fun continually improving our courses for teachers and students.

Other Course Updates

Here are some of the other updates in the courses for fall 2023:

Web Animation

New Virtual Teacher Assistant (VTA)
Updated virtual apprenticeship project
Updated animation tutorials
New professional animator chats
Updated advance projects

Web and Mobile Game Design

New Virtual Teacher Assistant (VTA)
Updated virtual apprenticeship project
Updated web and mobile game tutorials
Updated game mechanics lessons
Updated retro adventure game
Updated virtual apprenticeship project
Updated advance projects

Web Design for Business and Marketing

New Virtual Teacher Assistant (VTA)
Updated text adventure game and new adventure creation tool
Updated web design trends
New reactive design modules
Updated advanced client projects
Updated teacher coaching support for state and national SkillsUSA Web Design and Development competition

Hybrid and Remote Working Professional

New Virtual Teacher Assistant (VTA)
Updated interactive curriculum

Artificial Intelligence and Mobile Robotics

New Virtual Teacher Assistant (VTA)
Updated virtual apprenticeship project
Updated robotics coding tutorials

We have more updates that we are rolling out over the next few weeks and we will give you an update as we make them active and public.

Again, shout out to all our teachers for giving us the feedback and insights we are constantly using to improve our curriculum.

Reach Out Today

If you are a teacher who currently uses our courses, feel free to reach out today to discuss any of these updates. And if you are a teacher, administrator or parent who would like to discuss how we can help your students, we would love to have a conversation with you. Contact our lead developer, Steve, at 913-764-4272 or hello@ctelearning.com .

Texas High School Building Next Generation of Animators with Certifications

Thu, 24 Aug 2023 12:39:48 GMT

Project-Based Learning Approach to Animation Curriculum

We love to highlight our teachers and students, and today we are taking a look at one of our schools in Texas. William Rodriguez is the CTE Chair and Digital Imaging and Animation Professor at Manor Independent School District in Manor and is heading into his second year using CTeLearning’s

Animation course .

William’s students enjoy using our Animation curriculum that features engaging tutorials and provides students with an inside look at animation careers. The course features interviews with real animators, including from block buster movies. William’s students have the opportunity to earn international industry-recognized Animation certifications from Web Professionals Global , the professional association for all those who work on the web.

We chatted with William to hear more about his first year working with us and what he is looking forward to in the 23-24 school year. Stay tuned later this year for an article with insights from some of William’s students about how they are enjoying the Animation course.

You ran your first group of students through the Animation course in Spring 2023. How was that experience?

Wow. That experience was really a heck of a gauntlet run, honestly. We’d been on the hunt for a certification house to challenge the animators I had been teaching for years. We were approved by the district and I presented the program to my animators in the final two months of the school year! They were hesitant at first, but when they realized that it was all of the concepts and techniques I’d already taught them, they relented to give it a go. They were wrapped up in the storytelling and finer points of the lessons when the end of the school year finally caught up with them. The animators who finished the program were so proud of their accomplishments that they were the first to help relaunch our animation club the following year.

What did you find different or surprising about the CTeLearning curriculum?

When I first logged in, I was surprised to see that the project-based learning (PBL) curriculum was being used. Our campus is a 100% PBL/PrBL school, so to see the model put to use on a level that was accessible to many more schools was highly encouraging.

How did your students react when they found out they had earned their industry credentials?

My animators were elated when they’d received their credentials. I printed their certificates on high-gloss card-stock for them to frame. As an added bonus, I promised them that I’d give any of my animators who received their credentials a first shot at the internships offered by some of our area studios and true to my word, we got them placed!

Did you hear back from parents about their kids getting their industry-recognized certifications for web animation?

I haven’t heard back from any of the parents, yet, but after one of my animators assured me that he would be applying for Savannah College of Design, Ringling College of Art and Design, and any other school with an animation program, I’m sure to hear something back from his parents. He’ll be the first to continue education past high school in his family.

Before you became a teacher, you were in the animation industry. What do you like about the Learn and Earn approach and partnership with Web Professionals Global?

I found the ties into authentic experiences as seen through the lens of professionals to be refreshing. Embedding interviews from industry representatives was a great way to expose young scholars to the perspectives of those who are actually utilizing what’s being taught in the course.

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

Absolutely! The certification requirements are infused in the curriculum, allowing the students to earn certifications by completing their work and not being subjected to a high-stakes exam. The way the certifications exemplify the process of animation is brilliant! Teaching scholars how to test doesn’t give them the opportunity to build meaningful and vital portfolios, which any competent animator knows is the lifeblood of their career.

Why do you love to teach animation?

I have strived to create the classes I wish I had when I was in high school (many, many moons ago) and I have been very impressed with how closely Web Professionals Global has aligned with my own teaching model and philosophy. PBL is designed to answer the “why” before the scholars can ask it. As an educator, I thoroughly appreciate how the knowledge checks are hidden in the lessons. I feel like the key history of animation is a bit sparse, but that’s probably more of a personal preference.

What is your favorite animated movie or animated series? Why?

Few features can captivate me the way Don Bluth’s film, The Secret of NIMH , has for most of my life. The fluid movement of the lip sync sequences and the character designs just inundated my imagination and spurred me further into my determination to animate in my adult life.

Your School Could Be Next

Interested in learning more about our Animation course or other courses ? Contact our lead developer, Steve Waddell, today at 913-764-4272 or hello@ctelearning.com to schedule your free 20-minute demo.

Special Note for Texas Schools:

This certification can be found on the 2022-24 Industry-Based Certification (IBC) List for Public School Accountability list where we find the Web Animator certification.

IBC Code: 967

IBC Title: Certified Web Animator

Certifying Entity Name: WebProfessionalsGlobal.org (previously known as WebProfessionals.org)

More information on the certification

Read more about our schools using the Animation course in Colorado and Wisconsin .

SkillsUSA 2023 National Web Design and Development Event Recap

Wed, 05 Jul 2023 15:22:45 GMT

Our founder and lead developer, Steve Waddell, recently returned from the 2023 SkillsUSA National Leadership & Skills Conference that took place in Atlanta, GA at the Georgia World Congress Center from June 19-23. Steve has been helping Web Professionals Global administer the Web Design and Development competition for the last several years.

Competition Overview

For those not familiar with how the SkillsUSA National Web Design and Development competition, the competition guidelines were as follows: Teams of two completed a series of challenges focusing on creating a website for a client and a specific target audience. Judging focused on meeting the client's needs, usability and accessibility, and industry-standard best practices. Teams were evaluated on the process they used to meet the challenges and how well they worked as a team. Teams used the internet to access all competition materials (including the coding environment).

The competition was divided into the following days:

Tuesday, June 20:

This was training day when the secondary and post-secondary teams gained some real-world training from Mark, Executive Director, and Jonathan, Director of Competitive Events, for Web Professionals Global.

The competitors were then treated to a lively interactive panel discussion with three local web professionals representing web coding and project management (Angel McCurdy), branding and graphics (Jessica Murphy) and web marketing and entrepreneurship (Shan Thomas). The competitors learned the importance of audience engagement, perseverance, execution and much more.

Wednesday, June 21:

This was the day of the secondary competition for high school students.

Thursday, June 22:

This was the day of the post-secondary competition for college students. We also held a competition debrief at the end of the day.

Friday, June 23:

This was the awards ceremony at State Farm Arena, where 16,880 SkillsUSA competitors, advisors and event runners all showed up for the big reveal of the winners in over 100 different events.

Competition Winners

High School

Gold: Carl Omondi/Jean-Paul Metoyer, Carl Wunsche Senior High School, Spring, TX

Silver: Daniel Cardone/Natalia Vazquez, Blackstone Valley RVTHS, Upton, MA

Bronze: Rhys Jordan/Steven Shoen, Meridian Technical Charter High School, Meridian, ID

College

Gold: Allen Gustrowsky/Brandon Gustrowsky, Southern Adventist University, Collegedale, TN

Silver: Eric Nims/Elizabeth Sheba, Gwinnett Technical College, Lawrenceville, GA

Bronze: Kenli Shaw/Michael Vars, Northwest Kansas Technical College, Goodland, KS

Stay tuned for future articles from us with more details about the week in Atlanta.

Check out more photos from the competition on the Web Professionals Global site here

Congratulations to SpaceX for 200th Falcon 9 Booster Landing

Wed, 14 Jun 2023 17:54:13 GMT

If you grew up watching the Apollo Saturn V and the Space Shuttles - you would get how big this number is.

This is an extraordinary achievement, showcasing remarkable accomplishments, and there is no evidence to suggest that SpaceX's momentum is waning. It fills me with immense pride to see SpaceX, an American company, leading the way. Bravo to SpaceX and NASA for their remarkable endeavors!

Taking a Look at Game Testing as a Career Choice

Tue, 13 Jun 2023 16:43:26 GMT

Game Tester as a career, its myths and job outlook.

We had a teacher recently ask about our addition of the Game Tester Tutorials to our Web and Mobile Game Design curriculum . They were curious as to why we added the section since the curriculum was focused on game design. Let’s take a look at the reasons why we did this.

There are a number of ways for people to break into the game industry. For many, the start is by becoming a game tester. As in many industries, you have to start somewhere and prove yourself and your value to the work. Game testing is a way to start off as the barrier to entry is much lower than, for example, a game programmer.

Game testers are a critical part of any game development. They find the flaws in the game, whether they are small or large, and then carefully describe and document the error to the coding, systems and graphics teams.

Failing to test well can lead to epic disasters. One game company released a game called Fallout: New Vegas . The game had so many bugs that the publisher 505 Games pulled the game off of STEAM and pledged to refund all purchases.

Myths

Game testing involves only playing video games: it is true that game testers spend time playing the game, but there is nothing easy about the job. You have to play the game methodically. You will have to play, over and over again, portions of the game to be able to carefully identify and explain, in detail, what it takes to trigger the issue.

Game testers don’t have skills: being a game tester requires a number of skills to identify and explain issues to the game developers. Developers rely on the skill of testers to find mistakes that were made in the development process and prepare the game to be ready for the end user. Testers must have a deep understanding of game design, attention to detail, the ability to explain issues to game developers, and much more.

Anyone can be a game tester: just because you can play a game does not mean you are cut out to be a game tester. You have to be organized, detail-oriented, methodical and a critical thinker. You also must be a good communicator (written and verbal). When you think about it you can see why you can move from game testing into other higher level jobs in the game industry. All the skills you demonstrate in game testing are the same skills companies look for in other career paths including graphic design, project management, quality assurance (QA), and development.

Game testers don’t have job growth opportunities: not only are game testers in more demand every year, but game testers have the skills that translate well to related roles. Game testers can go on to become managers in the game testing space, software developers, business analysts and more.

Game testers will be replaced by AI: although it is likely that AI tools will continue to grow in importance in the technology space, there will always be a need for human game testers since games are made for humans to play. Human game testers can do a much better job of evaluating whether characters, music, graphics, colors and more all merge to create a pleasant user experience.

Job Outlook

Fortunately, game testers will continue to be in high demand in the coming years. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics , the demand for software developers, quality assurance analysts, and testers will grow 25% between 2021 and 2031. In that time, 162,900 openings for software developers, quality assurance analysts, and testers are projected each year, on average. Some of this change will be from new job openings, while some will be to fill positions of those retiring. As of May 2021 the median annual wage for software developers was $120,730, and for software quality assurance analysts and testers it was $98,220.

Reach Out to Us Today

To learn more about our Web and Mobile Game Design course or any of our other courses, contact us today at 913-764-4272 or hello@ctelearning.com.

CTeLearning Supports State Level SkillsUSA Competitions

Fri, 02 Jun 2023 17:29:41 GMT

CTeLearning.com has been part of the Web Professionals Global Organization's SkillsUSA Competitive Event team since 2012.

We here at CTeLearning are proud to once again support the SkillsUSA web design and development competition in 2023. Along with Web Professionals Global, the association for all professionals in internet-related careers, the CTeLearning team has helped support the event teams running state-level competitions in MD, LA, TX, IN, KY, NV, OK and IL. These states all ran competitive events that best prepare their competitors for the national competition that will be held in June in Atlanta, GA.New Paragraph.

The students are competing using our integrated development environment (IDE), a fancy word for a coding environment where they can experiment with code, develop and create professional-level websites. The platform is online-based, so states had the option of holding the competition either virtually or in-person. This made the process easier and smoother for the judges assessing the work of the participants. The judges are taking advantage of a feature we built into the system that makes it easier for teachers to grade projects.

Steve Waddell, our founder and lead developer, has been helping since 2012 with the SkillsUSA national web design and development competition, and since 2008 in other competition areas.

Since 2013, as we gained more experience in the competition, the CTeLearning web design curriculum and its projects have not only modeled industry but also the national web design and development competition main project. In this way, all our teachers and their students are benefiting in two primary ways.

First, our teachers have a highly successful interactive curriculum to use with the bonus of offering their students opportunities to “Learn and Earn” third-party industry certifications. Second, our SkillsUSA teachers know that what their students are learning will support them at the state and national web design competition. Our experience, background and long-term support of the Web Professionals Global Organization and the national SkillsUSA competition made it an easy choice to partner and help at the state level as well.

Get Your Students Engaged With Curriculum, Certifications and Competitions

Are you a teacher, administrator or parent who is looking to engage your students with the opportunity to compete in state and national competitions in exciting career pathways like web design and development. Contact us today contact us today at 913-764-4272 or hello@ctelearning.com to hear how we can help. And check out our full curriculum list to see what other exciting STEM topics our schools use to prepare their students for their futures.

How One Private School is Preparing Students for In-Demand Careers

Sun, 28 May 2023 15:25:53 GMT

Parents and educators know they need to get their students ready for whatever the future holds. One of our schools that is leading the way is Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy, a college-prep school that fosters both academic and spiritual growth in their students. CVCA is dedicated to making sure all their students are future-ready, and in doing so they are always looking for ways to expand the horizons and opportunities for their learners. This is just one of the many reasons why parents choose CVCA to educate their children.

An edge for college and career

When looking at teaching coding, design, marketing, entrepreneurship, business ethics, and web technologies, CVCA was intrigued by the possibility of offering students opportunities to get industry-based certifications with international appeal and give their students an edge in the real-world after high school. CVCA chose to work with CTeLearning due to our engaging curricula and our unique partnership with Web Professionals Global , the industry association for all web professionals.

Alicia C. is a Teacher and the Director of the School of Business & Entrepreneurship at CVCA who is currently teaching the CTeLearning Web Design course to her students. CVCA is the first private school in Ohio to take advantage of the “Learn and Earn certification model” in which students use their class work experience as sweat equity to earn the Web Designer Certification from Web Professionals Global. By building real-world projects to earn these certifications, students have tangible portfolios and third-party credentials to get a headstart in their educational or professional careers upon graduation from high school.

Steve Waddell, founder and lead developer of CTeLearning, had this to say about working with Alicia and her inspiring students: “Alicia’s students are fantastic and as sharp as they come. During the year we even had some of her students discover missing commas and a couple misspelled words. This was terrific, and since all our teachers have direct connections to our development team, those editorial goofs were fixed, literally in minutes. This told us that her students were actively engaged in the curriculum and were hanging on every word, which showed in the overall success and the level of web design that came from her two classes.”

Let’s hear from Alicia about her experience working with CTeLearning.

How have you enjoyed teaching the Web Design course?

It’s been great to introduce students to something that seems so foreign to them even though they interact with the subject matter on a daily basis.

What do you enjoy about the teaching world compared to working in industry?

The teaching world allows me to leave an impact on the next generation and share my skills and knowledge, as well as life wisdom, with those who will be leading the world before long. It’s extremely fulfilling and exciting to see them when the light bulb comes on and the content is finally clicking!

What does it mean to get your students “future-ready?”

It’s not just about a field-specific subject matter. Our students need to be ready to be adaptable, teachable, and grow with a variety of soft skills, including collaboration, critical thinking, creative design, and teamwork. Focusing on these skills goes a lot further than just focusing on the facts!

How cool has it been to see the impact that the course has had on students?

It’s been great seeing those students who originally thought they wouldn’t be able to do it and considered actually dropping the class turn around and end up being some of my top-performing students! When the students can actually see the fruits of their labor in seeing a website they fully designed and coded, you see the feeling of accomplishment in them, making it all worth it.

One of your students didn’t have many academic interests before discovering this course–what has it been like seeing him finally engaged in something he enjoys?

This student continues to dig into the world of web design and development, as he’s fully bought into the joy of learning! Once it finally clicked with him, he saw the limitless possibilities. He’s moved on completely independently learning JavaScript, React, and so much more. He even created his own web design company and is offering his services to build his portfolio and skills!

What would you say to other teachers who are interested in teaching this course?

Don’t be afraid to make it work for you and your students! Know what YOUR goals are for your students, and don’t forget to remind the students what the goals are as well.

What has it been like working with the team at CTeLearning?

The team at CTE Learning is INCREDIBLE when it comes to being responsive and flexible. They not only responded many times within just a few minutes, but they also accepted constructive feedback, even adding in content that was suggested as useful!

Reach Out to us Today

CVCA is just one of the private and charter schools we work with. We are seeing similar schools all over the country interested in STEM curricula and certifications that prepare students for in-demand and high-paying careers. If you are a teacher, administrator or parent who is looking for engaging options for the classroom for middle or high school students, contact us today at 913-764-4272 or hello@ctelearning.com for a free demo of any of our courses .

Web Design Class Spawns Certifications and Business

Thu, 27 Apr 2023 19:54:44 GMT

It is never too early to start your web design career.

Today we are highlighting Penny Allen and Nick P. of Massac County High School in Metropolis, IL. Penny teaches our Web Design curriculum , and Nick is one of her students who recently earned his Web Design certification and is the first high school student in the state of Illinois to do so with the new Learn and Earn program.

Nick has already designed the website for a local bakery, Miranda’s Delight. The Web Design course helped teach him the skills to build the site and he is now taking the website to the next level by consulting with search engine optimization (SEO) experts to learn how to get more people to see his site while searching online. We are so proud of our teachers and students who utilize our courses. Students like Nick are “future-proofing” themselves with international industry-recognized certifications that they can take with them into their future educational and professional endeavors. With the changing world of work, having certifications to set yourself apart is more important than ever before.

We caught up with Penny and Nick to hear about their experiences with the Web Design course and working with the CTeLearning team.

Hear from Penny

How have you enjoyed teaching the Web Design course?

I like to watch students in this course. Web Design has shown me that some of those students that are normally quiet and don’t always make good grades have really excelled in this course. This year has been no different. I have one student that thought his only future might be working as a stocker at Wal-Mart or something similar. He has a talent for Web design and picked up code like it's his everyday language.

What does it mean to you to get your students “future-ready” (certifications, more than just tech skills, etc.)?

This course and certification gives students a way to make money now and not have to wait until they graduate. Most college students have to work in lower wage jobs while going to college and work long hours during the evening or late nights. This certification will give them the freedom to work when they want, making much more money while going to school.

What would you say to other teachers who are interested in teaching this curriculum?

If you have never taught web design before, at first you might be confused but just give yourself a minute and let things unfold. The curriculum engages the students with very straightforward tutorials and fun projects. Your students will pick up the code quickly and you will be amazed at what they can do!

What do you think of the Learn and Earn Model?

When I introduced the idea of the Learn and Earn model to my students, we talked about how industry professionals were going to underwrite the cost of the students receiving their certifications if they worked hard. I asked my students what they thought about the idea of doing the work and projects in lieu of an exam, and they agreed and said it was a better idea. With an exam they could just memorize a bunch of ‘stuff,” pass the test, and then immediately forget it all. However, this model means they actually have to learn it and use it! This encourages them to remember the material. We are all thankful to the partnership between CTeLearning and Web Professionals Global for this opportunity.

What do the students like about sharing their projects with each other?

The text adventure game got them into a competition on how imaginative they could get and then they played each other’s game. They enjoyed competing!

What do you enjoy about the teaching world compared to working in industry?

If I am able to master an area, then I will get bored with something very quickly. Teaching is always a challenge as not one student is alike and each one is uniquely challenging in how to reach them. I have to adapt and think of new ways to teach the lesson in a way that they will understand it. That can be done in multiple ways and at different times. This is never the same way, so there is never a chance to get bored.

What else would you like to say about your experience teaching the course?

It's not my first year teaching web design, but it's my first year teaching this course, like I have with this model. I've taught other parts like Dreamweaver and Google Sites, but this is the first time just doing the course and certification. So it's been really nice to see, you know, the straight coding side of things. It’s been great to see different kids with different skills, who might not be straight A types, excel in this class. They see how they can flourish in a different career aspect, as opposed to subjects like English and math where they might not do as well. And they're the ones helping the kids that normally make the straight A's in other classes. It’s really refreshing to see that. For those reasons, I really like teaching the course.

Hear from Nick

What attracted you to wanting to be a web designer?

Well, really I think it was this class. I had never really considered web design until I started taking this class this year. It was always something that I was sort of interested in because I'm also really interested in graphic design and like video production. And I feel like those three kind of fall under the same category of creating things online. And this is probably the easiest form for me, because I'm not the most creative mind, I guess I'm a lot better at taking instruction and then putting it out on a piece of paper. And that's kind of what this is, with graphic design. I really enjoy it and have fun with it. Although I don’t necessarily have an artistic mind, for some reason web design just comes naturally to me.

How do you feel about the idea that you're actually earning industry credentials right now in high school?

It's honestly kind of surreal, because I never assumed that I could, I guess achieve something like this while I'm still in high school. It seems like something that is out of reach for a high schooler, and then to have that opportunity and be going through it right now is really strange but cool.

How exciting is it that this course has helped you realize some of your goals?

I think it's really exciting. I've been trying to do this for years but never had success until now. So being able to work with a client, build the website and get a site host and then have a complete site is really cool. And having the certification is great because I can carry it with me in my future.

What was it like hearing from industry professionals?

Oh yeah, in the lessons the professionals really clarified a lot of the things that I was really confused about. And I think hearing advice from people who do this in their daily lives is really great. Obviously teachers help a lot, but sometimes you want to hear from people who actually work in that field. And hearing from multiple people gave me different perspectives on different concepts as well.

We hear that you’ve already started your web design business. Is that true?

Yeah, I've actually just finished my first client. I've published that website, actually, and it's up right now. I am struggling with the SEO right now. I'm not exactly sure how search engine optimization works at the moment. But I've been researching that a lot today and yesterday, and I've got it published, I just need to get it out there really, for people to search it.

What else did you enjoy about the course?

One of the biggest things I've taken from it is understanding the sitemap. My client knew what she wanted for the site, but I wasn’t sure how to format it. The sitemap lesson really helped me because I could organize my ideas into web pages. Although the website only has four pages right now, I know how to organize everything if the site expands.

What do your parents think about the fact that you're getting a certification while in high school?

They're actually really impressed with it, because I guess I hadn't properly explained to them that I was getting certifications until a couple months ago. I just kind of walked in the house with the certification. And my mom was like, where did you get this from? And I was, Oh, it's my web design class that I've been taking for a couple months now. And I think she's just really proud of it because I guess she didn't know that my school offered something like that either. As far as I know, we don’t have other certifications offered at the school.

What would you say to other students who might be interested in this class and certification?

I've actually already suggested it to a couple people because the juniors just went through and picked their electives for the next year. I told a few people that I highly suggest this class. I just tell them to keep an open mind about it. This is not a class that people come into that want to go be a veterinarian or something like that. This is a class you explore if you’re interested in the field of computer science. You don't have to have any sort of insane computer skills to be able to pick up any of this work. It's accessible to anybody. And I didn't even realize that until I walked into this classroom and started doing it myself. When I came into this class I could barely type on a keyboard without looking at it, and now I have built a website.

Your Class Could be Next

Teaching Web Design is easier than you might think. With our turnkey curriculum, you can give your students the opportunity to explore an in-demand and high-paying career pathway. Students like Nick are using the course and certification to prepare for their futures, all while in high school. Contact us today at 913-764-4272 or hello@ctelearning.com for a free 20-minute demo so we can show you how we can help your school.

Web Design CTE Pathways: 2026 Guide to High-Wage Student ROI

Fri, 14 Apr 2023 12:00:12 GMT

In the 2026 labor market, "digital literacy" is no longer the goal— digital mastery is. As school districts look to fulfill the requirements of their Comprehensive Local Needs Assessment (CLNA), one pathway stands out for its resilience, salary potential, and growth: Web Design. Web design is no longer just about "making websites." It is the foundational skill for the modern digital economy, encompassing user experience (UX), responsive architecture, and remote collaboration. For CTE Directors and teachers, providing a robust Web Design pathway isn't just about teaching code; it’s about providing students with a high-ROI (Return on Investment) skill set that bridges the gap between high school and a $65,000+ entry-level salary.

The Economic Reality: High-Wage, High-Demand

The U.S. Department of Labor continues to categorize Web Development and Digital Design as "much faster than average" for growth, with a projected 27% annual increase in job openings through the end of the decade.

Median Pay: Currently hovering around **$64,970 per year** ($31.23 per hour).
Top Tier Potential: The top 25% of earners in this cluster exceed $95,000 annually .
The Entrepreneurial Edge: One in seven web professionals is self-employed, providing students with a direct path to the "Gig Economy" and freelance independence.

With over 500,000 new websites coming online every day, the demand for students who understand HTML5, CSS3, and Responsive Design has never been higher.

Meeting 2026 Standards: Mobile-First and Responsive Design

A static website is a relic of the past. In 2026, the majority of global internet traffic occurs on mobile devices. CTeLearning has expanded our Web Design Curriculum to focus heavily on Mobile-First concepts and Reactive Design .

By teaching students to build for the "smallest screen first," we align our curriculum with current professional workflows used by major tech firms. This ensures that when a student sits for their [suspicious link removed] certification, they are tested on the same standards used in Silicon Valley and beyond.

The "New Normal": Hybrid and Remote Work Readiness

One of the most significant shifts in the 2026 workplace is the permanence of the hybrid model. Statistics show that approximately 44% of the American workforce now operates in a hybrid or fully remote capacity.

To address this, CTeLearning has integrated the Hybrid and Remote Working Professional certification into our Web Design pathway. As one student, Angelica, noted:

"The Web Design course taught me the technical skills, while the Remote Worker course prepared me for the expectations, organization, and standard practices of the modern workforce."

By pairing technical coding skills with professional "soft skills" (time management, digital ethics, and remote collaboration), you are delivering a truly "Career-Ready" graduate.

Turnkey Delivery: Solving the Specialist Teacher Shortage

One of the primary barriers to launching a Web Design CTE pathway is the shortage of specialist teachers. Most web experts are working in industry, not the classroom.

CTeLearning solves this with a Turnkey Curriculum model:

120+ Tutorial Videos: Professional developers do the "heavy lifting" of instruction.
Automated Grading & Sandboxes: Students practice in safe, browser-based environments with immediate feedback.
No Experience Required: We provide the training and support to allow any motivated educator to facilitate a world-class coding program.

This model shifts the teacher’s role from "lecturer" to "mentor," allowing for a self-paced environment where advanced students can fly ahead while others receive targeted support.

Industry-Recognized Credentials (IRC) and Portfolios

Under Perkins V, "Quality" is measured by credential attainment. Our partnership with Web Professionals Global ensures that students aren't just earning a school certificate—they are earning an international credential recognized by the U.S. Department of Labor.

But we go a step further. Every student in our program graduates with a Professional Portfolio . In the tech world, a portfolio is often more valuable than a resume. Our students showcase real, functional websites they built from scratch, proving to employers and college admissions officers that they have the "hands-on" skills to deliver results from Day 1.

Conclusion: Empowering the Next Generation of Creators

A Web Design pathway is more than a computer class; it’s an equity tool. It gives students from all backgrounds the ability to create, earn, and innovate in a digital-first world. Whether they are heading to a four-year university, a community college, or directly into the workforce, these skills remain the "gold standard" for 2026.

Is your district ready to launch a high-demand Web Design pathway? Join the thousands of schools transforming their CTE outcomes with CTeLearning.

Call us for a 30-minute demo: 913-764-4272
Explore the Curriculum: www.ctelearning.com/high-school-curriculum
Email: hello@ctelearning.com

8 Uncommon STEM Careers To Help You Better Understand STEM Education

Wed, 12 Apr 2023 21:18:58 GMT

In the last decade, you have likely heard of STEAM or STEM careers . The growing impact these terms have on society year after year can’t be dismissed. Schools across the country are developing specialized programs to help prepare today’s youth for tomorrow’s future.

Is this just because STEM careers boast some of the highest paying jobs out there? While that may be true, that is simply one benefit to acknowledge. STEM education leads to careers that create new innovation, infrastructure, and overall growth.

How Does STEM Education Relate To These Fields?

The purpose behind STEM / STEAM education is to show how all of the subjects relate to one another in some way. STEAM stands for science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics . With “STEM” the “A” is removed, but we believe art is important and should be included as well.

You may have heard of popular STEM fields and courses such as Computer Engineering, Biotechnology, and Programming just to name a few. The number of career paths available in STEM, however, go beyond what you may expect!

Did you know that being a chef in the culinary world can also be considered a STEM / STEAM based career? How can a culinary field possibly relate to computer engineering? The presentation of the next few fields should clear a few things up for you. Take a look at these unusual STEM careers to help you better understand STEM education.

Sustainable Landscape Designer

As more people become conscious of the importance of sustainability, the field of sustainable landscape design has grown in popularity. Sustainable landscape design is a field that focuses on creating outdoor spaces that are both aesthetically pleasing and environmentally friendly. With the rise of urbanization, there is an increased need for sustainable design in urban areas. Urban agriculture and edible landscapes are two examples of sustainable landscape design that are gaining popularity.

Urban agriculture is the practice of growing food in urban areas. This can be done through community gardens, rooftop gardens, and other urban farming techniques. Edible landscapes are outdoor spaces that incorporate edible plants such as fruits, vegetables, and herbs into the design. These landscapes can be both beautiful and functional, providing food for people and wildlife while also improving the environment.

Landscape designers get involved with water management, soil science, urban planning, urban food farming and production, urban wildlife environmental support, carbon neutrality, sound abatement and fighting urban heat island effects. If you want to make a difference in creating healthy outdoor environments, creating beauty and potentially reversing food deserts, then this career may be right for you. There are many benefits to being a sustainable landscape designer. The majority of sustainable landscape designers make between $41K and $61K per year .

If you are interested in a career in the horticulture and landscape industry, you will find lessons and projects in our Sustainable Landscape Design curriculum .

Audio/Sound Effects Engineer

Audio engineers and sound effects professionals are part of production teams in film, animation, game development, television, commercials, and even social media. Sound effect artists create simple or complex sound effects that reinforce the action and feel of a scene. Sound effects work has been around for a very long time. In fact one of the pioneers of sound production’s name, Jack Foley, was the inspiration for the name for those in the industry–”Foley” artists.

A Foley artist in the union is guaranteed a minimum of $2,773.12 a week, or $57.06 an hour, with 48.6 hours guaranteed per week. On average, audio and sound effect engineers can expect to make $64K to $100K per year .

If you are interested in Sound Effects or Audio Engineering as a career, you will find lessons and projects in Game Testing in our Web and Mobile Game Design curriculum , and our Web Animation curriculum .

Video or Mobile Game Tester

Game testing is a crucial part of any game development. They communicate with game developers, coders, and graphic designers to identify and fix playability and game story issues. Many game testers use this step as a way to get hired into game design and game development. Game testers can be employees or independent contractors working hybrid or as remote working professionals.

Game tester positions typically are entry level positions in game development, and therefore new game testers can expect to make less than their game designer, developer, or more senior quality assurance comrades.

The average salary in the US is around $34K, with more experienced testers earning $44K. More experienced quality assurance and video game testers can make up to $79K per year .

If you are interested in being a game tester as a career, you will find lessons and projects in game testing in our Web and Mobile Game Design curriculum .

Zoologist

In this field, you will study the animal kingdom, its structure, and how it interacts with various ecosystems. Let’s not forget to mention that this is the perfect job if you want to spend time with exotic animals! This STEM career can have you working within a zoo, laboratory, or even a classroom. Zoology has many branches to work within, all of which, in some way, incorporate different aspects of STEM.

Some zoologists work to help preserve the life of a certain species of animal, while others may develop books and other educational materials to assist members of a team or research group. There are zoologists who even go on to teach at universities and publish journalistic reports on their discoveries and findings.

A deeper look into the zoology shows how the different aspects of STEM play a major role in being a zoologist. STEM has played a big part in helping zoologists better preserve and care for animal species across the world. The average salary for a Zoologist is $60K per year .

Chef & Flavor Chemist

Chefs are considered the artists of the food world . You could say this takes care of the “A” in STEAM education. What about the STEM part? As a chef or flavor chemist, you will be working with the combination of different food groups and ingredients.

Combining the ingredients into carefully measured portions, and applying the right cooking procedures requires a great deal of skill. You can find a number of accredited degree programs available to become a chef or flavor chemist , and there are a number of institutions dedicated to the culinary arts.

Food science, chemistry, and presentation all show heavy traces of the basic ideas of STEAM education. As a chef, you have many branches you can go into. (such as a pastry chef or fish cook) When it comes to a flavor chemist, it can be very competitive, however.

Chefs can earn anywhere from $25K and up per year , whereas a Flavor Chemist can earn well over $65K a year .

Ethical Hacker

Yes, there are actually good hackers out there ! Ethical hackers help to test security by exploiting a company’s network to find the vulnerabilities. This STEM career is all about the good hackers versus the bad hackers . Be prepared to have extensive knowledge of computer systems.

If you’ve already grown up using computers on a semi advanced level, taking a computer science, networking, or programming course to improve your skills will put you well on your way in this field. This is one of the more important STEM careers in technology, as cyber security is an increasing threat in our evolving digital world.

Over the last 5 years alone, there have been dozens of stories about hackers obtaining sensitive information that they should not have accessed. The need for computer engineers to build the infrastructure is just as important as the need for ethical hackers to find the problems in the infrastructure!

An Ethical Hacker earns an average of $72K per year , but the salary range is large. Some earners report $24K per year , while some have even reported over $100K per year .

3D Printing Engineer

3D printing ( Additive Manufacturing ) has already begun to change our world, and we’ve only just begun to scrape the surface. This industry and its related fields may become some of the most innovative STEM careers over the next decade.

There are already stories of 3D printers printing functioning tools, prosthetic limbs, and even printing homes for people to live in ! There are talks of 3D printers making food, and functioning organs to be implanted into humans. Let’s not forget that it's also cool to show off to your friends that you 3D printed a small trinket.

Today, there aren’t many fields related directly to additive manufacturing or 3D printing. However, there are a number of STEM fields that will greatly benefit your advancement in this career. Knowledge of mechanical and electrical engineering , 3D modeling , and industrial design all play an important role.

The average Additive Manufacturing Engineer salary in the United States range typically falls between $80,719 and $95,305 .

3D printing is one of the more exciting, and new emerging industries we are looking forward to. Look at some of the cool achievements made with 3D printing! Just recently a nearly fully 3D printed rocket (Terran 1 About 85% of the rocket body and all 9 of its nine engines were 3D printed) lifted off from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.

Machine Learning Engineer

Machine learning is another exciting STEM career field pushing our society into the future of artificial intelligence . Hollywood has spooked us with movies about the emergence of self-aware AI. In reality, machine learning is about applying methods to large data sets that personalize and optimize experiences.

There are plenty of machine learning applications that we all use every day but might not be aware of. Whenever you search for something on Google , buy something on Amazon , or browse through Facebook , machine learning is at work to personalize your online experience.

As a machine learning engineer, you will have to deal with a lot of data. Data management skills are a must , and knowledge of programming and computer science are also required. You will be writing algorithms to gather and analyze data. After this, the goal is to autonomously achieve the desired outcome, and continue to adapt.

Ai Robotics Engineer in the United States is $96,474 a year, and the average for a Machine Learning Engineer is $152,000.

Artificial intelligence and machine learning, like 3D printing, will certainly change our world in the near future. Here at CTE Learning , we’ve developed an Artificial Intelligence and Mobile Robotics course to help students learn more about AI.

Did You Know These Were STEAM / STEM Careers?

STEAM / STEM careers are still typically thought of in general terms. However, there are many career paths that we don’t know actually apply to many STEM subjects. STEM and STEAM are all about incorporating the subjects of science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics into old, and new industries. This introduces creative thinking, problem solving, innovation, and growth for the foreseeable future.

STEM’s growing influence in our everyday lives will only continue to become stronger. Next time you’re considering the difficulty of STEM related fields or careers, take another look. You’ll find that STEM is not as narrow as you think, and is always expanding. There is a STEM career out there for you that will help us shape the world of tomorrow.

Texas Industry-Based Certification for Web Animation Available with Curriculum

Mon, 03 Apr 2023 13:10:14 GMT

Give your students an innovative curriculum experience and reward them with an IBC

Texas has a rich history of industry-based certifications (IBC) at the secondary level, and high school industry certifications have been a key part of Texas’ career and technical education for decades.

In Texas, the TEA clearly states that the purpose of the IBC list is to identify certifications that prepare students for success in the workforce, military, or postsecondary education.

Secondary students may earn the Certified Web Animator certification for free as part of the Learn and Earn partnership between WebProfessionalsGlobal.org and CTeLearning.com.

Where Do You Find the IBC listed?

The IBC can be found on the 2025-30 Industry-Based Certification (IBC) List for Public School Accountability list where we find the Web Animator certification.

IBC Code: 967

IBC Title: Certified Web Animator

Certifying Entity Name: WebProfessionalsGlobal.org (previously known as WebProfessionals.org)

One caveat to the list is that the list points to the old professional association website and not the new one. It is the same organization, however, they updated their logo and website in the summer of 2022 to WebProfessionalsGlobal.org.

What makes this IBC from the Web Professionals Global stand out is it comes from a professional association dedicated to building and nurturing all web-based professions through community, education, and certification. This is not a testing company, but instead it is a community of professionals.

Through a special partnership with CTeLearning.com, Web Professionals Global has developed a Learn and Earn program that allows secondary learners to earn an IBC for free. The hard work and sweat equity of the students makes it possible for the certification cost to be underwritten by this innovative partnership. For educators who want to know more about this program, please feel free to contact Steve Waddell at swaddell@ctelearning.com, or use the Information and Demo Request Form .

Let’s hear from teachers and students about their journeys to earn their Web Animator certifications from WebProfessionalsGlobal.org through this innovative partnership.

Engaging the Next Generation

Jadah (educator at Hoehne HS) had this to say about the Animation course and working with CTeLearning: “I have a student I was worried about at first. He just was not motivated to do much of anything in my class. As their teacher, this worried me. I have never seen him excited about anything until yesterday when he started looking at all the things he was going to do in your Animation course. There was joy and excitement all over his face. I am just so happy for all my students. I know some of them have never passed a test with more than a ‘D’ grade. This is huge for them. This curriculum is helping me with all my learners regardless of how they have or have not struggled in the past. They are seeing their futures in a creative career path. They are gaining self-confidence and believing in themselves. Light bulbs are going off in my class every day, and as an educator, that’s what we all live for.”

Using Certifications to Future-Proof Students

Cathy talked about how word is getting around the school about her class: “The Animation class and certifications have created some buzz around school. We're about to start course selection for next year, and I've already had two kids I've never taught before come ask me about it.”

Mark DuBois, Executive Director of Web Professionals Global, said, “Reading about J. and the other students in Cathy’s class makes it all worth it here at Web Professionals Global. We are so proud to support these driven and innovative students as they immerse themselves in the world of animation. The certifications and knowledge they have earned will stay with them forever, no matter what their futures hold. We welcome these new members into our professional association and look forward to being part of their bright futures.”

Students See the Value of an IBC in Animation

We asked some of our students what it was like to showcase the projects they had built on the path to certification. One student said, “My family was impressed, but it was actually more satisfying to watch it with the rest of the class. My parents thought it was cool, but they didn’t understand the work that went into it like my classmates did.” Another remarked, “It was fun to show off my cultural music video, because I put in a lot of inside jokes and things only people from Pakistan would get. But then it was also fun to show it in class, because I could EXPLAIN all the things that only people from Pakistan would get! I liked being able to use a school assignment to show off the things I’m proud of about my culture.” And another student proudly said, “My father was bragging at Christmas that I’m going to graduate high school already having an industry certification in my field, even before I get to college.”

For the Future of the Texas Film Industry, Look to Animation

Dan Solomon of Texas Monthly said, “The film industry in Texas ebbs and flows, often depending on the legislative support for the Texas Film Commission and its incentives program—but animation, which is growing on the production side, and which tends to have more stable and predictable work patterns due to set location and longer-term projects, is all growth right now. With an expanding pool of talent and steady work, animation is a promising path forward for the Texas film industry.”

Interested in equipping your students for their educational and professional futures?

Contact us to find out more about how your students can earn third-party certifications from a professional organization that is also a SkillsUSA official partner and O*Net ally.

Highlighting a Success Story at a Florida Public Charter School

Wed, 01 Mar 2023 23:47:37 GMT

Today we are highlighting one of our teachers, Karimah Grayson of SunEd High School in Margate, FL. SunEd High is a public charter school serving students for whom the traditional high school model may not be the best fit. SunEd students earn their full high school diplomas, not GEDs. SunEd High School adopted the courses after the principal Tammy Lara and her team vetted the courses and determined the curricula to deploy.

Karimah teaches CTeLearning’s Web Design , Web and Computer Animation , and Web and Mobile Game Design courses to over 100 students in both morning and afternoon sessions.

Karimah loves that the professionals featured in the courses are diverse and help her students see themselves in their career pathways. We caught up with her as well as one of her students to hear about their experiences working through the courses.

Teacher Perspective

What have the students enjoyed about the learning experience?

They really like being able to move in their own time and not have to move together as a class, because everyone learns at their own pace. I will use the Web Animation course as an example. The curriculum lets students create their own animations. Their projects, animations, music, sound effects files and portfolios reflect their personalities and their skills. They can see all their choices they made in their creative work.

I know this may seem simple, but for example, in the Web Design course, they are doing their first HTML code with the “Hello World” project. My students get so excited when they see that the code they created is popping up in the browser. Again it may be such a simple thing, but in each of your curricula, the students are creating things right from the start. It engages them, and it shows them success immediately. They know they can do it. So it shows them that something is going to happen in the class and it is going to be exciting. It is tangible evidence that what they’re doing is working.

What do you tell your students about the importance of education?

I tell them that although not everyone ends up going to college, but all of you must become lifelong learners. I let them know that there are careers that were not even thought about when I was in high school. I graduated high school a long time ago, back in the 1980s, and there was no game design or web design. So what I tell my students is important. I teach them about how each of the programs that they’re in can lead them to entrepreneurship. I make sure they understand that they are learning skills that transfer to any career. So even if they are not interested in going to college, or working with someone, they have a skill set that they can bring to others.

And here is how I make this sink into the teenage mind. I tell them to look around, right now in our class, you can see that you have a network of others who are learning new skills like web design, animation, and game design. I tell them that there may be a famous tech company starting right here in our class. Nobody says you have to work for someone else. Be an entrepreneur. Think of the power sitting here in this room right now. So that’s one of the things that I’m encouraging, in addition to using all the project-based curriculum and software that is provided. I toss in some inspiration.

Can you give us an example of one of the projects your students have worked on?

The real world is multidisciplinary. For example, look at the Flying Monkey project. What I did for them is talk about the project. I laid out what we are going to do, and then I asked them who had taken their physical science class yet. Then I show them that this project is really real-world physics in disguise. I tell them I know none of them have taken physics, but they have the physical science in their hands with the monkey and protractor. I said, this is what you learn. It is a fun project and they do the data collection, graphing and analysis. By the way, I was the worst at flinging the monkey.

I had them pick their teams, assign the team tasks and do the experiment. They were doing science and analysis and loving it. I mean how often do you get students enjoying collecting, analyzing and using data? The real fun happened a few lessons later, when they were building a game with a frog that was flying through the air. At that point it all came together for them about how science is part of building games. There were light bulbs going off all over the place, which is what every teacher lives for.

What do your students enjoy about hearing from industry professionals in the courses?

I know the students like seeing the videos of different professionals, because we have a very diverse student population. The diversity of career professionals helps the students see, “I can do this too.” They can see themselves in the faces and voices of all the professionals you have in every one of your courses. You may not realize just how important that is.

What are your students learning about entrepreneurship?

This is very important these days, because a lot of students are looking into entrepreneurship. I think that is a good thing, because, as I say, our country was built on entrepreneurship, and what I do tell them about entrepreneurship, you still have to have to be professional. Because if you are an entrepreneur but not professional, you’re just gonna be an entrepreneur and probably a broke one at that. Entrepreneurs have clients and customers, and have to earn money from someone. We must always remember that we are in service to others.

What do you teach your students about being lifelong learners?

My students tell me I have a catchphrase, which is “figure it out.” Something in a project happens, and they struggle with something. I say, look, we have all been here, it is confusing now, but we’ll figure it out. Your team will figure it out. I mean, because we will work it through and see. And that’s what I’m trying to share with my students. I won’t always be there for them. I need them to think for themselves if they are going to succeed and do well for themselves and their families. The combination of all the videos, text, images, and animations really helps my students figure things out. It is a confidence builder. They use the tools and info to solve the problem. They build self-esteem here in my program, one “figure it out” at a time.

How has your experience been working with CTeLearning?

I really appreciate the support. Because multiple times I’ve messaged you, every five minutes, oh, I need this. And you get on it, you identify what I’m asking, and you make it work. And not only do you make it work, you communicate back with me that it’s been done. You’re very approachable. And if something is needed, you will provide it for me. I even appreciate that we got the onboarding when we first started, and you had the live introduction with both sets of my students. So I am very thankful for the support.

Student Perspective

What do you like about that course?

I like the idea that I can make my own games. I’m getting the basics. As I’m building, I learn where to start, how to be a professional, set the game mechanics, set the pages, make the sound effects, music, and characters. I am even learning how to build a company and sell my games.

What do you think about all the professionals you’re meeting in the course?

They’re really helpful. I like the idea of having them in there. Hearing what they think is important. They give you certain ideas and help you think outside the box. They also make you think outside the box for yourself. You are getting their wisdom and using it.

Is there anything you’ve been learning in your game design class that you’ve taken and applied in some of your other academic classes like math or others?

Actually, it has. We do so much in Ms. Grayson’s clas s. We are doing math, science, and writing because it is what you do when you are making games. I don’t remember exactly what it was, but yesterday I was in another class, and I was doing something, and I was like, “Oh, wow, I did that before in my game class.” Ms. Grayson’s class makes it all real to me.

What do you want to tell your teacher and the administrators who made it possible for you to take this class?

I would like to say thank you to Ms. Lara (Tammy Lara, Lead Principal and Director of Education) and everyone else who made this course possible for me and my classmates. I don’t feel like just saying thank you will be good enough. I feel like there should be more than just saying thank you. Because, like, it takes a lot for them to just do all this for us. So a lot of appreciation is coming to them. They didn’t have to get this set up for us, but they did, so that means a lot.

Are you going to try to get the industry certification?

Yes I am working hard to earn my certification. Ms. Grayson has told us how certifications help set us up for our futures. This class makes me feel good. I will have more than just my high school diploma, because this is something that will set me apart. Whatever I decide to do for my work and my career, I will have this. I mean, I am already here at school. This opportunity is here. So, instead of doing nothing, I am doing something for myself and my future. Yeah, it’s a lot of fun. So I’m enjoying it.

Article on North HS ECASD by Madeline Fuerstenberg, The Leader-Telegram, Eau Claire, WI

Tue, 14 Feb 2023 13:55:00 GMT

We wanted to highlight an article published by Madeline Fuerstenberg in the Leader-Telegram in Eau Claire, WI that highlights a student and teacher we work with at North High School. Lindsey K. is the first student in Wisconsin to earn the Web Animator Certificate from Web Professionals Global .

It is a great article, and Madeline discusses the requirements for earning the certification: “In order to obtain the animator certification, an examinee must demonstrate basic knowledge of animation concepts; drawing and creation tools; audio, marketing, accessibility, animation project management; and ethics and legal issues during a 70-question, hour-long exam.”

The good news is with the new Learn and Earn model that teacher Doug Devine applied with Lindsey K, she earned the certification without taking the exam through her hard work. This is one of the ways Web Professionals Global is working to improve opportunities for all secondary students to earn those first critical industry credentials that help to open the doors to a student for their chosen career pathway.

Typically students would take the exam, however, our new model allows students to forego the exam for completing the course fully and following all the requirements building real-world projects. Additionally, the certification fees are underwritten through a partnership between the Web Professionals Global Organization, CTeLearning and other contributing web professionals.

Thank you again to the Leader-Telegram for the terrific article. It is so nice to see regional journalism highlighting the great work Wisconsin educators are doing and how their students are thriving.

Steve

Celebrating Ten Years of Game Design with a NJ High School

Wed, 01 Feb 2023 09:52:00 GMT

West Morris Central High School in New Jersey first deployed our Video Game Design course back in 2013. Two teachers later, they are still a powerhouse in game design. We recently caught up with John Takacs, who teaches the Web and Mobile Game Design course at West Morris Central. West Morris Central is the home of a high-performing STEM and CTE program including Coding and Computer Science, Robotics, Music Production, 3D Modeling, and Computer Programming and Game Design.

In our chats with students, we discovered that many were curious about how to become a game tester. Fortunately, we have friends in the industry and we worked to create a whole section on what it means to be a game tester, how to become a game tester and created a “test a long” where the students test a buggy game version alongside the professional. game tester.

The biggest change this year was the new partnership allowing teachers to have their students “Learn and Earn” an industry-based certification through Web Professionals Global . Students get to put in sweat equity to earn the certification as they work through the curriculum. At the end of the course, the teacher goes through a simple checklist and then the students can submit a code to download their international industry-based certification directly from Web Professionals Global.

John is in his second year teaching the Web and Mobile Game Design course. Read on to hear what John and his students have been up to and how they are enjoying these updates to the curriculum.

What do you like about the Web and Mobile Game Design curriculum?

The embedded industry-recognized certifications are a bonus and a no-brainer. This was a big factor when I went to my BOE for purchase approval. Every CTE educator is focused on the real world and doing the best for our students. Whether my students go on to a four-year college, tech school or straight into industry, I know that industry-recognized certifications matter on a resume or college application. I tell my students to look for ways to distinguish themselves and stand out in the crowd, and the embedded international industry-recognized certifications can be a game-changer for students.

Is it getting easier or harder to be a teacher?

It is getting harder to be a teacher because I am tired of constantly re-inventing and re-authoring my courses of study. The CTeLearning courses and their pre-written curriculum is a massive time saver.

It can be difficult getting funding for new curriculum. What did you see about the CTeLearning curriculum that stuck out to you as valuable?

The personalized tech support is worth its weight in gold. I don’t need to worry about FAQs and audio menus and robotic chats.

What does it mean to you to have a curriculum that requires less prep? Does this give you more time to focus on students and enjoy teaching more?

I enjoy not having to plan my course content. Teachers know what I mean by this. The reward of this curriculum was I get to be the teacher and do what I love, which is working with my students, helping them concentrate on their projects, focusing on the design process, and seeing my students produce their games. In teacher-speak, that means having fun.

The updates are terrific. My students love the new games and are completely engaged in the curriculum. They are also really loving the new section on game testing. They think it is so cool that they are learning from professionals who are in the industry.

What do you think about CTeLearning’s “legendary educator support” claim?

Their support is very accessible. Emails are responded to in hours (sometimes minutes) instead of days. In many instances, I was able to call and talk to someone on the development team immediately and resolve my issues. When I was worried about being ready for a class on Monday, they met me via Zoom on a Sunday. It is rare to find that kind of support these days.

What do you think is different about working with CTeLearning?

With CTeLearning you get access to their software designers and authors because they really have no salespeople. As a teacher it is rare that you ever get to talk directly to the people who create the curriculum, let alone give them suggestions and then see your suggestions in place just a few hours or few days later. It gives me confidence in what I am teaching, and I know that my experience as a teacher matters to them. With 30 years of teaching experience in many different software environments in the private and public sectors, I give CTeLearning five stars.

What type of curriculum were you looking for?

Every teacher knows that students are learning differently following the changes that occurred in education due to COVID-19. Put simply, they are having a more challenging time re-engaging in learning. I was looking to find a curriculum with that extra spark to get my students hooked, and I found it in this Web Game Design curriculum. We also needed something that fit our existing computer programming and game design class. CTeLearning’s new Web Game Design course fits our course requirements like a glove.

Was there anything new you did for your students this year?

CTeLearning partnered with the Web Professionals Organization and created a set of certifications/micro-credentials for remote working. I put all my students through the curriculum and they earned their Remote Working Professional certifications—the international professional organization for all things web. They learned what it means to be professional, work remotely, and be successful in that environment. Actually, I took the certification too. The course also went over interviewing skills and the fundamentals of being a freelancer—or what the students learned is a ‘solopreneur.’ I could see the light bulbs going off as my students went through the course. I wish we had done it before the pandemic, but now my students are ready for whatever comes their way at school or in the workplace—whether in-person or remote.

Learn How Our Curriculum Can Help You and Your Students

Are you a teacher or administrator looking to equip your students with certifications and micro-credentials for their futures? Contact us directly at 913-764-4272 or swaddell@ctelearning.com for a free demo.

Q&A With Our First Animation Certification Program in Colorado

Tue, 31 Jan 2023 22:49:00 GMT

Teachers love to see students excel. In secondary education, they always are looking for ways to get their students to engage in class. This has become especially true in the post-COVID environment where getting students to re-engage has become more difficult. Oftentimes students feel that there is little relevance for them at school. Through exposure to various career pathways, students learn about new opportunities that they didn’t even know existed.

Today we are highlighting one of our schools in Colorado, Hoehne School District in Trinidad. Jadah Morrison is a K-12 art teacher who is teaching our Web Animation curriculum to her class. In addition to the knowledge and certification through Web Professionals Global the students earn through the course, they end up getting much more.

So often students and their parents will forget what the “A” in STEAM education stands for. As educators, we know it stands for Art. But sometimes the other letters in STEAM get all the attention. It’s often difficult to envision what a career in “A” really means.

However, as an Art teacher, Jadah brings a unique perspective to her classroom. She provides students with context for how the Art aspect can fit into and complement STEAM. Her class, which is classified in the Arts, Audio/Video Technology and Communication career cluster, is also making relevant connections through the interactive projects to Education, Engineering, Health and Marketing career clusters. Students are seeing firsthand how art and technology can come together in the exciting career pathway of animation.

We chatted with Jadah and one of her Animation students, Ken, to hear about their experiences with the Animation curriculum.

Student Perspective

Ken, what are some things that you really like about this animation course?

I had never done an animation class before. I like that I l earn all the fundamentals. It has made me think of animation as a possible career in the future.

What were some of your favorite projects so far in the course?

My favorite was the game slab. It is where we help a company launch a new product, and we create the animated commercial for it. In animation, you can make whatever you want.

How did the game slab project help you understand how animation is used in the real world?

I remember Skylander animation commercials from back when I was little. The projects in this course have made me understand more about how animation actually works and what it is like as a job.

Did this project-based curriculum make you feel differently about coming to school and working in school and that kind of stuff?

Yeah, I love coming to this class. Because you know, much of school is like the same old same old school. As a student, I don’t always see how school is going to help my future. Now I get to animate, I am building skills, and I am understanding how the industry works. I have found a passion for animation.

What would you say is more important in life and in career–talent or passion?

I say passion, because you want to keep on doing it. And then you keep on producing and gaining more talent. I could have the talent to play the violin or something. But I’ll never want to do it because it’s not my passion. This animation class will definitely help out my career in the future instead of just going to school and doing the same old same old for things I am not passionate about.

What did you like about hearing from animation professionals?

It gives me a better understanding of animation and a sense that these are the professionals, like a trusted source basically. I could tell they are not just not doing it for money or fame or whatever. They were like me, normal people who have a creative passion. One professional talked about how he still has the passion after doing it for twenty years and wants to keep on doing it for the rest of his life. I feel the same way.

What did your family have to say when you told them you are taking the course?

I told them that I’m taking a class that will help my career in animation and game designing. They said it was great and joked with me to just make sure I don’t mess it up. They can see how much I am interested in this, and I am fortunate how much they support me and my goals. My whole family really wants me to stay on my career pathway and do my own thing.

What would you like to say to the administrators, principal and your teacher who made this class possible for you?

I definitely thank them. My teacher, my principal and everyone really wants me to have this career opportunity. So I don’t, you know, have to struggle on my own. I also have the opportunity to earn my first industry certification. This is how I’m thinking about this: let’s say I want to work for, I’ll say, Blizzard Entertainment. That company would be a good option for me as they create games and need heavy animation. If I have, let’s say, a high school diploma and “A”s in my classes, they will likely say come back to us when you graduate from college. If I earn my industry certification, they still might not hire me quite yet, but Blizzard or any employer will know for sure that I’m not just gonna mess around. I have chosen a career that matches my interests and passion and I have proof.

What would you tell another student who was thinking about taking this class?

I would just tell them to go in there and do it. Because like, there’s no wrong answer. It’s like you’re gonna do it and you’re just gonna learn and the animations you don’t have to be good at it. It’s going to teach you to be good at it. But I would also tell them that next year they are starting the Web and Mobile Game class too, and it has an industry certification too.

Any other overall comments on the class?

You can learn a lot just on your own watching YouTube. And that was ok when I was just starting. But now with Ms. Morrison’s class, I can work on real projects and get to really practice because I am learning all the fundamentals, like the 12 animation principles. Unlike all the YouTube stuff I did at home, here in her class, I can learn it perfectly. It’s explained thoroughly and everything, and Ms. Morrison is great. And in the curriculum I am learning from professionals who actually have years of experience in the industry.

Teacher Perspective

Jadah, what has your experience been like teaching the course?

I really think that being a more hands on art teacher, you know , I’d rather play in clay and ink and paint and get dirty. As far as animation goes, I’m a complete and total newbie. But these kids already know what’s going on. I am loving all the hands-on aspects of the course. I am seeing those creative lights coming on in my students’ eyes. I am loving it.

What do you like about how the Animation curriculum teaches soft skills?

It is great that the curriculum helps me to give the students these technical skills, but my class is also about the soft skills that employers want. The projects and animation professionals help with the soft skills. The modules cover the full range of the career pathway including sound effects, audio engineering, storyboarding, project management, ethics, and critical thinking skills. This gives me confidence knowing my students are becoming whole learners who one day will be whole professionals. Having both technical knowledge as well as real-world soft skills is so important for students to have.

What have you seen the students learn in the course?

As Ken mentioned, all the projects have allowed me to hel p the students see not only the type of work they could do in the career field but how their work helps others. In this case, they see how their talent and creativity could help a start-up company launch. I know that we all think that entertainment is where animation and art jobs are. But there is so much more opportunity outside of the big studios with art and animation for marketing, training, design, engineering, and much more.

We are excited that due to the success of this course you are expanding your partnership with CTeLearning. Can you tell us more about that?

My principal and I have been so pleased with the success of our animation course that we are adding the Web and Mobile Game Design curriculum next year. This means that next year, Ken will have the chance to earn a second certification, and since these certifications stack, he will have even more upper level credentials to take with him into his next career steps whether that means industry or on to additional education. I am excited about adding the new class and I joke with Ken that it is all his fault. I am already getting students asking about the animation course and the new game course for next year. It is so much fun to see my program grow.

What would you tell other teachers who are considering implementing this course?

I have a couple of students in the class that are about like me, they’re just really not tech savvy. They are learning and being successful at learning just like me. But then you have Ken and other students who’ve already done a lot of this stuff. So I do depend on him to kind of guide his classmates. But the kids coming up, they know how to do this stuff. For us not to offer that to them would be crazy. And if anybody doesn’t try this, they’re nuts.

Any final thoughts?

The Web Animation curriculum has benefited the school in many ways. Hoehne is a small school, so I have all of the grades and no money to buy the things we need. The older kids suffer because we do lots of coloring and paper projects. I don’t have the facilities for screen printing, jewelry, pottery, etc. This animation class has opened the door for all the kids that don’t take art because they want to do more than draw and paint. It is so cost-effective. It also helps because I don’t have to store a bunch of supplies. I am growing my classes, introducing students to real career opportunities in art and helping students to discover their creative talents and passions. Thanks to you and your team for making this possible.

Wrap-Up

When I found out that Jadah was a big fan of the How To Train Your Dragon films, I knew that she would enjoy teaching this curriculum. We even were able to get the Head of Character Animation for the HTTYD series, to send Jadah’s class a personalized message encouraging them in their animation journey. I have found the teachers who still have that playful spark in them just love this course. All of the team here at CTeLearning had so much fun creating this. The chance to work with and learn from so many professionals just made this course development a bit magical at times. Like Ken said, passion is so important. This course really stirred up the passion in all of us here. Thanks to Jadah and Ken for taking the time to give us insights into what they think about our work. Contact us today at 913-764-4272 or hello@ctelearning.com if you are interested in learning how CTeLearning can help you engage your students with exciting career pathways.

Wisconsin Student Receives New Animation Pathway Industry Certification

Wed, 25 Jan 2023 19:01:00 GMT

Doug Devine is a career and technical education teacher at North High School in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. We caught up with Doug when one of his students, Lindsey, became the first high school student in Wisconsin to receive the Web Animator industry certification from Web Professionals Global. We asked Doug if we could do a quick article on him, and he thought it would be nice to include Lindsey’s point of view. How could we resist? Enjoy hearing from Doug and Lindsey.

Doug says, “I have been working with CTeLearning for over 12 years now, so when you have chosen to use a company’s curriculum for that long, it shows what you think about their curricula and service. But what I think is much more interesting than my thoughts on how a curriculum works is to hear from my students. So, I asked Lindsey to respond to some questions and here is what she had to say about the course. She has already passed the class and received the industry certification, so there is no reason for her to try to get points with me at this point.”

Doug continued, “I found what she said to be enlightening, but I wasn’t surprised. She is mirroring what most of my students have to say about this course. Let’s hear her thoughts.”

What do you like about the Web and Computer Animation course?

I really enjoyed how thorough the entire course was! It was incredibly hands-on, and there was never a lesson where I wasn’t learning!

How has the course helped you realize how much fun learning can be?

This course has definitely reignited my love for learning. It wasn’t a series of lectures, but a bunch of hands-on activities where I could apply what I’d learned to a live situation by making anywhere from a ten-second advertisement to a minute-long commercial! It helped me realize what I was capable of, both individually and as a part of a team.

What would you say to other students who may be interested in learning animation through this course?

I would absolutely encourage anybody who’s considering animation, even if they aren’t sure, to take the course. You don’t only learn about the technical skills, but you also learn how to use your creativity to the fullest!

In the course, you got to hear from many different professionals. What do you like about hearing professionals discuss what they do and give you pro tips on how to be a great animator?

Getting professional advice and tips from those who actually work in the field was extremely helpful! It also allowed me to realize that my dream is achievable; becoming a professional animator is one of my biggest goals in life, and this course is my first step.

What did your friends or family say when you showed them the animations you created?

They were incredibly impressed with my progress! Even though it was only a semester-long course, t he exponential progression I’d made within my animations in that short period of time was incredible.

What did your friends and family say when you told them that you were the first high school student in WI to get this certification?

They were incredibly proud! My family has always been a huge support system throughout my entire life and has always known that animation is my dream career, so the moment I completed the course wasn’t only fulfilling for me, but for them as well.

What do you want to say to Mr. Devine and your principal about making this course available to you and your fellow students?

I’d love to truly thank everyone for being so helpful and cooperative! The people around me continued to push me and encourage me every step of the way. Mr. Devine knew how much this animation course meant to me, as becoming an animator is my dream job, so he always made sure to stay on top of my assignments and help to motivate me!

Doug also said, “As a career and technical education teacher, you live to see those moments when you know you have helped a student discover more about their talents and passions and realize that they have what it takes to be successful in their career pathway. Teaching is hard, and most of us will admit that many times we don’t hear the thank yous, but we are not in it for the money, the fame, or the thank yous. You become a teacher to give your students a better chance at success. I had so many teachers who helped me growing up that I never said thank you to. But now, as a teacher, I look back, and I see that I am carrying on the work, and in that way I am saying thank you to all of my past teachers.”

Our lead developer at CTeLearning, Steve Waddell, said, “I was very excited to find out that one of Doug’s students was the first in the state to get the certification. I know there will be more from Eau Claire in the future, as they have a very robust CTE program in their district. I just wanted to say on behalf of the CTeLearning team a big congratulations to Lindsey and Doug. Also, this is the first year Doug has taught the Web Animation course. Prior to this he has always taught our Video Game Design course, and so kudos to him for knocking it out of the park.”

Mark DuBois, Executive Director of Web Professionals Global, said, “We here at Web Professionals Global are thrilled that Lindsey is the first recipient of our Web Animator certification in Wisconsin. Lindsey and her teacher Doug realize how important it is for students to earn certifications and future-proof themselves for the professional world and global economy. Again, congrats to Lindsey for a job well done and Doug for doing a great job teaching this course and guiding his students.”

Interested in Learning More?

Reach out to us today for information on any of our courses. In just a free 20-minute demo we can show you how we can help you in the classroom. Contact us at 913-764-4272 or hello@ctelearning.com for a free demo of any of our courses .

How One Teacher is Introducing Students to the World of Animation

Tue, 24 Jan 2023 20:37:00 GMT

One of our most popular courses is our Web and Computer Animation course . Today we are highlighting Cathy C., who teaches the course at Pennsbury High School West in Fairless Hills, PA. In her first year teaching this course she has already seen the impact it has on students in engaging them and getting them to think about possible career pathways.

Cathy’s students are the first in Pennsylvania to earn Web Animator certifications from Web Professionals Global . She has had nine students earn certifications so far this year. We caught up with Cathy to hear about her experience so far with the Animation course.

How have you enjoyed teaching the Web and Computer Animation course?

The biggest thing that I love about this class is so many assignments that students do in school only have one right answer. And it’s a game of who can get the most right answers. I tell students on the first day of school, when you walk into my class, there is no right answer. There might be a few wrong answers, but there are no right answers. And if you come up with a solution I’ve never seen before, that’s called innovation. That’s what drives this industry. So I love giving students an opportunity to have something that’s very open ended and creative. And I like that a lot of the projects allowed students to bring their personal stories in. For example, the culturally responsive music video (project) had some really personal stories. And it got the students talking about their own cultures and sharing things with each other that the rest of us didn’t know. So that was really neat to see. But even some of the simpler ones like the parallax animation, even though it was a minor assignment, still allowed students to bring their unique personalities and senses of humor to it. And it was really neat to see their relief of not having to conform to the one right answer. As the teacher, it’s a relief to know that I no longer had to own the knowledge as the students were doing that.

What does it mean to get your students “future-ready?”

One of the big initiatives in Pennsylvania is getting students “future-ready.” This is the idea that all students should leave high school with 21st-century skills. Even if they’re not intending to go into a computer science field, there’s a recognition that every field involves computers in some way. And so there’s a real emphasis towards growing computer science in general. And there’s a sense that it should be not just rigorous, but also meaningful. The industry certifications have been a really big part of that. They provide a real legitimacy to the course, both from the perspective of school administration and from the perspective of the students themselves. It really proves to the students that they did something. They can get an “A” in a lot of courses, but to get an industry-recognized certification gives them legitimacy in the world at large. It’s something they can put on their college applications and job resumes.

How cool has it been to see the impact that the course has had on students?

It’s been great because the students have been extremely excited using the course. They really found it engaging, something different, and a real break from the grind of the rest of their day. And it’s nice to have a place where they can just come and be creative and do something they genuinely enjoy.

What do the students like about sharing their projects with each other?

It’s always so much fun for me to give one assignment and see the diversity of the student work. We have a small class, and so I was able to project everyone’s animation work on the screen. And that was the thing that students looked forward to the most. They loved to show off what they had done, but also see what others had done. And we had some really fun feedback days where they were playing off of each other’s ideas and showing their creativity and sense of humor. And that was really the most fun part of the course for me as well as for them. This was one of the ways I was able to inspire a sense of team in my class. Seeing my students own the knowledge and then help each other is the way the real world works. I just love it.

One of your students didn’t have many academic interests before discovering this course–what has it been like seeing him finally engaged in something he enjoys?

He has had some learning struggles and he just kept saying, “I’m not creative. I can’t do this. My mother is making me take it.” Now he’s one of my top students, and he found out that he really is creative. He comes at problems with such an unusual viewpoint, and the other students can’t wait to see his work because it’s always something completely out of left field. He’s discovering that this thing that he always thought was his biggest limitation is actually an asset, and he loves it.

What do you enjoy about the teaching world compared to working in industry?

I always tell kids the story that I took a pay cut to leave a job where I woke up every morning trying to come up with an excuse to call out. At some point, if you’re not doing what you love, the money is no is no longer worth it to you. And that’s why I try to expose kids to something where they can make their own path that they enjoy. Because ultimately, I don’t care what the salaries are. If you don’t love it, you’re not going to do it. I really love what I do as a teacher.

What would you say to other teachers who are interested in teaching this course?

Deploying the animation course and working with CTeLearning is a fantastic experience for the teacher. One of the biggest advantages is working directly with the developers instead of a salesperson. This means I’m always speaking directly with someone who knows the program, and who can answer questions and address any issues with speed and accuracy. The resources are all there to be able to lead the class. I really had everything that I needed for the students to get started. It was so rewarding, but there are a lot of moving parts with this. And the units require a lot of different mindsets and a lot of different approaches because the content is very wide ranging. So having an organization is really important. One of the most rewarding things is allowing the students to be creative. I enjoy encouraging my students to take an idea and go down that rabbit hole, do that crazy thing, because then it turns out to be something incredible.

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Are you a teacher looking for exciting and engaging curriculum for your students? Contact us at 913-764-4272 or hello@ctelearning.com for a free demo of any of our courses .

Why Are More Contractors Being Hired in Tech?

Mon, 02 Jan 2023 18:51:00 GMT

LinkedIn recently published an article discussing the trend of companies in the tech world shifting toward hiring contractors instead of full-time employees. Because we here at CTeLearning work with secondary students and adult learners who are seeking to enter the tech world, we took notice of this trend. So why is this happening?

First, let’s look at some of the pros and cons of being a contractor as opposed to a full-time employee.

What are the pros?

And what are some of the cons?

Put simply, more companies are turning to contractors because they can be hired at a lower cost than full-time employees. In this tough economic environment, tech companies have engaged in mass layoffs. However, work still needs to be done. Companies use contractors to continue to run operations without the added cost of retirement benefits, healthcare benefits, and more. Additionally, many contractors work remotely, which saves companies on overhead costs like office space and utilities.

Companies also have more flexibility when they hire contractors. A contractor-heavy workforce allows companies to rapidly scale up and down as business needs and goals shift throughout the year. The tech world is constantly changing, and companies in Silicon Valley and beyond are likely to continue relying heavily on contract employees. If you work in tech, or would like to work in tech, consider if contract opportunities might be right for you. As we discussed, there are upsides and downsides to both contact work and full-time employment. Our work with Web Professionals Global prepares secondary students and adult learners to enter careers in the world of web.

Our founder, Steve, has this to say about contractors: “ In almost twenty years of running CTeLearning I have relied heavily on contractors to get projects done. In fact, some of our courses were built by dozens of contractors whom I brought on for expertise. Being able to hire contractors to complement my team members has reaped benefits for our company and all of our customers around the country.

“Using contractors does not mean you have a disposable workforce. In my experience, you want to develop meaningful relationships just like you do with full-time employees. A long-term contractor who understands and values your company’s mission will always be an asset. Whenever you onboard a new contractor you need to guide them so they understand how your organization does, thinks and communicates. Investing in long-term relationships with contractors allows you to do less onboarding overall and more creating and working. It makes for a better product. I know people who just hire contractors and forget about them after the work is done. But I think that is a mistake. Although not every contractor you hire will be a winner, it’s important to invest in the good ones for the long term. Worst case? They don’t work out. Best case? They become a valued part of the team who you know you can call on and trust for a long time.”

Learn More

Are you interested in becoming an independent contractor or working remotely? Check out our Remote Working Professional Course . In just four hours you will learn how to be a productive remote worker, get clients on your own, and ace job interviews. Contact us today at 913-764-4272 or swaddell@ctelearning.com to find out how we can help you in your career journey.

The post Why Are More Contractors Being Hired in Tech? appeared first on CTeLearning .

What Do Students Have to Say About the Web Game Design Course?

Thu, 29 Dec 2022 21:32:00 GMT

You may remember how a few months ago we featured an article highlighting Tracy Curry , who is the Technology Teacher and Yearbook Advisor at S&S Consolidated ISD in Sadler, TX. Tracy is currently teaching the CTeLearning Web Game Design course to her students.

Read on to hear what students are saying about our Web Game Design course. If you are a teacher, parent or student interested in bringing the course to your school, contact us today.

Student Feedback

One of the activities is the Flying Monkey Experience, in which students capture data, graph it and make predictions using the graphed information. Naturally this is a very cross curricular activity, which is one of the primary reasons we at CTeLearning created it. But you never know where a student will apply his or her new skills in other classes. When asked about how this class has helped him in other classes, Cameron said “It helped me track data in economics.” Makenzie chimed in to say, “I have learned more about graphing and visual learning. This has helped me a lot in Math class.” Sometimes it is easy to forget how much core academics are supported, reinforced and made contextual through career and technical education curriculum.

In game design, story is very important for engaging the target audience. Many of the projects incorporate the need for the learner to think creatively about story and engagement. Learning how to write creatively, in context, can help students improve their overall written communication skills. Wesley said, “The text adventure helped me the most with English by letting me refine my storytelling skills.” This makes sense, as creative writing starts with great brainstorming. Dylan had this to say: “The course has helped me learn to come up with ideas on the spot rather than taking more time.” And Tristen said, “I like how it has taught me how to code.”

Sometimes administrators and district coordinators don’t realize how students think of the work and choices they make. Gavin had this to say to the administration about the course opportunity: “I would like to say thank you and all the people that have contributed for making this possible, not only for me, but for others, as well. Video games have been a long-term passion of mine and I would like to expand on it in the future, and this class I’m taking will help achieve that. Thank you and everyone who has contributed.” Dylan chimed in too: “This is much better than the coding class last year because it is more in depth with the gaming side of coding.” And Hector said, “Thank you for giving me this class to have fun and learn from.”

Other students talked about why they like the course so much. Gavin said, “T he thing I enjoy most about video game design is having the ability to expand my creativity. This class easily makes me satisfied because not only do I get to have more creativity than usual, but I also get to use that in my passion for video games.” Jason said, “ I like that I get to keep my work.” How often does a teacher hear that students want to keep their work to share with their family and friends? We are so proud when we hear these sentiments from students.

We know that teachers listen to students, and we asked what advice students would give to other teachers who are considering teaching the course. Logan said, “They should teach Video Game Design because it’s fun, it’s an enjoyable class, you can be creative, and there is a whole different world when it comes to video game design.” And Makenzie said, “ We have a good time while getting good work done. There are lots of brilliant minds that work together in every class and we help each other.”

These students really do realize the importance of earning industry certifications. James said, “Having an industry certification s hows that I can work hard, do what is expected of me, and show that I can take on any tasks.”

Work With Us

Tracy’s class is just one of many around the country that is flourishing in the Video Game Design curriculum. Reach out to us today at 913-764-4272 or swaddell@ctelearning.com to learn how we can help.

A Conversation About Entering a Post-Military Career in Web Design

Tue, 06 Dec 2022 17:48:00 GMT

Here at CTeLearning, we are so proud of our work with MyCAA students. MyCAA is the My Career Advancement Account, a Department of Defense program that offers assistance for military members and spouses for continued education. One of our MyCAA students is Kiaizah P., who recently completed our Web Design curriculum and earned her Certified Web Designer Associate certificate from Web Professionals Global at the end of the course.

Kiaizah currently works as a logistics specialist for the National Guard and is transitioning into her post-military career. As she began to consider life after the military, she looked at how she could transfer her skills into a new and exciting career pathway. She found the Web Design course and completed it to begin preparing for her professional life as a civilian. We caught up with her to hear about her experience and plans for the future.

How did you become interested in web design and the Web Design course?

I was interested in this course because I wanted to try something new while transitioning out of the military. I have no experience with web design at all, so I was really interested in learning more about it. So I was happy to find your course, and it has been going well so far. I really like when things look pretty and attractive, which is what drew me to web design. I enjoy using websites that are pleasing and easy to use, but there are so many out there that are difficult to use. Often I will have to leave a site because it is too difficult to use. I want to work on and create websites that are user-friendly.

Did you have any concerns when planning this transition from the military back to civilian life?

I was concerned about a lack of opportunity in the civilian world. While there is plenty of opportunity in the military world I knew that I didn’t want to stay in logistics, which is my current field. And I have been in the military for so many years. So I was kind of panicking and freaking out and asking myself, “What can I do?” The biggest thing for me was just reaching out and seeing what resources are out there for military members like myself. There are many opportunities for education and employment as well as partnerships to help out. They weren’t right in front of me, but I used Google and just went out and found them for myself. I also realized that I had transferable skills from the military that I can use in my civilian life. That’s what I would recommend for anyone else who is looking for a career change post-military.

How was your experience working through the Web Design course?

I really enjoyed it, because I was nervous about doing online learning. I am used to being very hands-on when learning. I also didn’t know how it would go being self-paced. But I love how the course has text and video explanations for everything to make it easier to understand. And after I learned something new, I was able to immediately practice it with the coding sandbox feature. This allowed me to really take my time and learn each step.

Did you enjoy hearing from industry professionals throughout the course?

It was great hearing different points of view from industry professionals. I appreciate hearing from those with years of experience because it can be a bit intimidating and overwhelming learning something completely new in which I have no experience. Hearing from other professionals about how they didn’t know everything at first and had obstacles to overcome was really helpful. It’s motivating to know that there are other people who went through what I am going through now

What would your advice be to other military members who are considering getting into a creative career?

I would tell them to not put pressure on themselves, because it will be much easier to succeed this way. When learning something new, it often feels like it is important to know everything, study all the time and pass tests with flying colors. Of course it is important to do all of this, but you can do so without overwhelming yourself.

What was it like working with the CTeLearning team?

It was an awesome experience. I want to thank you, Steve, and the CTeLearning team for being so helpful during this entire process. The transition to civilian life for military families can be difficult, and you helped make it easy. It can feel like a lot of pressure pursuing an education and a new career field while dealing with other life changes at the same time. But I was able to enjoy the whole process. I felt like I was able to learn in a relaxed environment.

Take the Next Step in Your Career

We love working with students like Kiaizah who are looking to take their next career steps. We work with students who are leaving the military, looking to enter a different career field or simply building their skill sets. Contact us today at 913-764-4272 or swaddell@ctelearning.com to learn how we can help.

Science2Art 2022 – Another Great Year for our Regional Life Sciences Community

Fri, 11 Nov 2022 15:08:00 GMT

Here is the most recent Science2Art project I worked on with the Storylight Studios team (Bret and Aron) and BioNexusKC team (Shaylee and Jennifer). Every year I get an opportunity to meet some of the best and brightest in the region, and I always find it inspiring and so thankful for where I get to live. The Bionexus KC Sci2Art program and auction raise money and awareness for STEAM education in our region. BionexusKC is one of the elements in our regional life sciences ecosphere that continues to help elevate our region to the bioscience powerhouse that it has become.

I hope you enjoy this year’s video and hearing scientists describe their work through the imagery they see every day.

As a teacher, listen to the way these scientists describe their work. Isn’t this how we want all our learners to speak about their careers? We all know that CTE and STEAM are one and the same, and this is why we must expose all learners to STEAM careers early and give all our students a chance to discover their passions early. Early so they can then make the right choices for their educational journey and develop their talents into a career they will be passionate about.

2022 Science2Art powered by BioNexus KC from BioNexus KC on Vimeo .

Want to learn more about BionexusKC – go to www.bionexuskc.org

Have fun – Steve

Congrats to SpaceX and Falcon Heavy – Amazing and Inspiring

Tue, 01 Nov 2022 14:14:00 GMT

These boosters, landing autonomously, represent the 150 and 151 successful recoveries. Falcon Heavy flew today flawlessly. The SpaceX team continues to show the world how it is done. If you have an entrepreneurial spirit, a willingness to work hard, the heart of a lifelong learner, and are not afraid to fail, you can do amazing things.

For those of you who have seen my email signature, you will see this quote.

Today more than ever, we need to remember that talk is cheap. Doing is hard, and it is the doers who make a difference every day.

It seems we have more talkers today than doers. But thank god for the doers we do have.

Congratulations to SpaceX.

-Steve (now stepping off my soapbox but still cheering on SpaceX)

When Game Design and Science Collide

Thu, 27 Oct 2022 19:23:00 GMT

Today we are highlighting one of our classes in Texas that is doing great things with our Web Game Design course . Tracy Curry is the Technology Teacher and Yearbook Advisor at S&S Consolidated ISD in Sadler, TX who is teaching the course to her students.

The Web Game Design course teaches students about all aspects of game design including game-level design, game mechanics, game story, game music, sound effects, asset creation, and more. Students also learn about branding and marketing strategy, personal leadership, ethics in the workplace and more. This approach prepares students with not only the technical skills but also the soft skills that so many employers look for. Students finish the course with a well-rounded understanding of game design as well as real-world portfolio projects.

The Flying Monkeys section of the Web Game Design course teaches physics, which game design almost always involves. As Tracy’s students worked through this section of the course, they went to the gymnasium to “fly” some stuffed monkeys, record data and then analyze the flight characteristics so they could see how data can be used to predict actions in the real world. The students later used this data when creating their games. The students loved the activity, and it gives teachers like Tracy the opportunity to share how they are teaching a game curriculum that has the science aspect of STEAM education front and center.

The whole curriculum is a project based learning experience; however, later in the curriculum the students take part in a project with a twist. The project is story-based and first-person and includes a customer, co-workers, bosses, mentors and the students living the design process.

Students also have the opportunity to earn industry-recognized Web Game Designer certifications backed by the industry group Web Professionals Global . These certifications are created by industry professionals and underwritten by a consortium at no cost to the school, students or teachers. This partnership between CTeLearning and the Web Professionals Global Organization gives Tracy’s students the chance to earn their certifications step by step as they go through the course, with no big exam at the end.

Hear From the Teacher

Tracy talked about working with CTeLearning: “I got tapped to teach game design. This is my first year teaching this curriculum, so I was really nervous because I’m not a video game person. For me as a teacher, it’s been very easy. I’ve been working through the course and it has been easy for me to stay a couple of steps ahead of my students. I often have students that come by the room and are jealous because they’re not in the class. They ask me when they can take the class, and so I encourage them to sign up next year. I was a little bit worried about the coding part of it, but the kids not having coding experience isn’t a problem. The CTeLearning curriculum does a great job establishing the basics. Everything is so self explanatory, and the students love the interactive tutorials and sandboxing. I typically worry about pacing a course, but the CTeLearning team has done a great job reassuring us that we are on track.”

Tracy also talked about the sequence of the curriculum: “The text adventure is a great place to start. The students are really getting into it and writing these great stories. Again, this shows how multidisciplinary our CTE program is. My students are creating interactive fiction, and a story that becomes a game. They love doing creative writing but do not realize it since they just think they are making a game. Students will be students and a few are doing just the minimum, but most of my students are doing more elaborate games. Overall, they love this class. If you are lucky enough to teach something students love, it is what every teacher wishes for.”

Tracy talked about what really excites her about teaching the curriculum: “One of the best parts is these different professional voices inside the curriculum speaking to the students about careers. It’s not just abstract coding, because students hear from professionals about what it is like on a day-to-day basis as a game designer. I like how the curriculum teaches both industry skills and soft skills. This curriculum really helps my students get a better idea and a better feel for what the career demands and whether they might want to try to go down this career pathway. I especially like that one section that we just finished about different game design careers. I think it puts little nuggets in their heads going forward in the curriculum for them to analyze from different job titles within the video game design career cluster. One other thing that is different about you guys is that no one else gives me the same level of support. I really, really appreciate that, and it’s a valuable part of what you all bring to my classroom.”

She also talked about how her administration has supported the course: “T he way I found CTeLearning is unique in that we used to teach Video Game Design a few years ago, but it hasn’t been offered in quite a while. It was important to me to find courses that our students wanted to take, so we created a survey for our students. Video Game Design was at the top of their list of desired courses. I began researching and looking for a curriculum and started digging through my file cabinet and found one of CTeLearning’s original VGD curricula! Then I contacted Steve and got a quote. When the Director of Student Services for S&S CISD, Lance Johnson, found out that there are industry certifications connected to the curriculum, he was impressed and approved my request. Not only am I lucky at the district level, but my students and I are so fortunate to be supported by our great admin team here at the high school including Principal Jorge Rubio and Assistant Principal Randy Miller. Both of these administrators fully support and endorse the class.”

Steve Waddell, founder and lead developer of CTeLearning, said this about working with Tracy and her students: “We are so thrilled to see all that Tracy’s students are accomplishing. One of the things we enjoy most about our work is seeing students get excited about the course and tell their friends about it. This creates a buzz around the course, and new students enter the classroom eager to learn. These students are learning skills as well as earning certifications that will translate to whatever they do next, whether it be educational or professional pursuits. We live vicariously through our teachers. We enjoy training, supporting and building relationships. We have teachers that retired years ago that we still regularly talk to. It is just so much more fun to work alongside your friends. The Flying Monkeys activity is one of the activities that I came up with, so I love getting pictures from our teachers when they are flying the monkeys so I can share with our team members who came up with it. And we are so thankful to the Web Professionals Global Organization for partnering with us to make these industry credentials obtainable for high school students. They are an organization that truly lives their motto of Community, Education and Certification.”

Learn More About our Web Game Design Course

Get your students engaged and excited about possible career pathways with our innovative Web Design Course. Contact us directly today at 913-764-4272 or swaddell@ctelearning.com to schedule your free 20-minute demo.

Bringing Animation to Life in the Classroom

Thu, 13 Oct 2022 14:37:00 GMT

Here at CTeLearning, we love getting the chance to work with our wonderful teachers and students on a daily basis. Today we are highlighting Jadah M., one of our teachers in Colorado, and her classes. Jadah is the K-12 Art Teacher at Hoehne School District in Trinidad and uses the Animation Curriculum in her classroom. Jadah connected with CTeLearning after the principal of her school, Yvonne Wiening, first reached out to CTeLearning founder and lead developer Steve Waddell to discuss curriculum options for Hoehne.

To kick things off, the students were thrilled to received a personalized message from Simon Otto, best known as the Head of Character Animation for the wildly successful How to Train Your Dragon film series (a personal favorite of Jadah). Simon discussed the animation and encouraged the students to explore it as an exciting career pathway.

Throughout the course, Jadah’s students learn about all aspects of animation including character creation, character development, audio engineering, storyboarding, script writing and much more through interactive and media-rich tutorials. Thanks to a partnership spearheaded by CTeLearning and the Web Professionals Global Organization that underwrites certification costs, students are able to earn industry-backed Web Animator Certifications free of charge. These certifications are not about taking a test. Instead, students meet certification milestones as they work through the course and build real-world projects. This approach measures aptitude instead of the ability to take a test, allowing the students to earn valuable credentials recognized and respected by industry. Students can proudly take these certifications with them into their future educational and professional careers.

In addition to learning the technical side of animation, Jadah’s students learn soft skills like marketing as well as what it means to show ethics in the workplace, which they earn micro-credentials (mini certifications) for completing. CTeLearning believes in preparing the whole learner, which means empowering students with both technical skills and soft skills to succeed in the global economy.

She invited Steve Waddell to a Zoom meeting with her class to talk more about the animation industry, career opportunities and how students can earn and learn their way to the Web Animator Certification.

Engaging Students with Exciting Curriculum

Jadah had this to say about the Animation course and working with CTeLearning: “I have a student I was worried about at first. He just was not motivated to do much of anything in my class. As their teacher this worried me. I have never seen him excited about anything until yesterday when he started looking at all the th ings he was going to do in your Animation course. There was joy and excitement all over his face. I would also like to go ahead and set up a time for you to talk to my class. Thanks for sharing this with us. I see some kids with brighter futures because of you and your team.”

Jadah also discussed the success her students had throughout the first week of her class: “ I have to tell you that all of my students passed both quizzes and printed their certificates for the ethics in the workplace section. They were so excited. I had to help read the questions to one of my struggling students because they are so used to thinking that they will fail and just clicking an answer that they didn’t want to try. Once I slowed them down and they retook and passed the quiz, you could tell they had a little more confidence than the first time. We had been over the material so many times trying to find what we missed so they could take the test that they knew the information, they just didn’t realize they did. I am just so happy for them. I know some of them have never passed a test with more than a ‘D’ grade. This is huge for them. This curriculum is helping me with all my learners regardless of how they have or have not struggled in the past.”

We also asked Jadah how she found out about our curriculum: “I am so thankful that my principal Yvonne Wiening found out about CTeLearning, saw the courses with industry certifications, and contacted me over the summer to look into the curriculum. I am so fortunate to have a great administrative team here. I know that is not always the case at every school, but here the teachers and students are very lucky.”

Steve Waddell, founder and lead developer of CTeLearning said, “I think that post-COVID we have so many students who have become disconnected from education and school. Most teachers tell us that it is a struggle to get students to re-engage with learning. On top of everything else a teacher must do, added to it is winning students back to learning in the classroom. Much of what we do in our curriculum is to help teachers win their students back. Students also seem to have lost some of their confidence in learning and even trying. This is why our courses offer so many concise projects to help students take small steps to reach greater successes. Small bite-size projects combine to grow confidence that leads to the knowledge and self-esteem to successfully take on and complete bigger real-world projects. Our approach is to have the student journey be exciting and valued. The goal of completing the curriculum and earning the certification is certainly important, but as every educator knows, it is the journey to that goal where all the learning happens. What can I say? We love what we do.”

We love hearing from our teachers and students who are having success in the classroom using our courses. We can’t wait to see what Jadah’s students do next and continue working with the students who enter her classroom for years to come.

Connect with us Today

If you are like Jadah and are seeking to engage your students with innovative and impactful courses, contact us today. Our course creators can give you a free 20-minute demonstration of our curriculum offerings and explain how we can help you equip your students for the future. Call or email us directly at 913-764-4272 or swaddell@ctelearning.com.

Introducing the 12 Principles of Animation Lesson Module

Tue, 13 Sep 2022 15:16:00 GMT

This year we are introducing the 12 Principles of Animation lesson module. We created this interactive lesson set to help students understand the core concepts and practices of animation as laid out in, released by Disney in 1981. The book was written by Frank Thomas and Ollie Johnston who are known for being part of the group of nine original animators that brought to life the characters of films like Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs , Pinnochio and Fantasia .

Years ago, Walt Disney brought together the dream team of animators at a time when animation was created laboriously through hand-drawn animation cells that were then lovingly hand-painted and then photographed to become the individual frames of a movie.

To capture the experience of creating all the art and design that became the hallmark of Disney Studios and the industry standard for full-length animated features, the book The Illusion of Life—Disney Animation was released in 1981. In this book, the wisdom of the original Disney animation team was captured to help guide the next generation of animators.

The book is incredible, but for beginning animators, there is a particular chapter that everyone new to the craft must read. Chapter three is called the Principles of Animation. This chapter lays out 12 basic principles every animator should be familiar with.

In the book there is also a chapter that speaks to what Frank and Ollie refer to as the 12 Principles of Animation. It is these principles that Walt Disney and the Disney animators learned and applied to create the life-like engaging animations that made Walt Disney Studios famous.

What is fantastic is that all of these principles were developed long before there was ever any computer animation. Since these practices predate computer animation, the students are steeped in the foundation of great animation and character development. All the trappings and distractions of computer applications are stripped away, and what is left is a clear and concise set of concepts that can be applied to any 2D or 3D animation.

Through this module, students learn the original language of animation. This is the language that all the great animators have used since the 1930s. This is a living history that brings to life, no pun intended, the wisdom of decades into a focused set of activities that are as relevant today as they were when Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs was released in 1938.

Throughout the course, a professional animator animates and explains each principle. Students learn how the principle is applied, why it is used and the overall effect on the animation. Students then get the chance to take these principles and apply them to their own animation projects that are part of the curriculum.

Understanding and applying these key principles is also part of the process of students earning their international industry-recognized Web Animator certification from the Web Professionals Global Organization . Since the web is one of the biggest consumers of animation, everything the students create in the curriculum feeds their college- and career-ready portfolio. It also means the industry recognized certification available through this course is stackable with all of the Web Professional Global Organization’s industry certifications.

Curious how your students can learn and earn their way to a free industry certification for Web Animation? Click here

Part of why we add a specific lesson set on these principles is that mastering these fundamental skills is a fast way to show students how to quickly improve their animations. Showing students how to apply just one or two of these principles to their animations truly adds so much value to their project work. Confidence and pride go up, and as any teacher knows, it is easier to keep students engaged, learning and expressing their creativity in more challenging ways when they are proud of their work.

The Web Animation with Marketing curriculum gives your students the best of being immersed in a career simulation with interactive lessons to guide them while creating real-world animated projects for clients. Students get the opportunity to continue to refine their animation skills as they animate banners for websites, business logos, music videos, and other animated projects. Students learn firsthand not only how to animate but also about character development, storyboarding, sound effects, scripting, voice-over, and music development.

We are excited to announce this new addition to the Web Animation Curriculum, and as always, we cannot wait to hear your feedback. Please share with us what your students learn in this new lesson module as you see them engaged and inspired.

Curious how this curriculum runs on PC, Mac, and Chromebook? Contact us today

CSULA and YMCA Bootcamp Gets Students Excited About Web Design

Thu, 11 Aug 2022 18:01:00 GMT

From August 1st-4th, the CTeLearning team and the Web Professionals Global Organization facilitated an online web design and social entrepreneurship bootcamp for students in the Los Angeles area. The students in the bootcamp were mentored by staff from the California State University, Los Angeles (CSULA) Pathways Program and YMCA of Los Angeles. In the span of just four days, students learned technical skills, entrepreneurship skills, heard from industry experts and built their very own websites that they shared with their peers, family and friends.

Today, 60% of web traffic occurs on mobile devices, making this bootcamp the perfect way to introduce students to the world of web design. Bootcampers ranging from 3rd grade to 11th grade worked their way through CTeLearning’s engaging web design courseware to learn about how to offer a product or service beyond their own backyards. Web design is not just about coding—it is about taking the products and services of entrepreneurs, small businesses and large corporations to market.

The bootcamp kicked off with a welcome from Gabriella Piccolo, the actress who plays Suzy in Stranger Things , who cheered on the campers. Bootcampers were challenged to create a website for a business that would be sustainable. Many chose to create businesses that were not only profitable, but would give back to the community. Some created businesses whose purpose was to help others live better, healthier and happier lives. As part of the bootcamp, each student had their own web server set up so they could instantly share their work with their family, friends and mentors. The bootcampers loved that they could see their work immediately available on the web and get feedback from their family and friends as they built their sites and developed their company brands.

The last day of the bootcamp was a celebration and launch party of the campers’ websites and businesses. Professional web designers and creators joined in on the last day to help review and cheer on the learners business concepts, and websites. The professionals were blown away by the incredibly clever businesses and passion the campers showed for building enterprises that were sustainable and socially responsible. The bootcampers built real websites that they can continue to work on and improve as they further develop their web design skills.

The bootcamp activities were led by Steve Waddell, the founder and lead developer of CTeLearning, and Kelvin Knighton, a full stack developer on the CTeLearning team. As the students crafted their company concepts, determined the products and services they would offer and figured out how to have their enterprises generate revenue to keep their missions alive, the following web professionals joined the Zoom call to discuss different aspects of web design and entrepreneurship as well as take questions:

Mark DuBois, the executive director for the Web Professionals Global Organization, the largest international professional association and credentialer for all things web, spoke and answered questions about web design as a career and how to step into this high-demand and high-paying career pathway.

Fabrizzia Kaiser, a web designer and branding consultant whose company focuses on helping women entrepreneurs grow their businesses, spoke about the basics in building a company brand and how to develop a product story and niche.

Joshua Frisch, lead writer for CTeLearning, spoke to the students about crafting web content and the importance of understanding your target audience and creating engaging content that fits the persona of the ideal client.

What helped make this bootcamp successful was all of the one-on-one mentoring that the YMCA and CSULA team members provided to the bootcampers. With the bootcamp spanning four separate YMCA locations and some bootcampers working remotely from home, the mentors were crucial in making sure every learner was engaged.

Steve Waddell, founder of CTeLearning and lead facilitator of the bootcamp, praised the students, saying, “There was so much to accomplish over the four days of the bootcamp. The work the students did is very real as they built actual websites they can continue to work on in the coming months. Each of them knows what it takes to develop a company, identify products and services, and create a website to build their brand and generate customers to help them accomplish their missions. It is awesome to see students get excited about designing, creating and sharing their websites with family and friends—the sense of accomplishment is obvious. We are proud to partners with CSULA and YMCA Los Angeles for yet another successful year of getting students excited about web design career pathways.”

Get Your Students Engaged With STEM Bootcamps

The CTeLearning team works with after-school programs to offer innovative and engaging bootcamps for students to learn new skills. Contact us today for more information and a free demo on how we can help you get your middle school or high school students excited about STEM career pathways.

Check out our STEM curriculum for high school and middle school and contact us today for a free demo with our founder, Steve Waddell. Call or email directly at 913-764-4272 or swaddell@ctelearning.com.

How One Teacher Helped Her Students Earn Web Design Certificates

Mon, 13 Jun 2022 20:20:00 GMT

We caught up with Heather S., who teaches at Chanhassen High School in Chanhassen, Minnesota, to chat about her recent successes with students in the classroom. Heather teaches Marketing and Introduction to Business and Web Design, and is also a DECA Advisor. She recently led her students through CTeLearning’s Web Design curriculum , which culminated in a number of her students earning Certified Web Designer certificates thanks to CTeLearning’s partnership with the Web Professionals Organization . Heather was instrumental in securing the curriculum and web design certificates for her students as well as introducing them to web design, which is an in-demand and high-paying STEM career path.

Heather’s students were the first in Minnesota to earn certificates through our new embedded certificate program, in which students earn certificates as they progress through the course and build a body of work rather than take a big exam at the end of the course. This removes test anxiety for students and allows them to focus fully on building real-world projects to develop proficiency.

The following students earned their Certified Web Designer certificates: Alijah A., Wyatt B., Mason B., Alayna C., Joe G., James G., Keyon J., Jack K., Parker M., Elizabeth N., Aayan S., and Brockden W.

What has your experience been like teaching the course?

It’s a new course for the students since we haven’t taught web design in a few years here. However, the CTeLearning curriculum made it easy to start from scratch—both for me as the teacher and for the students. I definitely have students that excel and keep trying new things, while some others did not quite do enough work to earn the certificate. I enjoy how the course enables students to work on their own. So a lot of them are enjoying it and having fun with it.

What have your students learned about the web design career pathway?

It’s nice because a lot of students are realizing how exciting this career pathway can be. And of course, some of my students are not big fans of coding—which is totally fine. The curriculum is useful because it teaches students skills and opens their eyes to a potential future, but it doesn’t lock them into it. They have really gained an understanding of the importance of having a background in coding in this economy. Even if they decide that coding isn’t for them, it is still a valuable opportunity.

What do parents think of the curriculum?

We have great parents, and they love what we are doing. They see the value of our students finding out now what career pathways they might be interested in pursuing (and those they aren’t interested in). They realize we are helping their kids learn about themselves and their career goals, and they love the fact that their students are taking career prep courses without the family needing to spend money on university courses for something the kid won’t do.

What do your students think about the opportunity to earn web design certificates?

This is a new concept for them. I do a lot of other courses with articulated college credit. Sometimes that means a student may need to check to see if the college they are looking at will take the credit. Most of my students are more used to hearing about AP and credits. However, they understand the world of work is changing, especially in tech, and many are interested in getting into careers without pursuing a four-year degree. The international industry-recognized certificates look good on college applications for my students who are going that route and open doors for students who want to go directly into the workforce. It is nice to be able to help students to have real choices for their futures.

Clockwise from top left: Heather S., Steve Waddell, Joshua Frisch

What do you like about the interactive nature of the Web Design curriculum?

I definitely liked how they had a sandbox to be able to try things immediately.Some of my students did flip through some of the videos quickly, and then they’d have to go back and try again. They would ask me to clarify things, but I could point them back to the material. So it taught them to slow down and really understand each concept rather than just rushing throu gh it. You know, it’s not all about memorization, you actually have to show aptitude and be able to do things. Plus, th ey earned their certificates as they completed each piece of the course—so they weren’t apprehensive about an exam at the end. I also appreciate just how interactive the course is. The tutorial videos, images, and text all flow together to have the students do small projects and practice the pieces that then come together when they do the full website development projects. In the end, the students leave with a full portfolio to help them whether they are bound for college or directly to the workforce. I also like the web-based integrated development environment (IDE) that gives my students a place to create where I can look in and track progress. My students loved the ability to share their live websites with family and friends.

What differences do you notice between your students now compared to pre-COVID?

Although I did not teach web design when our class was remote during the pandemic, this curriculum could have been a very beneficial tool during that time. While we love the fact that the web design curriculum can be accessed from anywhere, I think the students are happy to be in the classroom and learning together instead of working over Zoom from home. I will say that we had some students who loved the curriculum so much that they worked on it from home on their own time, which was very exciting to see.

Did you do anything to help students adjust to learning coding?

The only other thing that I added was some breaks for the students. These were creative breaks where we would watch a video or do something that was not directly connected to web design but that would still fuel their creative minds. I think it helps to have some of those little activities to give students something non-technical to do just to recharge. For example, we would watch videos on famous people or topics, and then the students would do a quick write-up on it.

You are the first school in Minnesota to use this new embedded certificate model. How do you like the approach?

I love this embedded approach. It more closely follows how industry rewards achievement by measuring student aptitude for building things, not for test-taking. This style gives me another incentive to help motivate my students. Plus, my administration and the parents appreciate the certificates being underwritten so there is no cost for my school or the parents.

How has your experience been working with Steve and the CTeLearning team?

I like to email a lot and ask questions, and Steve probably spent more time on Zoom with me than with any other teacher this year. Part of that is it was my first year teaching the course, but I appreciate the collaboration. Being able to email or call whenever and have Steve walk me through a situation was great, so that kind of constant communication is a definite benefit.

Congratulations to Heather and Her Students

Mark DuBois, Executive Director of the Web Professionals Organization, said, “The Web Professionals Association has always delivered the message that being a successful professional takes more than just technical skills. To back this up, our Web Designer certificate focuses not only on the technical skills of website development, but brings together aesthetics, ethics, creativity, problem-solving, marketing, and entrepreneurship. Small and large companies need professionals who can craft powerful and meaningful web messages delivered with engaging design and professionals who are always striving to do the best for their clients. On a personal note, I just love seeing the next generation of professionals getting started with their first set of credentials from us. Welcome to all our new Chanhassen Web Designers.”

Joshua Frisch, Lead Content Developer of CTeLearning, said, “Seeing Heather’s students thrive and earn their web design certificates is so rewarding to the entire CTeLearning team and our partner, the Web Professionals Organization. These students can be proud of the portfolios of real projects they have built that they can take with them for whatever comes next. We are proud to partner with high schools, middle schools and workforce development groups all across the country to offer innovative and engaging career and technical education curriculum that prepares students for the changing world of the 21st century economy.”

Learn More About Web Design Certificates and Other CTE Curriculum

Congratulations again to Heather and her students as the first school in Minnesota to earn the web design certificates from the Web Professionals Organization using this new industry relevant model. They were part of the early pilot program, and next year we are turning it on for all of our schools and districts as a way to help industry attract more bright minds to these high demand careers. Our special partnership that underwrites the cost of certificates to help schools and districts save thousands of dollars will continue as well.

Check out our STEM curriculum for high school and middle school and contact us today for a free demo with our founder, Steve Waddell. Call or email us directly at 913-764-4272 or swaddell@ctelearning.com .

The post How One Teacher Helped Her Students Earn Web Design Certificates appeared first on CTeLearning .

How One California School is Delivering Animation Certificates for Students

Fri, 27 May 2022 19:45:00 GMT

We had the chance to catch up for a quick interview with Nikki Jarvis from Lakeview Leadership Academy about the animation certificates she is delivering for her students. Lakeview Leadership Academy serves grades 7-12 and draws students from the richly ethnically diverse population in the ruggedly beautiful high desert of San Bernardino County, CA.

Nikki has been teaching CTeLearning’s Animation curriculum since 2014. She has grown her program from just a few students into a very popular career-oriented graphic design and animation program that truly reflects her personality and passion for teaching.

Nikki is one of the first teachers to deploy the new industry-relevant certificate model that CTeLearning and the Web Professionals Organization have partnered together to create. This model embeds certificates directly into the curriculum, removing test anxiety for students. The model is streamlining how industry certificates are earned in secondary, post-secondary, and workforce education. Nikki was proud to award animation certificates to a number of her students this spring.

Steve Waddell, founder and lead developer of CTeLearning, had the pleasure of catching up with Nikki during her planning period to chat about her recent work and the impact it has had on her students.

How do you explain this opportunity to your students?

Right from the start of the semester, we watch some of the videos in the course featuring professionals who work in animation. They talk about what it is like getting started, and I tell my students that this is their first day in the animation industry. I let them know that they will have the chance to earn the Web Animator international industry-recognized certificate from the Web Professionals Organization. We talk about how this is a post-secondary-level certificate. I explain that as part of this class they will take part in a Virtual Internship or career simulation so they better understand what it means to have a job, clients, and bosses as well as what it is like to create world-class products. If they just want to play, they know this is not the class. I expect them to conduct themselves professionally because they are on a potential career pathway that they may one day pursue even further. And you know what? Most of my students rise to the challenge. We even have professors from California State University, Los Angeles inviting my students to come and visit them. We also have many students who are ESL and FRPM, which is one of the reasons why I have been such a big advocate for equal opportunities for them to earn animation certificates.

How have your students been enjoying the curriculum?

They’re really getting to learn more than just animating—this is a complete career experience. I mean with the Virtual Internship projects, this class runs like a career simulator. We are doing something relevant for the students’ futures. My students learn just how broad the animation career pathway is. I talk to them about career next steps, colleges and future career options, and how they can use their animation certificates as certified web animators to develop that career pathway.

How have parents responded to it?

When I tell parents about the projects, portfolio, industry approach and credentials, they really understand it because they want their kids prepared for the real-world. Parents understand their kids are getting to learn industry-level skills in the classroom.

Can you talk about how important it is not to teach to the test?

I have been teaching this curriculum for several years, and this was the first year that the CTeLearning curriculum has all of the elements and requirements for the industry-based certificate embedded, which means that students earn their animation certificates as they go through the course and create real-world projects. The whole course is a model for mastery education. There is no big exam at the end, as that is not the most effective way of teaching. This rewards my students for all their work—not just passing a test. Every teacher knows that most students struggle with test anxiety—I do too. This year, my students focused solely on the curriculum. This allowed me to completely focus on helping the students master their learning and project work without worrying about another high-stakes test that could rattle them. I was able to tell them that their path to earning the certificate came not from some big scary test at the end of the class, but through their creativity, problem solving, skills, industry knowledge, project work and portfolio. And the certificates are underwritten for my students as well, so there was no testing company fee I would have had to ask my administrators to pay for.

What was it like presenting the students with their animation certificates?

I had each group of animation certificate earners come up to the front of the class and I presented them with a nicely printed certificate in a clear plastic holder. I am also a graphic design teacher, so I had to kick it up a notch. Then we took a class picture they could have to show their parents. The coolest thing was at our senior awards ceremony, when I got the chance to give my seniors their certificates in front of everyone including their friends and family. These are the moments that educators live for. One look in the eyes of my seniors, and I could see all the pride they had. I gave them a moment they will not forget—plus the education, experience, and confidence that comes with my animation classes.

7th Period – From left to right: Charles Lucas, Adalit Montes (MDCP CTE Student of the Year), Lyana Duarte, Velia Duarte, Royal Chambers, Knowledge Williams, Selena Aparicio

The newly minted 2022 Certified Web Animators are: Bahari H., Alejandro L., Angelo M., Naveyra S., Joel H., Breana B., Zoey D., Robert G., Omar M., Jocelyn M., Sophia M., Guy D. R., Zenaida R., Ivy T., Selena A., Royal C., Velia D., Charles L., Capri E. B., Carjon R., Lyana D., Adalit M., and Knowledge W.

What else did your students accomplish?

In addition to the Web Animator certificates, the Ethics in the Workplace micro-credential was embedded in the course. As my students earned the Ethics micro-credential, they became even more motivated to work hard for the “big” Web Animator certificate. This year we had more certificate recipients than ever before. In fact, we had four times as many as any previous year, so this new approach works extremely well.

How have you enjoyed working with CTeLearning?

I love it. Whenever I ask a question, the CTeLearning team is crazy quick to respond. Everyone is great to work with, and they listen to me. I have seen how my suggestions have been taken to heart and they have improved the curriculum to continue to make it better for students as well as teachers.

Who would you like to thank for helping to make this happen for your students?

First, let me say I have a fantastic admin team here. I know teachers in other districts who may struggle with implementing industry-based certificates for their students, but that is not the case here at Lakeview. A huge thanks to Lorraine Collins (district-level Director of CTE and Adult Education), Kellie Williams (district-level CTE Coordinator), Felicia Limbrick (Principal), and Sherri Osterberg (Department Chair), who have all been so supportive to me and the students throughout this process. And thanks again to CTeLearning and the Web Professionals Organization for underwriting the cost of all the student certificates. We appreciate the members of the Web Professionals organization who are so passionate about supporting the next generation of professionals. Thank you for providing us the opportunity to be able to earn these certificates and understanding how important it is to get high schoolers engaged, inspired and credentialed for a fantastic career pathway.

Steve said, “First, the interview was so much fun. Hearing the joy and pride from Nikki about the growth of her program and so much student success made my day. This is the culmination of a big project to take the requirements and domains of an industry certificate and weave them into a project-based learning experience that would not leave any learner behind. We have built a curriculum with our industry team and our partner the Web Professionals Organization to model not only real-world problem and problem solving, but to reward the learners for their skills attainment the same way that industry rewards performance. To me and my team, the success of Nikki’s classes represents years of work to get to this point in reimagining certification. I am incredibly proud and grateful to the Web Professionals Organization for trusting us and working together to make this happen. Being who we are, we are already in 2.0 mode and enhancing the experience based on all the feedback from all our pilot schools who deployed this. The number of students receiving international industry-recognized certificates and industry-based micro-credentials has gone up, on average 600%. We’ll know more when we get the final tallies in late June. But, at this point, there is no going back. We have proved the model and we have gotten the thumbs up from Mark DuBois, the Executive Director for the Web Professionals Organization. Ms. Jarvis is an awesome teacher, and I appreciate her and the Lakeview Leadership Academy administration as well as the students for letting us be a part of their work.”

Get Your Students Engaged With CTE Curriculum and Certificates

If you are a teacher, administrator or parent who is interested in getting your students engaged in exciting animation certificates and other CTE certificates, contact us today. Call or email our founder and lead developer, Steve Waddell, directly at 913-764-4272 or swaddell@ctelearning.com.

Should You Consider a Career in Web Design?

Sat, 21 May 2022 12:16:00 GMT

A career in web design is a fantastic option for those who wish to enter a field with high-paying and stable job prospects. More people than ever before are working from home, and web designers are more important than ever to design the websites we all rely on each and every day. Read on to find out whether a web design career is right for you.

Overview of Web Design

Web design is the practice of how a website is laid out for users. Whenever you visit a website, you experience the work of the web designer behind the site—whether you think about it or not. Web design includes the images, colors, font, and overall presentation of the site that ideally makes the site easier to use for visitors. Everything you see and read in this article was created through web design. Remember that a web designer is different from a web developer, who is responsible for more of the behind-the-scenes parts of websites.

Web designers have many responsibilities, which include the following:

There are three main types of web designers. Responsibilities and job scope will vary for individual web design positions.

A Brief History of Web Design

Let’s look at a brief history of the field of web design before diving into the pros and cons.

By the end of 1994, there were 10,000 public websites. Designers began incorporating images, videos, and advertisements onto web pages, which changed the user experience drastically from a text-based approach.

In the years following, designers began to support websites that utilized online shopping, live animation, blogging, social media and more. One of the most popular websites ever created, Facebook, utilized a very simple design when it was founded in 2006 and has since undergone various design changes to meet user needs and try to maintain a cutting-edge look and feel.

In 2007, the iPhone was introduced, which would go on to become one of the world’s most popular smartphones. Designers began incorporating mobile elements into sites to ensure they were compatible with iPhones.

Finally, during the COVID-19 pandemic, web designers became even more important as businesses shifted to online operations in an effort to reach national and global audiences.

Pros and Cons of a Career in Web Design

Let’s take a look at some of the upsides (and downsides) of a career in web design. On the positive side:

However, on the not-so-positive side:

Ultimately, if you are interested in web design, the pros outweigh the cons.

Curriculum and Certification

Our Web Design Curriculum includes a certification supported by the Web Professionals Organization, a group founded and backed by industry members.

You may be an individual interested in learning web design, or you may be a teacher who wants to teach web design to students in your middle school or high school. Either way, we have you covered with our course and curriculum.

Read about how CTeLearning helped one mom learn web design while balancing motherhood.

Skills Required to Succeed

Being creative, technically savvy and ambitious is a good recipe for succeeding in the web design field.

Our Web Design Curriculum and the built-in certifications will provide you with the hard skills, soft skills, and experience to begin your career in web design. You will also build real-world projects that you can show to potential employers as you develop your career.

In taking the course and earning the certification, you will achieve the following:

These skills are fantastic for helping you build a portfolio of real-world projects that you can then show to future employers or clients.

Is a Web Design Career Right For You?

If this article has helped you understand what it is like to be a web designer, contact us today for a free demo on how we can help you. The time has never been better than now to enter this rapidly growing career field that is here to stay. Call or email our founder and lead developer, Steve Waddell, at 913-764-4272 or swaddell@ctelearning.com.

Learn more about our Web Design Curriculum , and contact us today for a free demo.

Is AI and Robotics a Good Career Choice?

The post Should You Consider a Career in Web Design? appeared first on CTeLearning .

Why Choose a STEM Career?

Fri, 20 May 2022 12:51:00 GMT

Did you know that the career choice you make will determine your financial future and overall lifestyle? You may be a perfect fit to pursue an exciting STEM career!

Some of the most in-demand careers are STEM majors . You may have heard about various STEM careers and you may have done your own research as a result.

In this article, we’ll help you learn more about STEM careers, and talk about some of the best majors you may want to consider for the future. Just read on to find out more!

So what exactly is a STEM-based career? Why are they in high demand and what is required when you want to pursue one? The acronym “S.T.E.M.” stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. In some cases, the “M” in STEM can represent Medicine.

Experts say that the demand for STEM careers will not only increase drastically the future, but will also help to boost the economy . One reason students are urged to pursue a career in STEM is that their meaningful work will help to touch and improve every area of our lives.

We have already seen a drastic shift in how technology has shaped our world. As a result, the practice of artificial intelligence, robotics, and cyber security have become critically important.

How Do STEM Careers Impact Our World?

These careers impact our lives quite a bit as you can imagine, but how do they influence our world? Consider the following:

How Much Do STEM Careers Pay?

Now, this is a question every student would want to know. Most students pursue a specific career because it would give them a good income. This is not bad at all. If you choose a STEM career that you are passionate about , you’re sure to have a happy life since you’ll earn a great salary while doing what you love .

So, how much do STEM careers pay? Well, this of course depends on the field that you choose to major. On average, the most STEM jobs pay a rough figure of about $65,000 per year . On the contrary, non-STEM majors pay an average yearly salary of $49,500. Keep this in mind!

Out of all the STEM categories, Technology and Engineering tend to have an upper hand when it comes to annual salary . Engineering and Engineering Technology careers pay an average salary of $73,700, about 13% more than the average. Computer and Information Science pay an average salary of $72,600, which is still really great .

On the other hand, physical and biological sciences, mathematics, science technology, and agricultural sciences pay around $50,400 on average. Regardless of the STEM career you pursue, you can be sure of having a higher salary compared to most non-STEM majors . You are also more likely to be working in exciting fields that produce the most innovation in the world.

Keep in mind that it’s not always about the salary, but doing what you actually enjoy . Luckily, there are plenty of careers in the STEM field, so you’re bound to find something you are passionate about.

Just like any other job, STEM careers also require a minimum level of education. Surprisingly, there are some STEM careers that don’t require a college degree. For instance, careers like Manufacturing Technician and welding will need an industry certificate or a 2-year degree.

On the other hand, the top STEM careers will require either a bachelor’s degree or an associate degree. For instance, careers like a dietitian, teacher, personal financial advisor, UX manager, and global marketing manager will need a bachelor’s degree.

However, careers like lab technician, radiologic technologist, registered nurse, dental hygienist, and nuclear technician require an associate degree.

Other than considering the degree of the student, it is also important to mind the student’s personality . This is a deciding factor in why some people will be successful in a STEM career compared to others. Generally, there are no restrictions on who should and who shouldn’t pursue a STEM career.

Nevertheless, it is important that those pursuing a STEM related major possess specific personalities. For instance, STEM students are expected to be curious (having a will to learn) since they should have the urge of comprehending how stuff works . Unless a student is willing to get inside of the inner workings of a system, they wouldn’t understand how things work.

A STEM candidate should also be creative . These majors require people who will bring new ideas, solutions, and be unique with their approaches. If you are creative, you will have a better chance of solving problems . For that reason, STEM candidates / professionals should create, innovative, and invent solutions to complex problems.

Who Will Benefit From STEM Majors?

Typically STEM education is meant to bridge the gender and ethnic gaps , which are occasionally found in science and math fields. For instance, there have been plans to boost the roles of women and other minorities in STEM based fields.

With STEM, customary gender roles are broken, and it gives way to equality in every possible way . It isn’t just students that will benefit from STEM. Rather, the entire world will enjoy the new innovations that come from STEM careers. The more advanced the technology, the more of the worlds problems we can possibly solve .

The problems STEM based careers can solve include solutions to global warming, food production, sustainable energy, and even colonization of other planets .

What STEM Careers are in Demand?

Some STEM majors that have a higher demand compared to others. In the 21st Century, STEM fields that are in high demand are scientific and technology based. The modern world depends on technology as we’ve mentioned a number of times in this article, and elsewhere .

Hospitals, governments, newsrooms, homes, and other workplaces depend on technology to communicate and run operations efficiently. That said, here is our STEM careers list for students that want to earn their major in the field.

Computer Engineer

This career is ideal for those that want to deal with computer hardware. Computer engineering is one of the highest-paying STEM careers in the current world since computers are all around us. You’re likely reading this through a computer/laptop. Even your mobile device is a mini-computer !

Computers come in all shapes and sizes, from the tiny computer in your smartwatch to the computer found in a remote-controlled crane .

These engineers are responsible for creating a wide range of computer equipment, and they will test and analyze the hardware that they have developed.

The median salary for computer engineers is around $111,700 .

Today, any brand, company, or organization that wants to reach out to the world via the internet must have an active and appealing website. A web developer can help the brand have a website that functions well, whereas the designer makes it look appealing.

Web developers are responsible for creating websites. When these artists do their jobs well, everything about a site seems to fit together superbly, from the colors and graphics, to the images and special effects (or “animation,” to those in the know), to the navigation.

You’ll need an associate’s degree to be a web developer or designer. A good web developer should be good with HTML, PHP, CSS, and Javascript . A good web designer should have a solid understanding of graphic design. To simplify your choice, a designer handles what you see on the front, and a developer takes care of the code that you don’t see in the back.

“The biggest shift in the industry is mobile technologies,” says Andrew Ruditser, lead technology coordinator at Maxburst Inc., a web development company on Long Island. “We have to make sure our sites don’t just look good on desktops, but also on Androids and iPhones.”

One big misconception is that web design companies use standard web site templates. Legitimate design firms do not, but start first with understanding the clients products/services, target audience and what they want to accomplish. Every customer is different and professional web designer and developers know this and create what the client needs. Not just filling in a template they bought online.

Web designers are often Solo-preneurs, who contract with companies to bring their product message to the web. Many designer prefer being freelancers as it allows them more flexibility to work and live where they want and to choose the projects and clients they want to work for. The WebProfessionals.org is a great place to get connected into the professional community.

Many web designers have some college, but you do not need to have a four year degree to be highly successful in this high demand career.

This is a competitive field that needs uniqueness and skillfulness. As a web developer / designer, you can expect to earn an average salary of at least $73,760 .

The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 8.0 percent employment growth for web developers between 2019 and 2029.

Not all industry certifications are actually industry certifications. Many are simply course completion certificates offered by a school, or a for profit training company. Be sure to make sure that you get a true International Industy-Recognized Certification from a professional association like The Web Professionals Organization.

You can receive or help someone else a achieve a head start in this field by obtaining industry certification , even high school students. Get more information at course information page for Web Development and Design ., Web Animation for Marketing, Web and Mobile App

IT Manager

Computer and information systems managers, or information technology managers, are the guides who help organizations navigate the always-changing labyrinth that is modern technology. These all-important employees deliver short- and long-term visions for the company’s technology needs and goals. Even though most IT managers have the technical chops to execute the various jobs of the workers they supervise, they are more likely to be caught in a meeting room than a server room.

Coordinating technology-related matters with top executives, planning upgrades of existing software or hardware and negotiating with vendors for the service of current products or the purchase of new ones are all common tasks IT managers encounter. IT managers also install and upgrade an organization’s computer system and protect the office network from hackers and malware

You can be sure of making a mean salary of at least $146,360 as an architect.

View the Web Technologies information to learn more about preparing yourself for the future of this field.

Commonly known as cyber security , your job will be to protect companies and organizations from any cyberattack, and find exploits (back-doors). Typically, you will be expected to analyze, plan, and execute preventative security measures to the digital systems of the company/organization.

There are also it support and security companies that are looking for new candidates to help smaller businesses protect themselves.

These professionals are extremely high in demand because cyber-crimes have been on the rise in the recent years. Big companies hit recently include Target, Equifax, and most recently, the popular food chain, Chili’s . You’ll need to have a bachelor’s degree to be an information security analyst.

Can you help to quell cyber crimes taking place more and more in our world? The median salary is around $85,000 or more.

Marketing Manager

The American Marketing Association defines its trade like this: “Marketing is the activity, set of institutions, and processes for creating, communicating, delivering, and exchanging offerings that have value for customers, clients, partners, and society at large.” In addition to the actual marketing work, marketing managers have the added responsibilities of hiring staff and team building; vision casting and strategic planning; and managing budgets and tracking their results.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 6.7 percent employment growth for marketing managers between 2019 and 2029.

The median salary for petroleum engineers is around $136,850 .

Whether you call them Android designers, iOS designers, app designers, or mobile app designers, these professionals play a huge role in today’s world. Mobile application design is a vital STEM field since mobile devices are among the most-used gadgets in the current age. A huge portion of the population has likely used their mobile devices every day for years !

As an app designer, you will work along with user interface (UI) and user experience (UX) designers to apply their design to a mobile device’s interface. Here, you’ll also need to design unique mobile applications of varying uses. Always consider an app that helps solve a specific problem people may be facing.

Mobile app designers can earn an average salary of $65,000 a year.

3D Modeler

These professionals are also called 3D printing engineers, and they are also highly demanded. 3D printing engineering is related to civil, electronic, and mechanical engineering. They can also be related to industrial design.

The 3D printing engineers use technology to bring objects and organs to real life. For instance, they can be responsible for designing organs for transplant in the medical industry.

These professionals earn an average salary of around $40,100

Robotics/Artificial Intelligence Engineer

Our future world is predicted to be controlled by robots, and understandably so. As mentioned in our unusual STEM careers article , robots will be used in multiple areas, replacing manpower with, well, robot-power. This isn’t a bad thing, or the script from a Hollywood movie, robots can make our lives easier and much more convenient.

For instance, automated welding systems and ATM machines are all robots or Artificial Intelligence equipment. There are robots developed to clean houses, help patients at hospitals, and even serve as personal assistants. Robotics engineering combines math, engineering, science, and some creativity.

As a robotics engineer, your job will be to create robots for use in selected areas. This career demands a master’s degree or Ph.D. in some cases.

You can earn around $94,000 a year after years of experience in the field.

If you’re looking for a way to learn, or easily teach your students about this subject early on, read about our hands on Artificial Intelligence and Mobile Robotics course.

Video games have been on the rise , and they are not only designed for kids and young adults. Big video game companies such as Electonic Arts are reporting record profits . Even popular individual games such as Fortnite are reportedly making over $100,000,000 dollars per month ! No that isn’t a typo!

Video game designers dedicate their time and effort to come up with engaging software programs for video games. They are some of the most sophisticated software you’ll find anywhere.

Gameplay engineers must bring life to the game, which helps gamers to enjoy what they are playing, and want to play it again and again. This field requires gameplay engineers to be both creative and unique in their delivery. They introduce new concepts, and tie it all together by working closely with the development team.

This STEM field requires a bachelor’s degree, as well as some years of related work experience.

The best part of this field is that it is one of the highest-paying STEM jobs . As a gameplay engineer, expect to make over $100,000 a year.

Statistician/Data Analyst

Statisticians are among the most active professionals in today’s world. They will collect information from clients, students, parents, government agencies, or other companies. Furthermore, these professionals will use a dense and complex amount of data to solve problems, analyze trends, and answer specific questions.

Actually, it’s statisticians that approximate the average salary of a specific career. To become a statistician, you will need a D egree in Statistics . This will help to develop your analytical and mathematical skills. If you are still in school, consider specializing and perfecting your abilities in math topics like calculus, probability, experimental design, and more.

This can leak over into the internet world too, as data and statistics are very important in the every day usage of the internet. Companies will hire SEO and internet marketing specialists to read and interpret data collected from a website. This helps them further optimize the client’s website to help increase website conversions.

As a statistician, you will expect to earn an average salary of at least $81,000 .

Other types of STEM jobs that pay well include Actuarial Science ($97,000) , Database Administration ($87,700) , Computer Programming ($97,530) , and Software Development ($100,700) . You can view some of the courses we have available to prepare you or your students for a career in STEM by viewing our STEM Courses List .

Which STEM Career Will You Pursue?

So, what STEM career will you choose to pursue? Do you prefer the technology / computer-based courses, math-related courses, science majors, or you want to go with the art-related courses? Whichever STEM career you choose, do your best to ensure that you make the right choice.

Go for the one that you have a passion for and can find enjoyment in. Remember that a wrong choice can negatively affect your lifestyle, even if it pays a lot of money.

Is AI and Robotics a Good Career Choice?

Is Computer Animation A Good Career Choice?

Workforce Development: How One Mom Benefited From Web Design Curriculum and Certifications

Wed, 18 May 2022 18:21:00 GMT

What do you do when you want to retool for a new career? As an adult, you have more responsibilities and time pressures. Add to that the chance that at any moment you can get a call from school saying that your kids will be learning from home for the week or month or more, and it can be difficult to manage being a working professional.

Today we are highlighting one of our success stories here at CTeLearning. Eliza H. is a mother of school-age children who had to transition to working remotely because her children were home more due to frequent COVID-19 school closings. Over the years she has taken courses at her local community college to keep her skills sharp and continue to develop her career, and she recently worked with CTeLearning and the Web Professionals Organization to continue that development.

Eliza earned her Web Design and Remote Working Professional certifications, all from the comfort of her own home. She recently used those credentials to land a remote job as a web community developer and is now working on meaningful projects in the job of her dreams. In her interviews for the job, she was able to talk about the industry certifications she earned. She started on a Monday, knocked out four separate interviews all within a week and she was offered the job that Friday.

As a mom with two young children, these courses and certifications gave her the skills and knowledge to enter the tech field while maintaining her status as an involved mother. She still picks her children up from school, helps them with homework, and stays with them when they are home sick.

Eliza is very thankful to her local community college that set her up with this opportunity and gave her the chance to become certified web designer through the web design curriculum. With all the chatter today about the high cost of college, she shows how quickly you can upskill. No high-dollar boot camp. No expensive four-year school with big loans. And these certifications are built and backed by industry, not professional testing companies. Instead of having to take a high-stakes exam at the end of the courses, she completed project work through the courses to build her career-ready portfolio. Her training paid off when she realized on day one of the job that she already had the skills to succeed.

A New Model for Web Design Curriculum

This opportunity is part of a special partnership between CTeLearning and the Web Professionals Organization, which allowed CTeLearning to build all certification aspects into the interactive curricula. As students progress through the curriculum, they complete requirements and build up to earning the certification—it’s like completing a puzzle. Every project, quiz, and activity either links to a national CTE standard, certification domain, or both. The curriculum is project-based learning using real-world projects to complete the requirements to receive an international industry-recognized certification. One of the exciting moments for Eliza was when she found out that she was part of this new pilot program for the new industry-relevant model for certification attainment.

Right before she landed her job, we caught up with Eliza to learn more about her journey and dedication to professional development in the age of remote work.

What attracted you to the web design curriculum?

Web design allows me to combine my passions; being creative and helping people. I love being able to be creative and bring people’s ideas to light while helping people expand their business to reach the whole globe, if that is what they are after. I am currently focusing on the coding or backend side of websites so I will be able to provide customized website designs to each client.

How has taking the Remote Working Professional course and earning the certification empowered you as a web design professional?

The Remote Working Professional course provided guidance on how to set up your day to day operations while working from home. Now that many jobs have moved to being remote, we now need to learn how to make home the new workplace and also be able to separate work from home. I have worked from home in the past doing tech support and this course has given me a certification that backs my knowledge on how to work remotely and be successful.

How has the course and certification changed your view of global connectivity and people being able to learn and work remotely from anywhere?

I think we are digitally connected more than ever. The certification, Remote Working Professional International Industry Recognized Certification (IIRC), shows everyone you have the skills to work from your home office and excel in your role.

How has your experience at the community college shown you how important it is to continue to develop your skills as a professional?

I previously worked in an office and took classes at my local community college that taught me the skills I needed to be good at my job. Now that I have my Web Design certification, I am taking even more courses. The information that I am learning is up-to-date and valuable in the job market.

What did you enjoy about your experience at the community college?

Community colleges offer fantastic value. It was an easy choice for me to first look at Washtenaw Community College to retool and get ready for the new reality of work. It wasn’t just the convenience—Washtenaw is part of our local economy, understands our community, has great teachers and is affordable. I really do love Washtenaw. I started taking classes back in 2006 when I was transitioning from one college to another. I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do so I took some general education classes that would transfer. I loved the small class sizes and the teachers were excellent. I have gone back several times to take classes and I have never had a bad experience.

What skills did you learn in the course about working remotely that you would share with a hiring manager in a job interview?

I would tell them about my home office that is secluded from the rest of the house which ensures I have limited distractions during the day and how I can work more throughout the day because I don’t have a commute.

What does the term future-proof mean to you now?

Being able to have a career/business that I can work on my own time, and having a career/business that is in high demand.

What have you learned about how to balance being a mom with school-aged kids with being a working professional in the remote economy?

I love working remotely because I have time to get tasks for work and home done. I can take a quick break and go change laundry loads or take the dogs out for a walk. I can pick up my kids from school if I need to. Being able to get the home tasks completed, makes me able to focus on work more. I end up getting more done than if I had to commute.

What have you learned that you would pass on to your kids to help them excel in the classroom as well as in their future professional lives?

How important it is to make a schedule and to follow it. Set times to focus on work and times to focus on breaks. Great time management can make you stand out.

What would you tell other parents who are considering career changes?

Don’t be afraid! You have to come up with a plan of attack to get where you want to go and then follow it. Don’t let doubt get to you. Find something that you are passionate about, that way work becomes more like play. Get paid to do what you love.

Steve Waddell, founder and lead developer of CTeLearning, said, “I won’t pretend that the process was easy. Our saving grace was that we had all the CTE standards already built in and aligned, so it came down to getting creative in how we challenged the learner to express the requirements and domains of the certification. But this turned into the fun part. When I look at the web design curriculum as well as our other curriculum, I can see all the domains present and how they align to the industry expectations. The Web Professionals Organization was great to work with on this. There had to be quite a bit of trust as we were taking their IP and weaving it into our curricular work. Everyone who worked on this was passionate about protecting their information. As someone who hires and fires designers and developers, I have made some poor hiring choices based on some sub-par certificates. I love this new industry-relevant model. Eliza graduated using this model and is excelling in the real world. I just see this as the next step forward. We have destroyed the teaching to the test model.”

Mark Dubois, Executive Director of the Web Professionals Organization, said, “We’ve been working on reimagining industry certifications for over a year. The conversation started among our executive team. Eliza is one of the first as part of the pilot program we are testing. We are seeing that we really have the curriculum and certifications aligned in such a way that we can use the body of work as the instrument to determine credential attainment versus the traditional standardized exam. So far, I can say that this works very well. We are committed to maintaining our industry standards while modeling how industry actually works.”

Reach Out to Us Today

Just like Eliza, you can balance your professional life with being a parent. Check out our course page to see our Web Design curriculum, and reach out to us today to discover how our certifications and curriculum can help you take the next step in your career. You can reach the creators of the curriculum directly at 913-764-4272 or swaddell@ctelearning.com.

What is it Like to Build a Culturally Tailored Website?

Thu, 28 Apr 2022 19:53:00 GMT

Here at CTeLearning, we are proud to equip the next generation of web designers and developers for games, mobile apps, websites and more. CTeLearning’s founder and lead developer, Steve Waddell, recently finished a multi-year project helping to create content and develop the https://lifestyleafrica.info website. Steve shares his experience working on the project and what it is like on a day-to-day basis to be part of content creation and building websites.

How did you get involved with the Lifestyle Africa Project?

Since 2007 Bret, some of our team members and I have been helping local life science researchers tell the stories of their work. Our primary goal is to help the regional life-science industry get the word out about the explosive growth in biotech, bioinformatics, animal and human health research discovery and new medical advancements that have been happening. Because of this, we have a name for ourselves in the region and many know and like our work.

What was your scope of responsibilities for the website?

For some background, Lifestyle Africa is a diet and physical activity program adapted from the US National Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) to make it more suitable for low- and middle-income country contexts. Bret—who is our lead videographer and just an amazing talent—and I were first hired to help with the conversion of the DPP into a form that could be translated and amplified through video. We wanted to create not just talking head video but visually engaging video with heavy use of after-effects and character-driven animation.

The goal of the research was to take a large cadre of people living in the townships, use community health liaisons with a small group approach and see if a culturally relevant wellness program could affect health awareness and choices and be a part of the battle against the exponential rise in obesity and type 2 diabetes in the region. Each lesson was delivered by a local health liaison person from the community who was trained in delivering the sessions that incorporated the videos and handouts we created, leading discussions and capturing attendance and progress data.

Our role was to shoot and produce the hours of video, and then I worked on the website that would utilize all this video. This video content would become 19 sessions that would take groups through a wellness program in Nyanga and Khayelitsha, two townships around Cape Town, South Africa.

One interesting aspect was that we had to create all the videos in Xhosa, the main language in the area and an African click language. I was most excited about this aspect because ever since college I had thought that the African click languages were probably the closest thing we could ever hear of what was our mother tongue. As crazy as it sounds, the idea of working with a click language was very exciting to me.

What was your experience like working on the project?

The first issue was deciding where to shoot—here in Kansas City or in South Africa. In South Africa there may have been issues with bringing in our equipment, so we decided to do the video work in Kansas City.

The next issue for Bret and I was how to shoot video of someone speaking a language we did not know. Bret was dealing with getting all the studio, equipment and sound people set up, so I took it upon myself to be responsible for the teleprompter and figuring out how we could edit in a language we did not know. Eventually, I set up a way for us to hide a monitor slightly out of frame that was picked up on the recording and this gave us just enough info to make it work.

Here is a small group session led by the community health team. Notice the screen on the wall showing a session video we created as part of the Lifestyle Africa project.

There were a number of things our team did to support bringing the Lifestyle Africa project to fruition:

Culturally Tailored DPP Program

Our team helped with the creation of the uniquely tailored version of the DPP that would be used by the health workers to run the program in SA. The majority of our work for this portion was helping to reimagine some of the delivery approach, graphics, worksheets, animations and session videos.

Dissemination Site

We were tasked with creating the dissemination site to allow health researchers, national health organizations, and anyone worldwide who wanted to see an innovative model for making culturally relevant health and wellness programming. The site would become an interface for the Lifestyle Africa research team to connect and share their process and data with anyone working to improve health.

How did you collaborate with others to get your work done?

Working on a project of this size and scope demands collaboration. Our first and core collaboration was Bret and me spending many hours with the Children Mercy Hospital researchers (Del and Sarah) to create the storyboards and outlines for what the many hours of video would cover. The scripts were written in English and later translated to Xhosa. Then we extended and worked with the South African researchers. To do so, we needed to design the handouts to support the messaging, have the participants apply new knowledge and strategies, and self-capture their data. Because of the English to Xhosa translation, we had to use imagery that was local to where our audience was in the townships of Khayelitsha and Nyanga. To make this research and wellness project succeed, we had to make this feel “home-town” to people nearly half a world away. We spent a fair amount of time developing the aesthetic. I cannot over-stress how important this was. We spent countless hours researching to find the right images. Fortunately, Del is from South Africa and was kind to help us understand what life is like in the townships, the culture, the food, and the wonderful people who live in that part of the world. We teach all of this in our web design certification curriculum, so it really was a case of practicing what we have preached to thousands of secondary and postsecondary learners over the years.

Here are some details on the work we did—both in video work and website development:

Creating the Video Content

Setting the Aesthetic

Early on we came up with an idea for the logo and iconic background we would use to maintain continuity throughout the project. To do it right, we sent the project out to six different experienced designers to create scenes that included skyline, buildings, and people all based on a series of images we provided. We chose three of the six to sit down with so Del and Sarah could decide which one would do the final logo, background and other key branding for the project. We also had a photographer in South Africa who captured countless images for us in the townships and regions to help us with visuals that reinforced the feeling of the locale.

Video Production

We did quite a bit of prep to upload the Xhosa scripts and test them in the teleprompter. For the video production side of the project, we shot video over two weeks. We worked with Lungi, a professor from Capetown who performed the Xhosa scripts off the teleprompter, a director/producer, a camera operator running two cameras and an audio engineer.

After-effects Animation

After Bret and I designed and storyboarded the animations we were using to convey some of the key concepts in the lessons, we divided up the work between two graphic artists we had cut down from a field of eight to do the work and hold together the aesthetics and feel of the overall concept. The graphics crafted by the artists were then turned over to the team member handling after-effects to compose into the animations and other supporting graphical content for the videos. The animations felt like they took forever. Never underestimate what it takes to execute a beautifully crafted storyboard. Whatever amount of time you think it will take, triple it.

Video Post-production

With the rough cuts and animations ready, it was time to bring it all together. Our main editor first cleaned up the video and made sure we had a solid base. Then the editor (Bret) and our director/producer (Steve) got together to overlay the animations based on the original storyboards. A significant amount of Diet Coke, coffee, and unhealthy snacks were consumed. The irony of how bad our team was eating while working on a wellness program was not lost on us—it just reinforced why it is so hard to truly make healthy choices all the time. We did this in groups of two or three videos each. We would send the videos to South Africa and the Kansas City team, and then would have meetings with the Kansas City research team and bring the South Africa researchers in to get their feedback. With 19 videos in total, we repeated this process at least a half dozen times. Post-production is always a grind, but the reward is seeing the vision coming together. Once the videos were all done, we then went through the final process of closed captioning in Xhosa. The .srt files (timed closed caption file format) were hand-created and another labor of love. I still get the caffeine shakes when I think back to some of those days.

Creating the Dissemination Website Lifestyleafrica.org

Initial Site

One of the most important aspects of research is dissemination. If you are trying to affect community health, doing the research and then locking it away in a file cabinet or letting it slowly grow old on a hard drive somewhere is counterproductive. So we worked with David, Kelyn and Holly, all brilliant web designers, to help us build the basic site concept for us. For those of you who care, it was done with customized WordPress deployment. Holly did some great work to establish the branding, style and feel of the website

Did you encounter any challenges throughout the course of the project?

Any project of this scale with so many moving parts and in a language that we could not speak will have its challenges. Of course, there were times we had to solve problems. But the reality is simply this—you just do it. Whining doesn’t solve problems. We also had a village doing this. I love to say “it takes a village,” and I really mean it. We had built a community around this project that spanned 3 continents. Everyone was a professional, and whenever we hit a speed bump we got over it as a team.

Also, the site got hacked. We got blacklisted by Google, Yahoo… everybody. It was a surreal experience. But I learned more about security and WordPress vulnerabilities as well as how to lock down a site, layer in additional security, and then get the domain back on the friends list with all the search engines. This had never happened to me before. I did cheat, or rather took a shortcut to fix this. I used my membership to WebProfessionalsGlobal.org and I was able to tap into their resources, training, and other professionals to help me out. I learned so much from that.

What soft skills and hard skills did you utilize while working on the website?

I will revisit the village analogy. When you are working with so many people on different continents from very diverse backgrounds and cultures, you better have great soft skills. Another thing we teach in our career courses is about how the hard skills will get you hired but the soft skills will keep you employed. Everything we do every day is in the service of others. If you do not understand that, then you are toast.

Communication is king. How you communicate is key to avoiding misunderstandings. When misunderstandings happen, it is the trust you have built through all your communication and how you have been transparent in your work that gives everyone the confidence that you are a person of integrity. Hard skills in many ways are easier to learn, as they can be gained from a book or video. Soft skills take longer to develop, and they represent the core of who you are.

What did you learn while working on this project that you will apply to future development projects?

I learned a ton about WordPress plugins and vulnerabilities. I will never forget to do a painfully obnoxious pedantic review of every plugin that even looks at a WordPress site I build.

I also learned that taking on a project of this scale requires adaptability. You can’t let your fear of potential problems or even failure prevent you from taking on big projects—that is how you learn.

What would you tell others who may be interested in learning how to develop websites?

You probably already know what I will say to this. We build curricula to teach web development. Our curricula leads learners to getting international industry-recognized certifications. So, what would I tell people? Get some schooling and make sure that what you are doing is aligned to real certifications like the ones that the Web Professionals Organization offers. Stay far away from the companies that are just testing companies. I have hired people with those types of credentials and most of the time they did not last long. So, learn and earn real credentials. And have fun doing it. With web design and development, you are creating something from nothing. You type in some words into a file, that file is then loaded by a browser, and those words you typed create something amazing.

Learn How You Can Build Websites

If you are interested in learning about how to gain the skills and industry-recognized certifications needed to become a web developer or web designer, contact us today at 913-764-4272 or swaddell@ctelearning.com for a free demo of our curricula. We work with individuals and schools all over the country and globe to develop professionals in exciting STEM fields.

The post What is it Like to Build a Culturally Tailored Website? appeared first on CTeLearning .

CTeLearning Introduces New Middle School and High School Game Design Curriculum for 22-23 School Year

Wed, 20 Apr 2022 17:23:00 GMT

Learn more about the curriculum here.

Over the past year, we have had conversations with our teachers and students to learn about how the Web and Mobile Game Design curriculum has engaged and inspired students who are exploring possible career paths. Web and mobile game design is a focus of CTeLearning since it is a growing STEM field with high-paying job opportunities all around the U.S. and the world, and our middle school and high school game design curriculum helps students prepare for this field.

This year, we have revamped the Web and Mobile Game Design course with new features that teachers and students will love. The course uses innovative activities to teach students valuable technical skills and soft skills as well as provides opportunities to earn certifications and micro-credentials they can take into their post-secondary and professional careers. Students learn how to build the games they enjoy playing on their own through hands-on activities and creative projects.

Let’s look at some of the features schools can expect their students to enjoy when implementing this curriculum for the upcoming school year.

Steve Waddell, founder and lead developer of CTeLearning, said, “I am amazed when I look back at all the changes we made for the release of this new curriculum. We built our first Video Game Design course back in 2004. That curriculum went through yearly updates and at least six major rewrites. We still have schools using that course today. However, when we built the original course it was two years before the introduction of the smartphone. This new Web and Mobile Game Design (WMGD) course is based on all the feedback from countless teachers and students, feedback from our team members who work in game design, and our certification partners at the Web Professionals Organization. The WMGD curriculum has been designed from the ground up to make things easier for a teacher to facilitate. Admittedly, that takes a little extra work on our side, but we benefit with happier teachers, awesome games by students and overall easier tech support. A shout out to our families who put up with lost weekends and late evenings to get this built and ready for our schools, teachers and students. I cannot wait to see what students create in this course during this upcoming school year.”

Mark DuBois, the Executive Director of the Web Professionals Organization , had this to say: “We are proud to be a part of a new way to give future professionals their start in high school and middle school by partnering with CTeLearning to embed some of our international industry certifications into curriculum. This enables us to extend our partnership to educators and offer them an opportunity to reward deserving students with their first set of industry credentials. We amplify this with international competitions that our curriculum partners can take advantage of with their students to inspire them to think about how they can compete with their skills, talents and passions in a global marketplace. As we all know, the world has changed over the last 25 years. As professional educators, designers, developers, and lifelong learners, we must adapt and change as well. As a professional organization celebrating our 25th year of community, education and certification, we are excited for the coming school year and welcoming a new cadre of young professionals to join our ranks.”

Learn More About our Middle School and High School Game Design Curriculum

The curriculum is entirely turn-key, so teachers and students don’t need any prior coding or game design knowledge. If you are looking for a web and mobile game design curriculum that will engage and open the eyes of your students to a new career path, contact us today for a free 20-minute demo with a creator of the course. Let us show how we can help you make the 22-23 school year the best yet for both you and your students. Contact us directly today at 913-764-4272 or swaddell@ctelearning.com.

Helping Ukraine Rebuild

Tue, 19 Apr 2022 10:12:00 GMT

We are all members of the Web Professionals Organization and are part of their team to support Ukraine. What follows is the blog post announcing how the Web Professionals Organization is committed to gifting Ukrainian schools with curriculum, certifications, and training to help the people of Ukraine rebuild. This gift is open-ended to Ukraine and is not on our timetable but theirs. English and Ukrainian versions are provided below.

We know it is early to think about rebuilding. However, our hearts are with all Ukrainians. We know they will be triumphant in defending their country, and we call on all freedom-loving people to support them to this end. We are not trying to be political—we believe the internet is a place of free speech and freedom. We believe that wherever people live should be a place of free speech and freedom.

We are a professional association with international members who are also speaking out in their communities against the aggression and devastation of this war.

We have personally made financial donations to support Ukraine. Many of us fly Ukrainian flags on our homes. Now, as an organization, we want to help in other ways. When the time is right, we want to help schools rebuild and prepare their students for careers. We want to give schools the ability to use our training, educator support, and provide our international industry-recognized certifications for free. It is our way to share our talents when our talents will matter. We are skilled in helping people move into and maintain their professional status in career pathways all things web.

We know this is early. We will continue to give to support the needs of the Ukrainians and continue to pressure our country’s leadership to do more to support President Zelensky and all the courageous people who are fighting to protect Ukraine.

We know Ukraine, with the continued support of the free world, will win its fight. Ukraine is fighting for all of Europe. Our words of support and our gift to help rebuild may feel hollow right now, but when the time is right we hope to be able to help Ukraine in a way that will be meaningful for them and cast a bright light on their future.

We appreciate one of our corporate members loaning us one of their Ukrainian team members to help us create this video. She is still in Ukraine, and we hope for her and her family’s continued safety.

Glory to Ukraine.

Ukrainian version

Ми розуміємо, що наразі може бути рано говорити про відновлення, але Організація веб-професіоналів і наша міжнародна спільнота хочемо поширити нашу надію на майбутнє України. Ми будемо раді допомогти українським школам оновити навчальні програми, сертифікації та курси, щоб допомогти їм відновити свої школи та промисловість. Ми також сподіваємося допомогти переміщеним українським учням та працювати з регіональними школами, які прийняли українських учнів. Завдяки навчанню веб-дизайну, веб-анімації та дизайну мобільних ігор ми сподіваємося дати студентам шанс побачити світле майбутнє через ці кар’єрні шляхи.

Ми також з нетерпінням чекаємо надання допомоги робочим групам, які допомагають перенавчати та вдосконалювати уміння вбитих горем та переміщеним людям. Ми сподіваємося не тільки дати цим учням нові навички, але і показати їм, як майбутнім веб-професіоналам, як відкрити світу свої голоси, історії та пристрасть.

Знову ж таки, ми розуміємо, що зараз дуже рано. Ми знаємо, що на це потрібен час, але ми з нетерпінням чекаємо, щоб запропонувати цей подарунок як наш спосіб принести трохи надії та світла коли настане слушний час для хоробрих душ України.

Якщо ви хочете дізнатися більше, зверніться до нашого виконавчого директора Марка Дюбойсa.

The post Helping Ukraine Rebuild appeared first on CTeLearning .

Learn About What Curriculum, Certification, Competition and Carl Perkins V Funding Have in Common

Fri, 08 Apr 2022 20:46:00 GMT

CTeLearning is proud to announce its participation in a new virtual competition model in partnership with the Web Professionals Organization .

Our engaging STEM curriculum helps set the foundation for the new competition model. In cooperation with the Web Professionals Organization, we spearheaded an effort roughly one year ago to embed certifications into curricula to improve student outcomes and remove end-of-course test anxiety. This new competition model builds on this work with innovative international events. Through this model, all certifications, micro-credentials, badges, and competitions are free.

This model is part of our effort to help administrators meet the funding requirements so they can continue to provide the tools teachers need to upskill students, open up career pathways, and ensure students’ career readiness for high-skill, high-wage, and in-demand occupations.

Competition overview

The competition model is the culmination of the Three Cs—curriculum, certification and competition:

We are very excited about partnering with the Web Professionals Organization so our schools can take part in these competitions beginning in the 2022-2023 school year. The virtual competitions will run so that both fall and spring semester learners can participate. The following competitions will be offered:

Steve Waddell, founder and lead developer of CTeLearning, spoke about the excitement surrounding the new competitions: “I speak on behalf of the team here at CTeLearning when I say that we are so proud to have partnered with the Web Professionals Organization to bring this new competition model to teachers and students in career and technical education. This model incorporates the Three Cs—curriculum, certification and competition—to enable students to learn, develop and utilize skills. All of this prepares them for their futures in post-secondary education and the professional world, equipping them with in-demand skills for high-paying STEM careers. We look forward to working with facilitators across the country in implementing these virtual competitions and delivering valuable experiences for students no matter where they live—whether rural, urban or suburban.”

Reach out Today

We often hear from administrators, department chairs, and teachers about difficulties in meeting the requirements of Carl Perkins funding. Our new curriculum, certification, and competition approach help districts around the country meet these requirements while delivering valuable experiences for their students. Contact Steve Waddell, our lead developer, directly at 877-828-1216 or swaddell@ctelearning.com to learn how we can help your school.

We Look for the Best to Build Our Project-Based Learning

Sun, 20 Mar 2022 19:30:00 GMT

It is funny how a day can go and how it can tie into project-based learning. I had just sent off the last graphic for a research paper that is being done on one of our culturally responsive projects. The paper was not my idea (the project was), but the paper is being written by a group of academics much smarter than me with a large university. Anyway, I had just sent off this graphic when a request for a demo on our courses came in. I grabbed it before one of the other developers did (we share the demo responsibilities here) and did a Zoom meeting with the teacher.

As we went through the web animation course, the teacher saw some of the culturally responsive projects in the course. She is a business education teacher and said that her CTE department wanted to incorporate culturally responsive materials into the curriculum. This led to a long discussion where I was able to show how this was part of our web design course and that these courses also earned students industry-recognized certifications from the Web Professionals Organization.

After we ended the Zoom meeting and I was sending her course syllabuses, I realized that I have never talked about this topic. Our team knows this about us—it is just what we do. But we really just never talk about it. Why? Well, we never thought about doing anything else. We prepare students for the real world. The real world, including the world of work, is naturally culturally diverse.

Always looking for the best and brightest in project-based learning

If you are an entrepreneur (as I am), you look for the best and brightest to work with you. Most of the time, that means people who don’t always look like you. If you are building project-based learning curricula, with just a little extra thought, you can get students to engage modeling working in the real world—which means naturally engaging learners in projects with a diverse context.

Way back

In 2004 we created our first project-based learning courses, which weaved together career education with social and cultural responsibility. We did not know that what we were doing would become known as culturally responsive education. We simply thought it was our job to create a curriculum to engage all learners. To engage all, we would push every button we could because you never know which one will get the learner to commit.

To us, it has always been common sense to have learners be proud of who they are. Pride in themselves, coupled with our career learning, leads to students being positive about their futures. If we are going to prepare learners for the world of work, they need to learn to respect others for who they are and where they come from.

Planned and thoughtful

As curriculum developers—whether it is web game design, web design, web animation, mobile app development, or even horticulture and landscape design—we have found ways to make every course culturally and socially relevant. Our curriculum helps students be independent and critical thinkers who analyze facts over fiction.

We refuse to use our approach to help promote one culture over another. This is not about victimhood under oppression. This is about students enjoying their family history, learning to take who they are, and blending it with people who have different family histories. This is what the world needs. People come together, respecting each other. Each of us blending with others to do great work in the real world. We have always been stronger together.

We have always

We weave together social-cultural issues into projects that are part of the project-based learning experiences we create. We did not do this to support or pander to any ideology. We have always done this because we are preparing learners for careers in the real world. The real world is a blend of people and cultures who come together and make it all happen. We prepare learners for a global workplace with global competition. Learning to understand and respect people who may be different with different customs is integral to leading effectively in any career pathway.

As for our team here, we have team members from all backgrounds. If you are a development or a creative company, you benefit from tapping into a diverse group of minds and perspectives-especially when it comes to building curricula for project-based learning.

Examples of project-based learning

For example, in our web design course, we discuss culture and values when a designer is helping a client to create personas for their target audience or current customer base. To ignore a cultural aspect of your customer base will, inadvertently, turn off some of the audience you want to engage. In our Animation course, we look to culture, music, and colors to show the depth and breadth of society. In our Web Games, Apps, and Sites course we look to cultural holidays and traditions as a way to bridge communities and get conversations started of shared values cleverly packaged into the context of a cookie (pun intended). In our Landscape Design curriculum, we dealt with expressing culture in the living art that is landscape and tackled urban and social issues in the city park and Alzheimer’s courtyard projects. In our Remote Working Professional course, we introduce methods and processes to ensure all points of view are represented, heard, and understood.

A good day

I was excited this week when I demonstrated our Animation and Web Design courses to a teacher who understood what we are doing: we are modeling the diversity of the world of work. We are getting students to think about shared values without falling into any divisive ideological fugue. In a world that seems to be driving forward messages of division, we have continued to believe in a message of acceptance and unity. Our team has always been a blend of thought and ideas. Sometimes we simply agree to disagree, and that is okay. We do not all have to think alike to work together for a common cause and to serve others. Nobody is ever held hostage here. They are free to come and go. This is what we have successfully done since we started in 2003.

In these times I see so much division, but I am glad that here at CTeLearning, I see unity. My team has never agreed 100% on politics, economic issues, or even what to order for takeout (I am always alone with my hopes for Indian). But for a healthy company, that doesn’t matter as long as everybody gets our purpose. Our customers understand the value we try to provide each and every day and we always remain grateful for them. If you have purpose, gratitude, a sense of humor, and do random acts of kindness every day, you can weather anything.

Thanks for listening – Steve

Are Educators the Most Caffeinated Among High-Stress Professions?

Wed, 16 Mar 2022 17:37:00 GMT

How are teachers and administrators dealing with their high-stress jobs? Like many other professions, educators love caffeine. Let’s take a look at where they rank in terms of the most caffeinated professions.

Need Less stress? Ask us today about how our curricula can help.

Click here to Contact Us for more information or a demo

Ask us about our free bag of coffee with every curriculum (Dark or Medium Roast?).

Support Freedom

Tue, 01 Mar 2022 22:37:00 GMT

Nothing else needs to be said.

The post Support Freedom appeared first on CTeLearning .

2022 Web Design Trends

Mon, 24 Jan 2022 21:18:00 GMT

What web design trends will we see take over in 2022? Trends come and go quickly, so it’s important for designers and developers to be up-to-date on the latest. Those learning web design, such as middle school and high school students, should also know the latest trends as they grow in potential careers. Let’s take a look at the design styles and techniques that will be in demand throughout this year.

Accessibility

There are over 3 million Americans alone with vision impairments, according to the CDC, making accessibility extremely important. And even those who don’t have visual disabilities Everyone will encounter situational vision difficulties at some point, such as bright pages that interfere with visibility. Responsible motion design will likely become standard practice in 2022, as designers shy away from parallax effects and mouse-triggered scaling. Designers will also focus more on colors, layout, and navigation to ensure a user experience that is accessible for all. It’s clear that accessibility should always be a primary consideration when designing for the web.

One-Page Web Design

In a busy world, it is a battle for designers to hold the attention of visitors. This often means creating a simple site instead of a complex one. Many designers are opting for one-page websites that don’t feature any sub-pages or complex navigation. Instead, users can scroll from the top of the site all the way to the bottom and get any and all information they need. These one-page sites can make the experience feel more personal for the user, as if he or she is reading a poster or flyer. Of course, this can be tricky to achieve if the website requires a significant amount of information, but it works well for less complex sites.

Glassmorphism

Building on neumorphism design, glassmorphism combines multi-layers, transparency, blurring and subtle borders to create a truly unique look. Designers combine these elements to achieve shadow and reflection, which create the feel. The concept gets its name from the fact that the design allows users to feel depth and layers, as if looking through a piece of glass. These elements can sometimes be combined to achieve a 3D effect. Combined with subtle movement, the glass effect can make a site feel transparent yet still organized. Like other trends on this list, glassmorphism can be crafted with accessibility in mind (see an example of glassmorphism below).

Page Speed Prioritization

Page speed is more important in 2022 than ever before, making it a priority for designers. In fact, Google’s 2021 SEO algorithm makes page speed a more important consideration than it has ever been. This stems from users expecting pages to load quickly—if a page stalls, the user is likely to close the page and visit another site. Over 50% of users will abandon a page that takes more than 3 seconds to load. Image optimization, deferred offscreen image loading and the limitation of plug-ins can go a long way toward speeding up page loading times. A slow loading website is one of the tell tale signs it’s time to redesign your website .

Interactive Fonts

Designers will continue to focus on ways to make text interact with the cursor. This often includes making the text come alive when the user hovers the mouse over a certain piece of text. These interactions no longer need to be written by hand, as no-code platforms offer an easy way to achieve it with complex code. However, designers will be focused on finding the line between interactive fonts that draw users in while still maintaining accessibility standards.

Bold/Experimental Typography

We discussed interactive fonts earlier, and another trend in fonts is using big, bold typography. Oversized words can have a graphic effect that goes beyond just the text itself. This technique has been used in both minimalist and maximalist designs in unique ways that draw users in.

3D Elements

Designers are embracing 3D elements more than in years past. However, they are doing so in ways that maintain a flat overall feeling and don’t overwhelm the user. To create this alternate feel, designers are relying heavily on animations, shadows, layering and more. This creates a depth and perspective that most sites in past years have not offered.

Split-Screen

Split-screen layouts are being used by designers to achieve visual interest, design contrast, and vivid color schemes. With more and more people using split-screen effects on tablets, laptops, and external monitors, split-screen sites can be a great way to give users the opportunity to intake more information in an organized and visually appealing way.

Wrap-Up

2022 will see a continuation of many web design trends from 2021 as well as brand-new trends that are just beginning to take shape. It’s important for designers to stay abreast of new trends to keep their companies and clients at the forefront of web design in the new year. Contact us today to learn about our courses, including our Web Design course , that can help you learn both the technical skills and soft skills that will be in demand in 2022 and beyond.

Celebrating Success With a Former Web Design Intern (Updated for 2022)

Thu, 30 Dec 2021 18:54:00 GMT

At CTeLearning we are proud to work with young professionals seeking to develop their skills for the rapidly evolving world of work. Megan B., who interned with CTeLearning as a web developer for the past six months, is a perfect example of this. She has gone from winning an award in the summer 2021 SkillsUSA web design competition (represented Kansas in the Post-Secondary division) to interning with CTeLearning to recently landing a full-time web development job—all in just half a year.

During her internship she worked on various projects to support CTeLearning courses involving animation, web games, web design and development and more. Megan worked fully remotely as an intern, collaborating with team members in the midwest and northeast US as well as in the United Kingdom. The internship helped Megan understand how powerful the idea of “living locally, working globally” truly is in the new remote economy. She bolstered her knowledge and skills with the Remote Working Professional course and Interview module. Megan also earned certifications through the Web Professionals Organization to develop her skills and strengthen her resume.

We caught up with Megan to hear more about her experience going from the SkillsUSA competition to internship to full-time job.

How has your overall experience been?

My experience has been amazing all-around. Throughout this journey, I learned skills that enabled me to earn an award in the SkillsUSA competition, succeed in my internship while working remotely, develop my skill set, and now land a full-time remote job.

During my internship, I completed the Remote Working Professional course and certification. Learning remote working skills and earning the certification helped me to future-proof myself for whatever the global economy looks like in the coming years. I learned about things like doing taxes and how important it can be to hire an accountant, how to improve my home office workspace to be more productive, and much more. The job interviewing section of the course taught me how to really sell myself better in job interviews, which helped immensely in landing my current full-time position.

With my skill set, knowledge and experience, I can stay home in Kansas while working with people in other states and other countries, which opens up enormous career possibilities. I am confident that this is just the beginning of my journey in my professional career, and I am excited to see what the future holds.

What did you learn from your experience competing and earning an award at the SkillsUSA web design competition?

I learned how to minimize work to make it sleek and effective in a crunched time frame. I also learned I was capable of making a great website in a small amount of time.

What was the experience like doing the entire competition online?

It was fun as I enjoyed having my partner and I in a room by ourselves, even though there were eyes watching. Honestly, I think ours was the easiest to do online, because that is where we work anyway.

What attracted you to web development and design?

I have always wanted to figure out how websites and games were built on the computer. Ever since I was little, playing on a Windows 98, showing my grandma how to play solitaire on it. Then, watching shows like NCIS and Criminal Minds , I was always drawn to the “computer geek” character. When I heard I didn’t need to move to somewhere like California to become a coder, I jumped at the chance to learn. I also believe being a woman in this field helps show girls and other women they can do this too.

What has your experience been like working remotely with team members in other states and countries?

At first I was concerned about communication being difficult while working remotely, but my experience with CTeLearning has been amazing. Communication issues are rare, and I enjoy being able to make my own schedule. It really is a great way of working.

How has earning certifications changed your view of global connectivity and people being able to learn and work remotely from anywhere?

Earning certifications in this field has shown me anyone at any age and with any knowledge of coding can learn it easily. I started learning code at the age of 24, after going back to college for a second time. If you have the willingness to learn, you can do anything with the right help.

How has earning certifications and the internship experience empowered you as a web design professional?

This experience has helped me tremendously with my confidence in what I can achieve. I now know I am capable of being effective and efficient in the web design field.

Learn Web Design or Explore other STEM Career Pathways

CTeLearning strives to help secondary, post-secondary and adult learners who are seeking to develop their technical and professional skills. Contact us today for a free demo of our courses and how we can help you achieve your goals.

Equipping Students with Lifelong Skills in the Age of COVID-19

Wed, 22 Dec 2021 16:29:00 GMT

As we close out the end of 2021, the COVID-19 pandemic remains as relevant as it has ever been in the last 18 months. For schools, this means being flexible to adapt to new outbreaks and recommendations by health departments and government bodies. This can include shifting to a hybrid learning model with part-time in the classroom and part-time at home, or it can include fully remote learning where students learn 100% from their own homes. It is a constant balance for administrators to keep teachers and students safe and healthy, while still meeting educational requirements and goals.

What can parents, teachers, and administrators do to prepare their students to succeed in education—even when school means working on online curriculum from home during periods of quarantine?

The opportunity for teachers and students

Although the pandemic has disrupted daily life in so many ways, the shift to remote learning (and working) is one that likely would have eventually happened even if it weren’t for the pandemic. Having students prepared to work just as well from home as they do in the classroom builds skills that students can carry with them throughout their middle school, high school, postsecondary and professional careers.

This is the same challenge that companies around the world have been dealing with since the pandemic began. Knowing how to communicate with others, solve disputes, manage distractions, and succeed in a remote or hybrid learning environment are all important lifelong skills that students will need to know and master at some point in their lives.

CTeLearning has been working with secondary and postsecondary schools since the beginning of the pandemic to equip teachers with curriculum that works in the classroom, outside of the classroom, and in hybrid models. Even if a school suddenly shuts down for several days or several weeks, students can continue learning seamlessly from their homes without missing a beat.

While CTeLearning offers courses in a wide variety of areas including web design, animation, web and mobile app development, web game design and more, an area of rapid growth during this uncertain time in education has been the rise of the Remote Working Professional course. Schools across the country are utilizing this unique four-hour course to equip their students to thrive in the new world of remote learning and working.

The course covers how to remain focused at home, how to communicate with others when they are in different locations, how to be productive day in and day out, and much more. Students answer questions after each section of the course to confirm proficiency, and are awarded the Remote Working Professional certification upon completion of the course. This certification, issued by the Web Professionals Organization, is backed by the association’s working professionals who have learned and worked at home for many years. Students gain knowledge throughout the course and can proudly carry the certification with them throughout their careers as they show future prospective employers that they know what it takes to thrive in the remote world. The certification is relevant for any type of student, no matter their current career interests or future professional goals.

Tanya Wardally of the Boys and Girls High School in Brooklyn, NY, said this about the RWP course: “Today, more than ever, we educators must prepare our students for a dramatically different world of work than when we were in high school. Let’s face it: technology and the pandemic have forever changed the world of work. We have to future-proof them and make them resilient so that they can succeed in any environment. I appreciate how this course taught both hard skills and transferable soft skills. My students loved being able to progress through the course from any internet-connected device, including their smartphones. I would recommend this course to any schools and teachers who are looking for curriculum that will prepare students to thrive in their postsecondary and professional careers. I am so proud that they are earning international industry-recognized certifications this year—even in the midst of a pandemic.”

Steve Waddell of CTeLearning said, “We were pleasantly surprised that in addition to students taking and enjoying the course, many teachers took the course and learned how to be more effective educators during this difficult time in education. We are so proud of all of our students, teachers and administrators who have worked so hard to continue to succeed in the age of COVID-19, and we are grateful that our Remote Working Professional course can play a small role in preparing students for both the present and the future, no matter what paths they take.”

If you are looking for a way to prepare your students to succeed both in the classroom and the future workplace, contact us today for a free demo on how we can help you.

What is a Webmaster? The Essential Guide to a Modern Career

Wed, 01 Dec 2021 21:15:00 GMT

In the early, frontier days of the World Wide Web, the term "webmaster" carried an almost mystical weight. If a company had a website, they had a webmaster—a singular individual who was the architect, the builder, the landlord, and the decorator of a digital property. Anyone who has been around the internet for a few decades remembers this era clearly. The webmaster did it all. They were the one-stop shop for creating, managing, hosting, and troubleshooting. If the server went down at 3:00 AM, the webmaster fixed it. If a typo was found on the homepage, the webmaster corrected it. If the company needed a new email address, the webmaster created it.

As the internet evolved from a collection of static hobbyist pages into a multi-trillion-dollar global economy, the industry underwent a massive shift toward hyper-specialization. The "webmaster" role began to fragment into more specific job titles. We saw the rise of the web designer, focused on UI/UX; the web developer, focused on code; the SEO specialist, focused on search rankings; and the system administrator, focused on the hardware. For a time, it seemed the title of "webmaster" was destined for the history books, replaced by a committee of experts.

However, we are now witnessing a significant and fascinating resurgence in the demand for certified webmasters. At CTeLearning, we are seeing more interest than ever in this holistic role. But what is a webmaster in today’s complex digital landscape? Why is this title making a comeback, and how does it differ from the narrow roles of the past? To understand the future of the web, we must look at why the "generalist" is becoming the most valuable player on the digital team.

The Evolution: From "Do-it-All" to "Oversee-it-All"

In the 1990s and early 2000s, a webmaster did everything because websites were relatively simple. A site was often just a handful of HTML files and some low-resolution images. Today, a website is a living, breathing ecosystem. It involves complex databases, third-party API integrations, sophisticated content management systems (CMS) like WordPress, and rigorous security protocols.

The growth in interest for webmastering today is driven by this very complexity. While large corporations may have teams of fifty people managing a site, small to medium-sized businesses and educational institutions find themselves overwhelmed by the fragmentation. They don't just need a coder; they need someone who understands how the code affects the marketing. They don't just need a designer; they need someone who knows how a heavy image will impact the site’s loading speed and Google ranking.

This is why the modern webmaster is often described as the "captain of the ship." Whil e a ship has a crew of specialists—navigators, engineers, and deckhands—the captain is the one who understands the interconnectedness of every department. The captain ensures that the engineers are communicating with the navigators so the ship stays on course and runs at peak performance. Without a captain, you have a group of talented individuals working in silos, often at cross-purposes. The webmaster is the visionary who prevents those silos from forming.

The Diverse Responsibilities of a Modern Webmaster

A webmaster’s primary responsibility is to oversee a company’s entire web presence. They act as the bridge between the technical "nerd" world and the strategic "marketing" world. Unlike a specialist who might say, "That’s not my department," nearly everything falls under the webmaster’s purview. They are the ultimate problem solvers.

1. Performance Monitoring and Optimization

A webmaster is constantly watching the "vitals" of a website. This includes tracking website speed, ensuring cross-browser compatibility, and maintaining 100% uptime. In an era where a one-second delay in page load time can lead to a massive drop in conversions, the webmaster’s role in technical optimization is more critical than ever.

2. Content Management and Marketing Oversight

While they may not write every blog post, the webmaster oversees the content strategy. They ensure that content creation aligns with marketing efforts and outreach campaigns. They understand how a piece of content should be structured to be both user-friendly and search-engine-friendly.

3. Technical Maintenance and Security

The "back end" of a website is a webmaster's playground. They handle server administration, manage SSL certificates, and ensure that the site is protected against malware and hacking attempts. They are the first line of defense in an increasingly dangerous digital world.

4. SEO and Emerging Trends

A great webmaster is a forward-thinker. They are constantly identifying new web trends—such as voice search optimization, mobile-first indexing, or AI-driven chatbots—and determining how to integrate these technologies to improve the effectiveness of the website.

The Essential Skill Set: A Blend of Logic and Art

To succeed in this career pathway, a professional must possess a unique "T-shaped" skill set: deep knowledge in a few areas and broad knowledge across many. This requires a blend of "left-brain" (technical/logical) and "right-brain" (artistic/creative) strengths.

Technical Savvy: A webmaster must be proficient in HTML, CSS, and basic JavaScript. They need to understand how servers work and how to navigate a CMS like WordPress or e-commerce platforms.
Design Sensibility: While they may not be professional illustrators, they must understand graphic design principles. They need to know what looks good, what is accessible to users with disabilities, and how layout affects user behavior.
Marketing Intelligence: Understanding SEO is non-negotiable. A webmaster knows how to use tools like Google Analytics to track user behavior and adjust the site’s strategy accordingly.
Communication Skills: Perhaps the most underrated skill, a webmaster must translate "tech-speak" into "business-speak" for stakeholders and clients.

Why Pursue a Career as a Webmaster?

The career opportunities for webmasters are vast and varied. Some webmasters work for a single company, acting as the internal guardian of the brand's digital identity. Others operate as consultants or agency owners, managing multiple clients and dozens of websites simultaneously.

The most rewarding part of this career is the impact. As a webmaster, your choices have a real, everyday impact on a company's future. When you improve a site's speed, you see the sales go up. When you optimize a page for SEO, you see the traffic climb. You are not just a cog in the machine; you are the one keeping the machine running.

This career demands professionals who are technically savvy yet can think on their feet. It is a perfect fit for the "tech nerd" who also has a passion for business and marketing. If you like the idea of being the person everyone turns to when they need a digital solution, you might want to explore this path.

Get Certified and Future-Proof Your Career

At CTeLearning, we recognize that the web is always changing. That is why our curriculum and certifications are designed to meet these specialized yet holistic roles. We offer comprehensive training in web design, web development, web animation, e-commerce, WordPress, and more.

Our Certified Webmaster program is specifically designed to create the "captains" of tomorrow. We teach the technical foundations, but we also focus on the "why" behind the technology. We prepare students to not only build websites but to manage them as valuable business assets. Our certifications are industry-validated, ensuring that when you finish our program, you have the credentials that employers are actively looking for.

Whether you are an individual seeking a new career path, a teacher looking for a robust STEM curriculum for your students, or a professional looking to upskill, we are here to help. The digital world is expanding, and it needs leaders who understand the big picture.

Ready to take the helm? There are a wide variety of professional opportunities waiting for you in the world of web technologies. Contact us today to discuss how we can help you develop your skills or transition into this exciting field. You can call us at 913-764-4272, email us at hello@ctelearning.com or fill out our contact form to learn more about our high school, middle school, and adult education curricula.

In a world of specialists, be the one who knows how it all works. Become a webmaster and lead the way into the future of the internet.

SkillsUSA Competition Award Recipient Lands Internship with CTeLearning

Wed, 03 Nov 2021 20:45:00 GMT

This past summer, CTeLearning and the Web Professionals Organization helped run the SkillsUSA web design and development competition. Open to contestants nationwide, 2021 marked the first year that the full competition was run entirely online. The competition’s goal was to “evaluate each contestant’s preparation for employment and to recognize outstanding students for excellence and professionalism in the field of web design and development.” The competition was open to teams of two who were interested in pursuing web design and development as a potential career.

Ariana M., along with her teammate Megan B., won the silver medal in the competition. Upon being awarded their medals, the two were offered internship opportunities with CTeLearning. Other event medalists landed internships with industry members on the SkillsUSA events committee. Ariana began her internship in July and worked on various projects to support CTeLearning courses involving animation, web games, web design and development and more.

Ariana worked fully remotely as an intern, collaborating with team members in the midwest and northeast US as well as in the United Kingdom. The internship helped Ariana understand how powerful the idea of “living locally, working globally” truly is in the new remote economy.

We caught up with Ariana to hear more about her experience participating in the competition and her internship.

What did you learn from your experience competing and earning an award at the SkillsUSA web design competition?

I learned to be confident and believe in myself and to listen to what people have to say about what you created, even if the comment is not the best, so I can better myself and what I am designing.

What was the experience like doing the entire competition online?

I was extremely nervous because I had never done anything like this, but as the day went on I grew more comfortable and was able to do better since my anxiety decreased.

What attracted you to web design?

I took a computer apps class in high school, and the moment I learned about it I was completely hooked and knew that I wanted to go to college for it and make a career out of it.

What has your experience been like working remotely with team members in other states and countries?

It has been good. There are some challenges with getting projects from co-workers that have different time zones as me, but in the end it works out and we get our work completed.

How has earning certifications changed your view of global connectivity and people being able to learn and work remotely from anywhere?

I think as long as you can get your work done and be able to present it to your boss or co-workers, working remotely is fine. I did spend some time learning remotely in college because of COVID-19, and it wasn’t that difficult because I was still able to ask my teachers questions.

How has earning certifications and the internship experience empowered you as a web design professional?

It showed me that there is always something new to learn because technology is always changing. I also gained insight into what it is like to work remotely and some of the challenges that come with it.

What would you tell a hiring manager in a job interview about your experience in the SkillsUSA competition? What transferable skills did you gain that make you a more desirable hire?

I would tell the hiring manager that in 1-2 days I was able to create a functional web page with multiple screens. If I can do that in a couple of days, imagine what I can do in a week. I learned how to make something in a set amount of time, work more effectively in a group, and focus when given a task to complete.

Contact Us

Contact us to learn more about how CTeLearning can help you take courses, earn certifications, and gain skills to succeed in the new remote economy.

Working Professionals Continue Shift to Freelance and Remote Work

Fri, 13 Aug 2021 18:53:00 GMT

Virtually every industry has been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic over the past year and a half. Companies and organizations in finance, healthcare, IT, education and many more have scrambled to adapt to the new normal that is remote work. In turn, many employees have come to the realization that they are happier and just as productive in their jobs when working from home. As some companies and organizations have begun to require that employees return to the office, workers are weighing their options and beginning to think in ways that they might not have before the pandemic.

A recent study by Upwork estimated that 10 million workers in the U.S. are considering becoming freelancers, or independent contractors, due in large part to the fact that the vast majority of freelancers work remotely. The trend has been coined “The Great Resignation,” as the majority of workers consider themselves “neutral” or “not excited” at the prospect of going to the office and have considered resigning in favor of a position that offers remote work or leaving the full-time field and freelancing on their own. Among those surveyed, 20% are considering becoming freelancers and 73% of those respondents cited the ability to work remote or flexibly as a reason why they would seek to work as a freelancer.

Many workers are so invested in staying in a remote job that they would even take lower pay. The study found that 15% were willing to take a pay cut to be a remote worker, and another 26% would possibly take a pay cut. And among workers who consider themselves unhappy to be returning to the office, nearly two-thirds would consider taking a pay cut to work remotely. Some remote workers are moving to Kansas City or other low cost cities across the United States.

Begin Your Remote Work Career

CTeLearning offers courses designed to prepare individuals for the next steps in their career—whether that be finding a new remote position, or learning or developing new skills to be a freelancer and work directly with clients. Our new Remote Working Professional (RWP) course features video interviews with professionals from a variety of industries, who discuss the transferable skills required to succeed in the remote workplace. The course is also offered as a freelancer version for those who are interested in working with their own clients and being their own boss.

RWP course completers have talked about how they learned from the course how to design a remote workspace, communicate with colleagues and bosses when working remotely, work with difficult clients as a freelancer, and even master job interviews to land remote positions. The RWP course is designed for anyone learning or working in the remote or freelance world, or anyone who desires to do so.

Our STEM courses prepare you to land that new remote job or develop your freelancing career. The courses are media-rich and highly interactive, teaching hard skills, soft skills, and offering certifications and professional memberships to those seeking comprehensive career prep courses. In fact, CTeLearning has hired numerous freelancers and remote workers over the years to help with course development.

If you are ready to take the next step in your freelance and remote work career, contact us for a free demo of any of our courses . And if you are a teacher, student, or parent of a student, ask us about our work in middle and high schools to equip the next generation of students to thrive in the remote learning and working worlds. We can help prepare you for your future, and future-proof you so that you can succeed in any economic and labor environment. One of our development team members would be happy to talk with you about how you can enter the exciting world of freelance and remote work—call us at 877-828-1216 or email us at hello@CTeLearning.com today.

The post Working Professionals Continue Shift to Freelance and Remote Work appeared first on CTeLearning .

Schools Utilize Federal Education Funding for CTE Curriculum

Thu, 05 Aug 2021 20:34:00 GMT

Are you looking for a way to engage your students with career and technical education (CTE) curriculum in this challenging educational environment? The Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) Fund, federal education funding passed as part of the CARES Act, can be used by districts for “purchasing educational technology (including hardware, software, and connectivity),” “planning and implementing activities related to summer learning and enrichment and supplemental after-school programs,” “any activity authorized by the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act,” and more.

CTeLearning offers innovative CTE courseware and bootcamps that directly meets these needs and can be taught in-person, remotely or as a hybrid model—without requiring any teacher expertise in the subject matter while meeting federal education funding requirements.

Our courses equip students with technical skills, soft skills, and free international industry-recognized certifications to jumpstart their careers and put them on the path to success. The media-rich curriculum enables students to build real projects they can add to their portfolios for future educational and professional opportunities.

We offer:

Check out a previous blog post to read about how this CTE education is already being achieved in Kansas. The business education department at Haven High School continues to be recognized nationally, as teacher Jessica Wilson’s program has been one of the top producers of students certified in career and technical education nationwide. It is not uncommon for schools around the country to contact her about her program and how she guides her students to earn industry credentials and prepare them to succeed in their future endeavors.

Let us help you build your students’ career preparedness with these ESSER-friendly courses :

Ready to take the next step and get your students excited about future career pathways? Call us at 877-828-1216 or email us at hello@CTeLearning.com for a free one-on-one demo with one of our course developers.

The post Schools Utilize Federal Education Funding for CTE Curriculum appeared first on CTeLearning .

Los Angeles Students Learn to Build First Websites in Summer STEM Bootcamp

Mon, 12 Jul 2021 21:05:00 GMT

Students in the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) participated in a STEM bootcamp in late June hosted by GEAR UP 4 LA and California State University, Los Angeles (CSULA). The bootcamp was facilitated by CTeLearning and endorsed by the Web Professionals Organization .

This bootcamp was developed to inspire students to start thinking about their future careers and goals. The week-long experience was created to first get the students to conceptualize an entrepreneurial startup they would like to launch and run. With their startup in mind, they learned the tools necessary to actually create their first website. Not only did the students get a taste of the excitement for entrepreneurship, but they also got the opportunity to create a website with a client (their startup), a company with a purpose, and a product/service with a target audience and market.

Over the course of the bootcamp, s tudents learned the skills to build their first websites using the programming language Bootstrap 5. The bootcamp was delivered totally online, and could be completed by students with any internet-connected device—including PC, Mac, Chromebook, and mobile devices. On the final day of the bootcamp, students enjoyed presenting their website creations to their co-learners and facilitators at the launch party. The course is in the process of being translated into Spanish to reach as many learners as possible.

A Fun STEM Bootcamp Summer Learning Experience

Throughout the bootcamp, students heard from entrepreneurs and professionals whose backgrounds include the Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles FC, NASCAR, and The Mandalorian who encouraged the students and congratulated them for investing in their futures with both soft skills and hard skills. Led by two professional web developers, the bootcampers got an up-close and hands-on look at what it is like to be a part of this exciting and high-paying career pathway.

Sheyla Perez, GEAR UP 4 LA Counselor Aide at South East High School, said: “This year’s CSULA STEAM Camp gave our GEAR UP students a small taste of the career opportunities available to them in this field. With the help of professors and tutors, students learned to think like businesspeople, inventing a company and developing coding skills to build a website, which they presented on the last day of camp. Seeing indefinite lines of coding turn into pictures and phrases was such an amazing win for them! This was an experience to remember.”

Elizabeth Florencio, one of the teachers who helped facilitate the bootcamp, had this to say about her experience: “Even though the classroom was not designed for a Spanish-speaking student, the teachers were very welcoming and it was nice seeing how students became entrepreneurs and showed what they are capable of doing. It was just wonderful hearing their ideas and how they help their communities and turn their passion into reality! Not only was the website understandable but the teachers were just so happy to help, which encouraged students to be able to participate!”

Sebastian, one of the students who took the bootcamp, talked about the business idea he brought to life by creating a website to market his product: “We like to give our customers any kind of chips that is not mostly air. My business is to sell chip bags that are not mostly air, like a lot of chip bags are. That’s how we like to serve our customers, by actually giving them chips. We also send nacho cheese with the chips.”

Another student, Zeus, said, “I talked with my parents and decided I should come up with a business to help other people understand and know what crypto is. My business will also help people understand what investing is and how to do it.”

Lead Developer of CTeLearning Steve Waddell helped to facilitate the bootcamp, saying: “ We were so excited to see the ESL students also be able to participate in this bootcamp opportunity. Fortunately, the CSULA-GEARUP team had anticipated this and had educator translators ready to go. Our development team went back and created a fully translated version of the bootcamp in Spanish. Now this exciting bootcamp will be even more accessible for our future Spanish-speaking bootcampers to enjoy. In fact, we have another bootcamp in the LA area in the third week of July.”

These students gained a glimpse into an exciting potential career path, learning skills to build a real-life website. For information on how you can get your students engaged with an engaging STEM bootcamp, click here and schedule a free demo.

NYC Students First to Participate in New Integrated STEM Certifications Program

Wed, 30 Jun 2021 21:32:00 GMT

Students at the Boys and Girls High School in Brooklyn, NY recently completed the Web Design for Business and Marketing course and Remote Working Professional course and certifications through a brand-new program offered by CTeLearning and the Web Professionals Organization . The students are the first in NYC to complete the courses, earning integrated industry-recognized STEM certifications and association membership. The students were led by their teacher, Tanya Wardally, who sought out the curriculum and delivered these valuable opportunities for her students. She will be proudly presenting her students their new industry credentials just in time as they leave for a well-deserved summer break.

Preparing Students for the Future with STEM Certifications

Tanya worked with CTeLearning and the Web Professionals Association to bring in this courseware to offer to her career and technical education students. She enabled her students to future-proof their professional paths, equipping themselves with the skills needed to succeed in the professional world—no matter how it continues to change. Having technical training skills combined with industry-recognized certifications sets these students up with the hard and soft skills to excel in whatever career path they pursue. Under this new grant program, students earned their certifications as they completed the project-based courses. The certifications were fully integrated into the courses to reduce test anxiety and equip students with the skills needed to succeed, and the certifications were offered at no charge to the school or students.

Joshua Frisch, co-creator of the Remote Working Professional course, said, “We are thrilled to see Tanya so successfully lead her students through this new grant program. The courses complement each other perfectly so that students can learn soft skills, hard skills and professional certifications—all of which make them well-rounded young professionals who will have a leg up on the competition in their post-secondary and professional careers. We are excited to offer this grant program to other schools in the New York City area and beyond that are seeking to prepare their students to be able to succeed, no matter how the working world continues to change.”

Through the two courses, students learned coding, design, industry concepts and soft skills as they completed real-world projects and built up their college- and career-ready portfolios. The short-form Remote Working Professional course is mobile-friendly, just four hours long, and features interviews with 30 remote working professionals in a variety of industries who teach students how to be effective workers in the new world of remote work. Having these skills and credentials prepares them well for their futures, no matter what path each of them takes.

Tanya spoke about how important it is to prepare students for their futures: “Today, more than ever, we educators must prepare our students for a dramatically different world of work than when we were in high school. Let’s face it: technology and the pandemic have forever changed the world of work. We have to future-proof them and make them resilient so that they can succeed in any environment. I appreciate how these courses taught both hard skills and transferable soft skills. My students loved being able to progress through the courses from any internet-connected device, including their smartphones. I would recommend these courses to any teachers and students who are looking for curriculum that will prepare students to thrive in their post-secondary and professional careers. I am so proud that they are earning not one but two international industry-recognized certifications this year—even in the midst of a pandemic.”

Following the success of the students, the career and technical education team at the Boys and Girls High School met with Mark DuBois, Executive Director of the Web Professionals Organization, and Steve Waddell, lead developer of CTeLearning, to discuss the trends in web design and remote work that the students will now be able to take advantage of. Mark also took a moment to congratulate Tanya and her team for being the first in the country to take part in an innovative program of integrated certifications that can be built on each other.

For more information about the grant program and how your students can earn STEM certifications, visit here .

The post NYC Students First to Participate in New Integrated STEM Certifications Program appeared first on CTeLearning .

Students in CA Earn Industry-Recognized Animation Certifications

Tue, 25 May 2021 13:20:00 GMT

Six students at Lakeview Leadership Academy High School in Victorville, CA recently completed their animation certifications, giving themselves career boosts in an exciting and rapidly growing STEM field.

The curriculum that Animation Instructor Nikki Jarvis used to prepare students for the career-building certifications is a media-rich and engaging course that gets learners excited about the world of animation and opens their eyes to potential career paths. It features tutorials and project-based learning that gives students an opportunity to build projects they can add to college and career-ready portfolios.

Preparing for Their Futures

The certification prep course delivers the training using CTeLearning’s Virtual Internship Model, which immerses the students in interactive story-based projects that look and feel like a career simulation. This provides students with a taste of what working in the real world is like. As the students live this experience, they learn the technical and soft skills necessary to be career-ready. Each student at LAHS was tasked with building their college and career-ready portfolio to prepare for their futures. This immersion in the design process gives each student a personal story of success they can tell as well as insights and best practices they take with them to help ensure they are truly college and career ready.

In the 2021-2022 school year, a special industry partnership will be underwriting the expense of these certifications for all students who complete the required course and project work. “We expect that schools being able to reward their students with international industry-recognized certifications will bring opportunities to more learners throughout the US. I see this as another way to get students to recognize that it is possible to pursue high-paying career opportunities—including many jobs that can be done from anywhere in the world,” said Joshua Frisch of CTeLearning. “This year’s certifications were paid for by a national grant partnership between the Web Professionals Association and CTeLearning.com. I appreciate all the urban and rural schools whose students benefited from these grants during the pandemic and lockdowns.”

The international industry-recognized animation certifications (IIRC) earned by the students are backed by the Web Professionals Association , which is CTeLearning’s partner association made up of professionals who work on the internet tools we use every day to work, live and play. Certifications from a professional organization such as the Web Professionals Association carry far more weight than certifications from testing companies, as standards are developed by industry professionals—including many who are responsible for hiring for their respective companies. A job applicant with an IIRC lets the interviewer know immediately that he or she has the hard and soft skills required to succeed in the job, which can help the employer cut down on resources spent training the new hire.

Nikki Jarvis, Web Animation Instructor at Lakeview Leadership Academy High School, said, “My Lakeview Leadership students shined through what was a tough year between the pandemic and lockdown. I am blessed with great students that I am proud of. This group who earned animation certifications now have industry-recognized credentials—international no less—as part of their portfolios. When these students apply to college they can proudly list this certification. When they apply for a job, they will list this credential. This is just one more thing that makes them unique and helps them to stand out from the competition. I must thank our administration for all their support. To Dr. Chamberlain and Dr. Collins, thank you so much for all your stellar support. Our program would not be here without you. I also want to thank all the parents who have been so supportive of all our young Spartans. On behalf of my students and our whole teaching team, I want to thank the Web Professionals and CTeLearning for the grant that paid for our students to take the credential exams. This was a tough year for all of us, and the grant did make it better. Thank you.”

A Student’s Perspective

One of the recipients of the Web Animator Apprentice Certification, Trinity Bolt, discussed how earning the certification has changed her future outlook:

“Thank you so much! I feel blessed for the opportunity, and I still cannot believe this is real. I was so excited when I heard I had earned my certification, and I instantly jumped up and told all of my family, even though they were sleeping. My brother wished me good luck, and when I told my mom, she was so proud that she ended up crying. All of my household knows I want to push myself in school and get as much credit as I can. Since college is really expensive I have been working to make my record look impressive so I could possibly get a scholarship. I wouldn’t have been able to get this good grade and privilege without Mrs. Jarvis helping other classmates and me with our schoolwork! I’m very happy that I passed the test, considering I was nervous during the entirety of it. Before I even joined this class, I had no idea how to animate and the skills it requires. With just a little dedication and practice, I have made it this far. I am so humbly proud of myself and look forward to how this will help me in my future. Hopefully I can work with Mrs. Jarvis and the others who have helped me, even after I graduate. Everyone around me has really helped push me to go for my dreams, and move onward. Thank you to everyone who helped me get here!”

Lakeview Leadership Academy Builds on the Legacy

Ms. Jarvis is always improving and growing her programs. During the COVID-19 pandemic, her program nearly doubled in size. Why? Word got out that her program was ready for both in-person and virtual classes. Students talked to counselors about the Animation course, and counselors scheduled the students into those classes. Fortunately, the self-directed nature of the courseware saved Nikki prep time, which gave her time to focus on her students. Not everything a teacher does is just about class content. During the pandemic, Nikki has seen the need to be not just the mentor facilitator but also make sure that each of her students was seen and heard. This is not Ms. Jarvis’ first experience, as she has been working for years to bring her students industry-recognized certifications. She has always avoided the testing company path, and sought out industry based credentials that come directly from industry. Now at Lakeview, she is continuing her mission to bring relevant credentials to her students.

Steve Waddell, founder of CTeLearning and co-creator of the Animation course, said, “Ms. Jarvis has been working with us since 2012. We appreciate that as she moved schools she brought our courseware along with her to continue her work in turning out the best college and career-ready students in the region. It is not uncommon for us to get emails over the weekend or late in the evening during the week as Nikki is onboarding new students or taking a moment to grow her own animation and graphic skills. She started using our Animation for Business and Marketing years ago as part of her program to get students engaged in the creative art of animation and understand how companies deliver their narratives to promote and market their products. Over the years, we have seen so many clever animations from her students. In her classes, Nikki challenges her students to create short-form animations to promote products, and she also gives students the chance to develop animations to express their ideas and give voice to their thoughts. Lakeview Leadership Academy is lucky to have Ms. Jarvis leading this program.”

Mark DuBois, Executive Director of the Web Professionals Association, said, “A few years ago, Ms. Jarvis’ students were the first in the US to receive our Web Animator Certification. Since then, she has added to the ranks of learners who have received the stackable international industry-recognized animation certifications from CTeLearning. This means that they can stack certifications and continue to grow in their skills. The Web Professionals Association has always delivered the message that being a successful professional takes more than just technical skills. To back this up, our Animation certification focuses not only on the technical skills of animation, but brings together ethics, creativity, problem-solving, marketing, and storytelling. Professionals in industry recognize how important and powerful an interactive message is to their client’s products and narratives. As professional web animators, designers, and technologists, we are always striving to do the best for our clients. On a personal note, I just love seeing the next generation of professionals getting started with their first set of credentials from us.”

Dr. Mauricio Castillo, STEAM Researcher at California State University, Los Angeles, said, “We hope to see these students here at CSULA. The Lakeview Leadership students completed a true STEAM project-based learning experience, and they even earned international industry-recognized certifications. Each of Ms. Jarvis’ students have a standing invite to come and check out our university—you are the students we love to have.”

Learn more here about how you can get your students excited about the growing world of animation and have them earn amination certifications with CTeLearning’s Animation course with the industry-recognized certification included.

High School Students Complete Remote Working, Mobile App and Web Design Certifications

Mon, 10 May 2021 19:30:00 GMT

CTeLearning and Web Professionals Global would like to congratulate students of Haven High School in Haven, KS who recently completed the New Certified Remote Working Professional (RWP), Web Design for Business/Marketing, and Web and Mobile Application courses with stackable industry-recognized certifications.

“Jessica has always taken initiative to not only better her program here at Haven, but to truly give students the chance to succeed and showcase their talents. We are beyond proud of these students and thankful for everything Jessica has done and will continue to do! Rock on!” – Tara Cooprider, Haven High School Counselor

“We are not surprised that Haven High School is the first to implement this new short for training and certification from us (WebProfessionalsGlobal.org.) Haven High continues to grow their successes every year in having their Business Education students earn industry-recognized credentials. We are so proud of Ms. Wilson’s students and feel fortunate to welcome them into our profession. Congratulations to all her students. I would be remiss not to also take a moment to thank Superintendent Wedel and Principal Moore. Many districts give lip service to certifications, but Haven makes it happen. We are a professional association and not a testing company, and we appreciate that Haven understands the difference is not just assessing students but energizing them along a career path.” – Mark DuBois, Executive Director, Web Professionals Organization

Remote Working Professional Certifications

New in 2021, the Remote Working Professional Course is an industry-based certification with a new short-form course development led by Joshua Frisch and Steve Waddell of CTeLearning. The development began in the fall of 2019 when the two discussed how they were both hearing from friends and family who had shifted to remote working. One common theme was the issues that remote work presented to employees and organizations. Joshua and Steve decided to reach out to thirty remote working professionals during the pandemic to gain insight into best practices and wisdom about how to successfully work remotely. These video interviews were compiled into what became the Remote Working Professional Course—all in partnership with Mark DuBois and their professional association.

The students who earned Remote Working Professional certifications were among the first students in the nation to take advantage of this brand-new offering that prepares learners to excel in the new world of remote work. There are currently students working through the course in the U.S. as well as around the world in places like Europe and Africa.

“ I felt like I learned a lot from this course. The course gave me various tips and tricks on how to work from home efficiently. The notions varied from where to have your ‘office’ space to how to resolve conflict between you and your fellow co-workers while working from home. I am truly thankful and grateful for the knowledge that I learned in this course.” – Z’Hakari Huffman, Student

“I thought that the course was really well done. I thought it was a good idea to include the interviews of the remote workers because they had to go through this process of learning how to work remotely. Overall it was a good course that I feel taught me something.” – Wyatt Leonard, Student

“The RWP series of courses with certification has been running internationally for a while, and we recently released it here in the US. We tested it first with adults who were seeking to transform their careers. With that initial success and confirmation, our plan has always been to bring it to secondary career and technical education. We are ecstatic about how well this short-form course and certification is doing in the hands of secondary learners. These students have seen their parents rapidly shift from going to an office to working remotely from home. Sadly, many have seen their parents lose jobs because of lockdowns and the lack of opportunity for their parents to work remotely. I believe students today understand the fact that they must be ready for anything in the future. The flexibility to work from anywhere, anytime, will help make their careers future-proof. I am glad that administrators, educators, parents and students understand this. It is nice to see that this course is having an even bigger impact than we had anticipated. Congratulations to Haven KS for being, once again, the first in the state.” – Steve Waddell, Founder, CTeLearning

Web and Mobile Application/Web Design Certifications

“Web design is a growing industry that I plan to be a part of. That’s the primary reason I continued the course, but I also enjoy the challenges it provides.” – Ethan Earls, Student

Haven HS has the Web and Mobile Application Development and the Web Design for Business and Marketing courses running in a two-year sequence. Since the certifications build on each other, Ms. Wilson’s students earn an extra career boost in the second year when the Web Professional Organization stacks and upgrades the awarded certifications.

“ This group of kids are some of the hardest workers I have ever had go through my program. Not only do they strive to succeed as individuals, but they also want to see each other succeed. This teamwork mindset will make them a huge asset to a future employer. Although my name gets mentioned a lot when the success of my program is highlighted, I couldn’t do it without the support of Steve (CTeLearning) and Mark (Web Professionals Organization) and their staff as well as the support of my administration. Our counselor is doing a fantastic job making sure the students take the courses in the correct sequence of the program, which helps set us up for continued success.” – Jessica Wilson, Haven High School Business Teacher

Ms. Jessica Wilson announcing Haven High School’s Award Ceremony some of HHS’s newly minted industry-recognized and credentialed professionals.

2021 Certification Recipients

(Stackable IRCs – Note the students above stacked their previous web design CWMA certification with their CWDSA certification and were upgraded to a full Associate Level Certification from the Web Professionals Organization.)

Certified Web and Mobile App Developer (CWMA)
Paxton DeBord
Paul Evans
Jocelyn Miller
David Yoder

Certified Remote Working Professional
Z’hakari Huffman
Wyatt Leonard
Holden Schneider

Getting Students Engaged

These students are investing in their futures while they are still in high school and setting themselves up to be ahead of their peers in the professional world. Having technical training skills combined with industry-recognized certifications sets these students up with the hard and soft skills to excel in whatever career path they pursue. For more information on courses offered by CTeLearning or the international industry-recognized certifications, visit here .

Why Freelance?

Fri, 23 Apr 2021 18:39:00 GMT

With the rise of remote work due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many are realizing that freelancing for clients remotely is a good way to work from home, increase income and work on meaningful projects. A freelancer is someone who works for a variety of clients and is not a full-time employee with a company. More and more companies are choosing to hire freelancers over full-time employees as it saves money on costs such as office space and more.

For freelancers or those who aspire to freelance, remote work and internet connectivity have made it easier than ever before to find clients across the globe, no matter what your freelancing specialty is. Freelancers work in a variety of industries—graphic design, accounting, writing, web design, HR, digital marketing, and more. Let’s look at some of the benefits of building a career in freelancing, and how you can jumpstart your freelance career today.

Better Work-Life Balance

With freelancing, you are your own boss. You set your schedule for the day depending on what you want to do. It doesn’t mean that you can lounge around all day—having structure and getting your work done is important. But it does mean that you can take breaks when you want to, run errands or go to the gym in the afternoon, and spend a little bit of time with your family throughout the day. Maybe you work well early in the morning, or maybe you work best at night after your family has gone to bed and the house is quiet. How you get your work done is totally within your control, and you don’t have a direct boss looking over your shoulder or telling you how many vacation days you have left. As long as you are staying in communication with clients and delivering what you promise them, you can build a work-life balance that works for you.

More Freedom to Choose Projects

When you work for yourself as a freelancer, you have the freedom to be selective in what clients you work with. This can be tougher when you are starting, as you need to build your portfolio and credibility. However, over time, you can weed out clients you don’t want to work with when you talk to them in the interview process. It may be that a client seems difficult to work with or does not have a very good reputation based on what you have heard from others. Or it may be that the work the prospective client needs you to complete does not interest you. When you are your own boss, you decide what you spend your days working on.

Higher Earnings

60% of freelancers claim that they can make more money than they did with their previous 9-5 jobs. This is no surprise, as the shift to remote work and freelancing has allowed companies to save on office costs. Additionally, if you are freelancing from home, you will save on commuting costs as well as other costs that you usually incur in working a traditional 9-5 office job. And as you build your portfolio and develop your skills, you will be able to gradually increase your billing rates over time.

Ability to Work Worldwide

The internet has opened up the remote work world, and freelancers can now meet clients from all over the world, even from the comfort of their own homes. Websites like Upwork.com and Freelancer.com are used by companies seeking freelancers with specific skills, and as you build your portfolio, you will become attractive to prospective clients. A client who lives in the United Kingdom and likes your skills and portfolio will be eager to hire you, even if you live thousands of miles away in the United States. Geographical distance is no longer a barrier to working with someone else, no matter where they live. Plus, working with people from other countries and cultures is very interesting and will open your eyes up to how others work and live.

Opportunity to Develop Skills

The most common type of freelance work is skilled services, which accounts for about 45% of total freelancing services. Skilled services include web design, marketing, graphic design, and more. Maybe you have some of these skills already, and maybe you don’t. However, even if you don’t, the internet makes it easy for you to pick up new skills and begin offering them to clients. CTeLearning offers several courses for students of any age to learn in-demand skills and build the confidence that they can offer those skills directly to companies. Even if you previously worked in another industry, such as food services or retail, nothing is stopping you from developing skills and meeting the needs of clients from all around the world.

Taking the Next Step

Over the next few years, 52% of the U.S. workforce is expected to work in some freelance capacity. The world of freelancing is only growing, and you can use your skills today to build a roster of clients from around the world who will pay you to put those skills to work.

Getting an international industry-recognized certification can be a great start in learning how to be a successful freelancer and earning the certification to prove it. Click here to learn how you can do so in just four hours, all from your smartphone, tablet, laptop, or desktop computer.

The post Why Freelance? appeared first on CTeLearning .

Why is Google Chrome So Popular?

Wed, 21 Apr 2021 13:45:00 GMT

The internet! Completely useless without a single piece of software. Well, maybe not completely useless, but it wouldn’t be the service we enjoy every day. Accessible, easy to use, and easy to find content.

Much of this is down to a single type of software, the web browser. It does what it says, allowing you to search and browse the internet. Taking what would be a bunch of ugly HTML files written in confusing code and rendering them into something we can all understand and interact with.

There has been a long-standing joke in the community, about the ‘other’ web browser. Some people call it Internet Explorer, and others call it “The Chrome Downloader.” This is because Google Chrome has a 67% of the market share. This is incredible when you consider that Internet Explorer—and more recently Microsoft Edge—browsers come preinstalled on every Windows computer. That means 67% of the market makes an active choice to ditch that Microsoft browser and install Google’s Chrome browser instead.

Microsoft recently based its newest version of Microsoft Edge on the Chromium Browser, which is the open-source project that powers Google Chrome. Safari, Internet Explorer, Microsoft Edge, and Firefox—four web browsers that get completely dominated by Google’s offering.

A Brief History

But how did this come to be?

Back in 2008, the picture was very different. Internet Explorer was the dominant browser. In fact, it had 64% of the market around this time. But Internet Explorer was unstable, prone to crashes, and had many problems. Firefox was running as the second browser of choice—it was open source and more stable. However, both browsers suffered from the fact that they had been around for a long time. Firefox came from a browser lineage that was even older than Internet Explorer. When Netscape decided to release the source code of its dying browser to the open-source community, Firefox was born.

Because both these browsers came about within a year of each other, Netscape came out in 1994 and Internet Explorer 1 came out in 1995. They suffered from the same stale internet ideas that had been present throughout the ’90s—the idea that the internet was designed to show you pictures, some video and a lot of text, then link you to the next thing.

Google came in at a time when the internet was evolving into something a little different, seeing the internet as a platform not unlike an operating system—and, of course, this philosophy has come to pass with Chrome OS, as it is an entire operating system effectively based on the internet.

Google saw the web as a location to play games, run applications and operate services—and it very much treated it that way. The company created Google Docs (a replacement for Microsoft Office) Google Maps (a replacement for AutoRoute) and many other application services. While these products didn’t come until later, it can be argued that without Google Chrome’s application-focused approach, many of the services wouldn’t exist today.

Google Chrome was built from the ground up with applications in mind. To this end, Google began poaching Firefox developers as well as experienced developers from the Netscape team, and they were put in charge of the project. Their job was to create a new browser from what was deemed Web 2.0 at the time.

While the Chrome team faced the problem of creating brand new technologies from scratch, the approach proved advantageous because their rivals Microsoft and Mozilla were both trying to make better browsers too—but they were reworking legacy technologies instead of creating new ones.

This allowed the Google team to focus on building their own custom tools, without any of the “but we’ve always done it this way” arguments.

The biggest difference between Google’s approach and the others was the invention of the sandbox. The sandbox is Google Chrome’s biggest advantage. Every time a new tab is opened in Chrome, that website is run inside a sandbox. It is completely isolated from the rest of the browser. By isolating them, no two tabs could communicate with or interfere with each other. If you landed on a bad website, the tab would be forced to close or freeze—but nothing else in the browser was affected.

The drawback to this approach lives with us today. Google Chrome takes up a lot of memory every time it creates a new sandbox environment for a web page to load in. But the improved stability proved a greater boon.

Google called upon a massive community of open source developers by beginning the Chromium project in 2008, allowing the company to effectively gain free labor from the open-source community. This allowed Google Chrome to align with open-source community web standards.

Because they made the project open source very early on, the browser became very popular with the developer community. Because it was open-source it was much easier for developers to understand how the browser worked, allowing them to push the limits of web technologies in ways you couldn’t do with other browsers. The result was an ever-growing number of web apps that worked extremely well with Google Chrome but poorly with other browsers. This gave the average user even more reason to download the browser if they wanted their favorite web app to work right.

By July 2009, just nine months after Google officially launched Chrome, they had 30 million people browsing the web. This was when Google announced the Chrome Operating System.

In December of the same year, Google released the extensions gallery which allowed the browser to be extended with extra plugins and extensions quickly and easily.

The extensions provided a welcome replacement to the myriad of toolbars you could install in other browsers, which often created cluttered interfaces. Some toolbars would even cause the browser to crash outright upon loading. Google’s approach was far more streamlined and simple.

While all this was going on, Microsoft was being attacked by the U.S. federal government over anti-competitive practices. The government argued that bundling internet explorers into Windows was just a way to dominate the market. Google capitalized on this by giving everyone a choice to install their browser. By 2010, Microsoft was forced by the European Commission to provide an alternative choice to the standard Internet Explorer. Windows users were faced with a new window offering them a browser of their choice.

In 2010, the Chrome Web Store replaced the Chrome Gallery. It was a bigger and better incarnation of the feature that is still around today.

One of the oldest browser extensions is Adblock Plus. The extension could be argued to have created the online subscription model we see more and more today as ads are blocked in browsers.

But in 2015, the combination of the clean interface, fewer crashes, better extensions, and a growing collection of web apps that worked best in it resulted in Chrome browser increasing its market share to 52%—more than all the other browsers combined.

Over time, Google has created more and more web services including YouTube, Drive, Calendar, Docs, Earth, Maps, and much more. Chrome is no longer a simple web browser. It is a gateway into Google’s ecosystem of online services, many of which are completely free to use.

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New CTeLearning Course Features for 2021

Wed, 17 Mar 2021 18:35:00 GMT

What is new for the upcoming 2021-2022 school year?

Well, quite a bit.

Thanks again this year to all of our clients for trusting in us, giving us the feedback we need to create new features they need, and kindly pointing out when a bug slipped out from under the boot of testing.

We have been working non-stop, except when we get distracted by squirrel videos.

A quick video overview.

Here are some new features to our suite of career pathway courses:

Embedded Certification Exams

Embedded Certifications + Free International Industry-Recognized Certifications + Industry Association Membership (High School and Middle School)

Thanks to a couple of conversations with teachers (shout-out to Jessica, Jeff, Doug, and Jill), we went to our partner professional association, the Web Professionals Organization (WebProfessionalsGlobal.org), and had a chat. Moving forward, you will know which students have met the (international industry-recognized certifications) IIRC minimal requirements. As of 3/29/21 the Web Professionals are partnering with us to all your students, who complete a CTeLearning approved course, will earn and receive, at no cost, the international industry-recognized certification (IIRC) attached to the course. Your students who complete the course and earn their IIRC also receive a year membership to the Web Professionals (WebProfessionalsGlobal.org). BTW Teachers you have not been forgotten. You will receive your educator’s membership alongside your students.

**** Folks…. I hope you realize what this means. It means now, you can tell your administrators, parents, PTO, local business, and your students that every student who completes your course meets the minimum requirements will receive an IIRC, and membership to the international association for all things web. This is huge and has taken years to build up to. Remember, the certifications alone typically cost $100 each per student. How does this get done? Each organization is committing the financial resources to make the free IIRCs happen for you and your students .

I know how many of you had tried in the past to find a way to help your students pay for their certification and a professional membership. I hope you will agree this is worth it.

We need to say one more thing about this exciting news. Thank you, Web Professionals (WebProfessionalsGlobal.org), for working with us to make this happen.

Virtual Internship Model

Shout-out to Doug, Tanya, Troy, Mauricio, Hassan, and Vickey for this one. Many of you use our virtual internship (VI) series courses, and some of you have a blend of our VI courses and career pathway courses. As of the 2021-2022 school year, the career pathway courses will now get a VI project built in.

Most of you will know that the VI model concept has always been my baby, including well since before I even started the company. I can’t wait to incorporate the new updated VI projects model into our career and certification preparatory courses. Incorporating the VI into all our courses has been a long time coming.

Holistic Career Readiness – Personal Finance

Shout-out to Diane, Paige, and Mark for giving us the inspiration. We all know past students and friends’ kids who go out and get their first true career job and start making money. Within a year or less, they can’t pay their rent or car payment and start asking mom and dad for help. Unfortunately, they become part of the 60% of young adults who have to go to their parents for money. We know it is not your job to teach personal finance—however, we know our teachers, and you always do more. So, if class time allows, you can help. As of the 2021 school year, all of our courses have a simple, straightforward personal finance project that uses our VI story-driven approach to give your students a personal experience in planning finances for the first year in their career. Fortunately, as many of you know, we built a full personal finance online course, which means we have the experience and the content. We have taken our interactive content on planning and budgets, curated it, compressed it, and sprinkled in some love to create a dynamic project that you can turn on for students, if you wish, to give them some additional financial wisdom. Their parents and employers will thank you.

New Free Creative Tools and some Updates to Old Friends

CTeLearning will share a new free Animation tool for schools who adopt the Web Animation course. Now you can offer this Industry Certification course without the need for an expensive Adobe Animate license.

Updates to CloudCode IDEs Pro, Lite and Live all getting some additional love. Thanks so much to Zain, Yasmin, Pat and Yusuf for helping us test out the updates at their schools.

New Free Design Templates for course capstone portfolio projects adding some additional career-ready polish.

New Career Soft Skills Series – Now available for secondary education

Our secondary educators always benefit from our industry partnerships, and once again, we are bringing some of our global workforce and adult education training expertise to your programs. Our new Remote Working Professional Course with IIRC has been modified for secondary education and is ready for you. This 4-hour interactive course combines media-rich training with the certification assessment built right in. Your students (and you) can earn a career-building certification steeped in the soft-skills and knowledge necessary to land a remote working job. Soft skills are universally required for both technical and non-technical positions, and remote workers make 8.3% more than non-remote workers for the same job qualifications. This certification comes directly from the Web Professionals Organization. Bonus – this course has robust interview training focused on interviewing remotely and landing a remote work position.

Stay tuned for more updates, new courses and check out our courses for more information.

Click to Download CTeLearning Updates PDF

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Q&A With Web Design and Remote Working Professional Certifications Recipient

Mon, 15 Mar 2021 19:13:00 GMT

We spoke with Angelica, who completed the Intro to Web Design course and certification as well as the Remote Working Professional course and certification. Angelica talks about how taking the courses and earning her certifications has positioned her to prepare for the next stages of her career.

What did you like about the courses?

I loved that each of the courses tied in real-life examples and expertise from industry workers. It made my career transition so much smoother and I felt much more prepared for the interviews to follow! The web design course was very hands-on, which complimented my learning style. Both the web design course and remote worker course included multiple methods of learning for individuals to make sure auditory learners could listen, visual learners could visualize, and hands-on workers could get their hands on some real-life examples and practice while following along.

How did the two courses complement each other?

The two courses in conjunction with each other really sets you up for success and prepares you for an independent career in web design. I think for me personally the web design course taught me the fundamentals and technical skills for the web design industry while the remote worker course prepared me for the materials, expectations, organization, and overall standard practices for remote web designers entering a remote workforce.

After applying and interviewing multiple places prior to obtaining these certifications, I quickly realized that many employers want you to have industry experience. But how can you obtain industry experience if the entry-level positions are requiring industry experience before they will hire you? Sure you can watch several YouTube videos and take their so-called “certifications” or coursework, but they don’t hold you accountable or provide you with industry experience. The web design course is different from these types of certifications because it will actually guide you as you build up a portfolio along the way with real samples of your work to show your future employers. It prepares you with legitimate industry experience that you can utilize to prove to future employers that you have the expertise they are looking for.

Then, you can set yourself apart and really sparkle in the interview by pairing it with the remote worker certification. Many employers want their employees to jump in with both feet and hit the ground running because it means less time training and more time spent on projects they need completed. To do this, you will need to be able to prove to them that you are capable of running an independent operation on your own, essentially saying that not only are you able to work remotely from home, but thrive while doing it.

What attracted you to web design? How did you decide on a niche?

I have always had a passion for creativity, art and design, but up until recently did not know which direction I wanted to go with it. In high school, my computer teacher created an entire class just for my sister and I to work on art projects, logos, murals, and designs for the school. She really sparked my fire for computers and design, but unfortunately halfway through highschool, my family moved and I transferred to a new school with no computer program and no room in my schedule for an art elective.

I was pretty lost for quite some time after high school and originally went to college for business. I quickly realized that I was severely lacking creative freedoms. While in college, I was working for a movie theater as an assistant manager. I loved it because I was trusted to be independent, led a team of individuals, and had the opportunity to creatively problem-solve. I thought to myself, I’ve been here the past four and a half years, so maybe I will just settle and make this my career. So I began pursuing a promotion up until last year. As you can imagine, COVID severely impacted the world in 2020, and unfortunately that includes movie theaters. I feared for my future and asked myself what I was truly passionate about. I began to do quite a bit of soul-searching, personality assessments and career counseling—you name it, I did it. It was then that I remembered what it felt like to have that true creative freedom like I did back in high school and I began searching for careers for creative individuals. During this search I stumbled upon web design, and when researching how to get into the industry I found CTe Learning’s Web Design Apprentice certification course. I lit up with excitement and enrolled the very same week.

A year ago, I wouldn’t have believed you if you told me I would have confidently decided upon a career, obtained a certification in its industry, and better yet, specified the niche I would be pursuing. I had always been so incredibly indecisive that I felt like I was Barry Benson from the “Bee Movie,” where he watches a board of jobs flashing before his eyes and is expected to pick just one for the rest of his life. It was beyond daunting to even think about, let alone to hone in on a specific niche within that career. So, what is my niche and how did I decide to focus on it? Similarly to how I stumbled upon web design, real estate and investing sort of fell into my lap. My husband would watch YouTube videos of real estate investors and financial planners and I began to watch them with him. I got so into it that I started listening to real estate podcasts, reading investing books, joining Facebook groups, etc.

So how does this tie in with my passion for web design? Well, I am currently interning with a real estate investor as his marketing and web design assistant. I realized what a beautiful merge of my two passion topics it was and began thinking of ways to eventually start my own business. I decided that I wanted to market my skills to real estate agents looking for personal websites and real estate investors who need a website to market to potential investors.

What do you like about working from home?

First of all, I LOVE the fact that I get to spend so much time with my two golden retrievers, Bear and Honey. They provide so much comfort and support during a stressful day and I love being able to have them by my side while I work. I get so much time to take them on walks now and work on training them as they’re both still puppies. I also love not having to commute to a physical building. I feel like so much of my day is wasted when I drive—unlike when I wake up, get ready (while mentally preparing for work), and sit down ready to go. I also love being in charge of my own schedule and separating out time blocks to create a beautiful work-life balance. It allows me to work really hard or really deep for a certain amount of time because I love getting things done early so I can spend the rest of the day taking my goldens out for walks, running errands, exercising, and all the other things I wouldn’t normally get to do at an office.

How has remote work shifted your perspective in terms of clients?

I haven’t started working with clients yet, however, I have already experienced the limitless potential of remote work in terms of connectivity. I have connected and met with more people working remotely than I have ever before. I think because of COVID, many people and their mindsets surrounding technology shifted in order to continue to network, engage with new clients, and stay connected. Having the opportunity to work remotely means that I have as much access to Jill from next door as I do with Mahali from Ethiopia. The client potential is limitless!

What did you like about the interview section of the remote worker course? Did it help improve your confidence in interviewing?

I would say my favorite part of the Remote Working Professional course was the interview section. Please TAKE NOTES in this section, it is pure gold! Not only did it prepare me for my web design interview, but my interviewers actually stopped several times to say how amazing my responses were because they felt that I had researched how to answer their questions perfectly. They were so incredibly impressed and my confidence skyrocketed. This section really made me think about how I would specifically answer their questions and how I could create a lasting impression, and it did just that.

To learn more about the Remote Working Professional Course, click here .

The post Q&A With Web Design and Remote Working Professional Certifications Recipient appeared first on CTeLearning .

K-12 Schools Receive $123 Billion in New Funding

Thu, 11 Mar 2021 15:52:00 GMT

On March 10, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 1319, the American Rescue Plan Act, which President Biden is expected to sign into law this week. The bill includes $123 billion in funding for elementary and secondary schools across the country. With the COVID-19 pandemic, many schools are seeking curriculum options that allow their students to learn from anywhere—even at home at the kitchen table—and this funding will be used by school districts to achieve just that. Much of the funding is directed to be used by schools to offer innovative programming to re-engage and excite students—not only for the coming school year, but also in afterschool and summer courses.

CTeLearning offers STEAM courses that can be administered by schools in the classroom, remotely, or through a hybrid learning model. CTeLearning courses can also be offered as afterschool or summer options for students. Courses include Introduction to Coding, Introduction to Web and Mobile App Design, Web Development and Design, and Introduction to Artificial Intelligence and Robotics—as well as others. These highly interactive and media-rich courses offer students the chance to earn International Industry-Recognized Certifications (IIRC) to kickstart their journey in fields they may wish to pursue as potential career paths. Courses include teacher training and do not require teacher expertise, making it easy for students to begin learning and creating on day one.

CTeLearning’s newest course, the Remote Working Professional course, prepares students with the skills necessary to prepare for working in the new remote work economy that has changed so rapidly in the age of COVID-19. The Remote Working Professional course includes the opportunity to earn a Remote Working Professional IIRC, an in-demand certification indicating the learner is prepared to thrive in the new remote economy. The course pairs perfectly with CTeLearning’s other course offerings in teaching students soft skills in addition to technical skills. CTeLearning has the curriculum that schools need to meet the challenges of today’s unique teaching and learning environment. Learn more about CTeLearning’s work and by requesting more information or a demo here. Can’t wait? Feel free to contact us directly at 877-828-1216 or hello@ctelearning.com for more information or a course demo .

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First Remote Working Professional Certification in Europe Issued

Thu, 11 Mar 2021 02:10:00 GMT

I am what you would call a “Transitioner.” I worked in various fields including the hotel industry, sales and most recently, manufacturing.

I was already taking a course to receive a full industry-recognized certification in web design when I saw the opportunity to take a course and get a certification as a Remote Working Professional. I had to read it twice. Remote Working Professional? Then it hit me—over the last couple of years, so many of the best jobs shifted to working from home. I realized now is the time to think strategically about my future. Getting these credentials and certification gives me extra credibility when applying for a flexible remote working job, which is a big attraction to me. It also gives me an edge over anyone else who is applying for the same remote position.

Part of me thought I should wait and complete the certification I was already working on. I mean, who needs more work? However, I then saw that I could finish this in just a few hours, and I could even go through the course on my smartphone. When I realized I could complete the course and certification in just a couple visits to my favorite coffee shop, it became a no-brainer.

I wanted to be ready to launch into a new remote career, since I know the world is rapidly shifting to remote work. Many of the best jobs available are remote positions.

An international professional association endorses the Remote Working Professional Certification course. I know that may not mean much to the average job-seeker, but I know from experience that potential employers do look at who certifications come from. A certificate from a business, or for just taking a class, is not the same as a certification from an international industry organization.

What I also loved about the course, which I was not expecting, was how it spoke to how to highlight my transferable skills. This was a new term to me, and essentially means that the skills that I learned in hospitality, sales and manufacturing can be applied to other positions—including remote jobs. This signals to employers that I have core skills that qualify me for the job, even if I may be new to the industry. I have read Department of Labor research that suggests that people usually change their careers 3-7 times in their lifetime.

I also surprised myself to have the guts to start as a freelancer or remote professional after completing the course. You hear these terms mentioned all the time, but nobody tells you what to do to get hired for a remote career. Yes—the course has an option for learning how to become a freelancer as well. Through the Remote Professional Course conducted by CTeLearning I gained much more insight in regards to starting a life as a freelancer.

Another big bonus I discovered in the course is the section dedicated entirely to preparing for an interview, in any industry, for a remote working job. The reality is that how you approach answering questions for remote work is different than for a job where you show up to an office.

The highlights of the course were learning specific answers to the following questions:

These topics were my personal favorites as they gave me real tips and tools to set up my next career for success.

I recommend everyone invest in the Remote Working Professional course and certification. Many life lessons have been compacted in a couple of chapters, and they are easy to put into practice!

One of my favorite quotes from Jim Rohn is, “It’s important to learn from your mistakes, but it is BETTER to learn from other people’s mistakes, and it is BEST to learn from other people’s successes. IT accelerates your own success.”

I had no idea all the responsibilities that came along with working remotely, but now I am more confident to start my career in the remote world thanks to all the professionals that participated in the making of this wonderful course.

—Ingrid F. K. Soto

To learn more about the Remote Working Professional Course, click here .

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SpaceX SN10 Rocket Sticks Initial Landing in Texas

Fri, 05 Mar 2021 02:14:00 GMT

Simply spectacular. Kudos for firing the 3 raptors on the way back down. SN10 stuck its landing with a little bounce, otherwise absolutely perfect. Then to surprise us all, a few minutes later, just as you were coming down from the high of seeing history made, SN10 does a RUD to remind us all how hard all of this is to do. I am in awe. Congrats to the whole SpaceX team. I can’t wait to see SN 11 fly.

Oh and then to see their robot dog checking out the crash. Way too much fun…way too much.

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CTeLearning and the Web Professionals Organization Announce Release of Career Transformation Series

Mon, 01 Mar 2021 12:37:00 GMT

The CTeLearning and WebProfessionals Organization are proud to announce the release of the Career Transformation Series, a one-of-a-kind certification course aimed at helping those working remotely around the globe. The Career Transformation Series features text and video courses covering all aspects of remote work to help learners prepare to excel in the new remote work world that has rapidly grown in the age of COVID-19.

Each course within the series combines a media-rich self-paced training program with embedded certification assessments, allowing the learner to earn an international industry-recognized certification (IIRC) as they progress through the course. The focused nature of each course in the series means that in just one afternoon the learner can learn and earn career building credentials, and download the certification to prove it. The certification indicates the recipient has met standards agreed upon by industry and is ready to work as a remote worker anywhere in the world, making it a credential in high demand among employers seeking to hire remote professionals.

These courses and their certifications are not focused on technical careers or technical skills, but give the learner the skills and knowledge to make them marketable in the global workplace. Whether you are in customer service, sales, design, management, services, product support, development, web design, or any career you can do remotely, then the skills you learn in this course transcend all industries, careers and levels.

Each course also includes an interview preparation chapter, which features videos explaining how to ace the interview and land a job as a remote worker. The videos cover how to prepare for interviews as well as some of the most common questions that hiring managers ask candidates when interviewing for remote work positions. These videos feature a professional who has been working remotely for over 30 years and has hired numerous remote workers for his own business.

Three Career Pathways

The core course is the Remote Working Professional (RWP) Pathway, which covers how to work remotely, how to communicate with others, how to work smarter and more productively, new dynamics of remote work, ethics of remote work, and bonus features packed with information that all remote workers should be aware of.

The Remote Professional Freelancer (RPF) Pathway (coming early March 2021) includes the core RWP course plus an advanced chapter on how to work and excel as a freelancer in the remote work world. The chapter includes information on how to develop skills to be a freelancer, selling those skills, managing clients, considerations as a freelancer versus working for a company, sticking to a work schedule and much more. Upon completion, students will receive a Remote Professional Freelancer IIRC (in addition to the core Remote Working Professional IIRC earned after completing the core course).

The Remote Professional Manager (RPM) Pathway (coming mid-late March 2021) also includes the core RWP course and builds on it with an advanced chapter on how to be a manager as a remote worker. The chapter includes information on project management, dealing with difficult employees, communicating with employees in other time zones, ensuring accountability among team members and much more. Like the Freelancer Pathway, students who complete this course will receive the Remote Professional Manager IIRC (in addition to the core Remote Working Professional IIRC earned after completing the core course).

The Web Professionals Organization, the industry association comprised of members who built the technology tools we utilize every day in remote work, is the backer of the IIRC. However, you don’t have to be a web designer or developer to complete one of the course pathways. Whatever your profession—insurance agent, customer service representative, language translator, book editor, or just a student who wants to learn more about how to excel at home—this course is for you.

Get Started Today

No matter what industry you work in, or even if you are a high school or college student beginning to think about your career, this course is for you. COVID-19 has forever changed the ways we learn and work, and the shift from traditional office spaces to remote work settings will continue in the coming years. Prepare yourself for the new world of remote work by arming yourself with the knowledge, skills and industry certification that will enable you to thrive.

If you’re ready to take control of your future, visit Remote Working Professional Course and Certification Info to get started today.

Are you a workforce center development board, career and tech center, university, school district or other career/employment organization? Message us or email swaddell@ctelearning.com and ask about our special institutional discount program.

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Looking Ahead to Remote Work in 2021

Wed, 16 Dec 2020 18:57:00 GMT

The events of 2020 altered the workforce drastically, and those changes will continue in 2021. Companies like Facebook and Twitter have announced that they have shifted to permanent work from home (also referred to as WFH) arrangements for their employees, while other companies like Google have announced a work from home policy through the fall of 2021. Work from home arrangements are also referred to as hybrid or flexible schedule positions, and can include jobs in a variety of industries including technology, personal finance management and accounting, sales, education, medical, and many more. Let’s take a look at how remote work will continue to be a growing trend in 2021 and what remote workers (or potential remote workers) should keep in mind as they look ahead to the new year and identify opportunities to join this new workforce dynamic.

The study also finds that 59 million Americans currently freelance or serve as an independent contractor in some capacity, which represents over one-third of the total workforce, and that employers most comfortable with remote work also tend to hire freelancers to get projects done. Upwork’s chief economist Adam Ozimek notes that “Our research shows the long-lasting impact that remote work and Covid-19 are likely to have on how hiring managers think about their organizations. As businesses adapt and learn from this remote work experiment, many are altering their long-term plans to accommodate this way of working.”

It’s clear that remote work and work from home arrangements are not going anywhere anytime soon. Companies are realizing that in many cases their employees can be just as productive working from home as they don’t need to worry about commuting times cutting into the day. Additionally, employers have reported great satisfaction in initiating these new work from home policies.

Opportunities for Remote Workers

On the employee side, this shift offers remote workers a unique opportunity to develop new skills and pursue opportunities that will allow them to work remotely and achieve a higher quality work-life balance. Those who wish to work remotely will need to be well versed in how to interview for remote positions, how to be productive as a remote worker, and how to communicate with colleagues when they are halfway around the world instead of in an office down the hallway.

Remote work also opens up new opportunities for freelancing, where individuals can work as an independent contractor for one or more companies—no matter where in the U.S. or the world the company is located. Freelance work offers the ability to choose clients and projects that are interesting for the freelancer. With an array of multiple clients, freelancers can enjoy having some variety in their day-to-day work.

If you currently work from home, or are seeking a remote position in 2021, it’s important that you continue to develop your skills so that you make yourself as productive as possible to improve in your current position or obtain a new one. 2021 will offer unparalleled opportunities to develop skills, grow professionally, and connect with colleagues and employers from all around the globe—all from the comfort of your own home.

Check out CTeLearning courses today to develop your skills for a brand new start in 2021.

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Top 10 Tips for Working From Home

Fri, 11 Dec 2020 23:00:00 GMT

The COVID-19 pandemic of 2020 has changed how we live and work. More people than ever before are working remotely, and many of those jobs will stay remote even after the pandemic is under control. Businesses are able to save on rent and utility costs by allowing employees to work from home, coffee shops and libraries, and they are finding that employees can be just as productive in doing so. Let’s take a look at some of the top tips for workers who find themselves working from home, commonly referred to as WFH, so that they remain as productive as possible.

Designate a Work from Home Workspace

When you begin working remotely, set up an area of your house that you can dedicate to getting your work done every day. Ideally, this is a separate room where you can have peace and quiet (more on that later). You should have a desk with enough space to spread out your computer and work materials, and the background should be appropriate and appealing for what others see behind you on video calls. Make sure you have an ergonomic chair, a solid internet connection, good lighting, and anything else you need to set you up for success.

Have a Morning Routine

Once you begin remote working, you will quickly find out that a set morning routine can help you in getting focused each and every day to be productive. Your morning routine should include the basics—showering, eating a good breakfast, and brushing your teeth. And although it may be tempting to work from home in your pajamas, it’s important to change into something a bit more professional. This helps you change your mindset into a productive one as well as makes you presentable for video calls. Have your coffee and tea ready to go and be at your desk by a certain time each morning.

Set a Daily To-do List

Spend five minutes every morning creating a list of what you would like to accomplish that day. Schedule you morning and afternoon around getting those tasks done. This will give you a better sense of accomplishment at the end of the day. If you are really organized, you can block out your day by hour and activity to stay focused.

Avoid Distractions

Avoiding distractions can be difficult when working from home—especially if you live with family members, friends or roommates who are around during the day. As mentioned earlier, try to designate a separate room as your workspace if possible, and let others in your home know that you are working between a set period of hours each day. Just because you are home doesn’t mean that you have time to hang out. It’s also important to remove online distractions such as social media, checking personal email, and reading the news. These are fine to do, but a quick break can quickly turn into wasted time.

Take Breaks

Taking breaks periodically is crucial to a productive day. If you work constantly throughout the day, you will become fatigued and lose focus. Take breaks throughout the day to get lunch, take a walk, hit the gym, or play with your kids for a bit. Doing this breaks up the day and allows you to return to your work with a stronger focus.

Utilize Technology

With the internet, it is easier than ever before to work remotely. There are a ton of tools for video calling, working on documents collaboratively, and monitoring progress of team members. Take advantage of video calling services like Zoom and Skype, messenger apps like Slack, collaborative services like Google Docs, and good old-fashioned email. Technology tools can make your life much easier and ensure accountability among team members.

Stay in Touch

Work from home doesn’t mean that you can just work alone. It’s important to stay in communication with others. This can include updating your boss on a daily basis so he or she knows what you are accomplishing or checking on employees you manage to ensure project milestones are being met. Even if you can get away with not talking to anyone else throughout the day and still getting your work done, you should make it a point to connect with others, whether it is co-workers, clients, or just friends. Doing so will help you break up the day and maintain a sense of normalcy.

Be Smart About Communication

Working remotely means adjusting exactly how we communicate with others. While in an office it is easy to walk to someone’s office and have a face-to-face conversation, working from home makes it a bit trickier. If a colleague does not have time for a video call discussion, you might have to communicate via email, text or a messenger platform. This can be trickier, as these methods leave more room for misinterpreting a message when the person on the other end can’t pick up on tone of voice, body language, etc. Read through that fiery-worded email a few more times before deciding to hit send.

Stay Accountable

Being a remote worker doesn’t mean being accountable for the work you do. Set a schedule every day and make sure you are accomplishing what you are being paid to do, whether you work for an employer or whether you have your own clients. Check in with your boss or clients on a regular basis to let them know what you are working on and ask any questions that you need to have answered. And if you are a manager, check in on your employees to make sure they are being held accountable for their work as well.

Disconnect when Necessary

When you work from home, it can be easy to blur the work-life balance that is so important—especially if you do not have the luxury of a home office. If you work every day at the dining room table, try to have a set time when you shut off the computer to have dinner and spend time with your family. Most remote positions do not require around-the-clock attention, so make sure you are prioritizing your own health and well-being by unplugging at the appropriate time and relaxing a bit.

The post Top 10 Tips for Working From Home appeared first on CTeLearning .

Remind Congress of the Importance of CTE Funding

Sun, 22 Nov 2020 21:42:00 GMT

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the United States has lost over 20 million jobs, which represents nearly 15% of American workforce. Skills training is a vital part of economic recovery—without skills training programs, the skills gap will only grow and we will continue to face a prolonged economic downturn. Career and technical education (CTE) programs play a big role in getting Americans back to work in stable and good-paying jobs, and current negotiations in D.C. will determine how much funding these vital programs receive next year. Now is the time for CTE professionals to make their voices heard in support of these programs.

Congress is currently working on passage of the Fiscal Year (FY) 21 appropriations bills, which fund the federal government. To keep the government running, Congress must either pass full appropriations bills or a continuing resolution (CR) by December 11.

On November 10, the Senate Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Subcommittee released its draft Fiscal Year (FY) 21 appropriations bill . This bill serves as the starting point for the Senate negotiating with the House to agree on funding levels before sending bills to the President to sign into law. According to the  Committee , the proposal includes $184.4B in overall funding. This includes $73.2B for the Department of Education, which represents an increase of $433M (or 0.9%) over FY 20.

The bill includes $671M for Adult Education, which was the level funded in FY 20, and $3.58B for Department of Labor Training and Employment Services programs, which is a decrease from $3.61B in FY 20. DoL Training and Employment Services Programs are key to post-pandemic economic recovery.

The bill also proposed the following funding levels for programs that are important to CTE educators:

Ask Your Representatives to Invest in Vital CTE Programs to Jump-start the Economy

It is more important than ever for U.S. Representatives and Senators to hear from CTE professionals about how vital these skills training programs are to our economy—not only nationally, but also at the state and local levels. With more and more people seeking new career skills in this COVID-19 environment, now is the time to reach out and make your voice heard.

Find your U.S. Representative here and U.S. Senator here and contact them today to express support for these programs that are key to re-skilling and widespread economic recovery.

And sign the petition from Voices For Skills that calls for skills training to be a critical piece of our nation’s economic recovery moving forward. Part of the National Skills Coalition, Voices for Skills is a coalition of working people, students, teachers, parents, jobseekers, and businesses calling for a national commitment to significantly increasing our investment in skills training.

Voices for Skills calls on policymakers to invest in skills training by:

The post Remind Congress of the Importance of CTE Funding appeared first on CTeLearning .

Federal Government Targets Tech Giants for Reform

Mon, 09 Nov 2020 14:25:00 GMT

Federal lawmakers in recent weeks have taken the strongest stand to date against tech giants such as Google, Twitter and Facebook, which have long been criticized for monopolizing the industry. The actions include lawsuits and hearings that could have significant ramifications for the technology world and initiate tech reform.

In a lawsuit backed by attorneys general from 11 states , the U.S. Justice Department filed a complaint against Google in an attempt to break up what it views as a monopoly in the marketplace. The DOJ lawsuit claims it is aiming to prevent Google from “unlawfully maintaining monopolies in the markets for general search services, search advertising, and general search text advertising in the United States through anticompetitive and exclusionary practices, and to remedy the effects of this conduct.” Legal experts from all around have speculated.

The lawsuit specifically targets Google’s practice of establishing contracts with other tech companies to ensure its search engine is utilized as the default on a range of smartphones, including Apple’s iPhones. Google has paid Apple up to $12 billion for the search engine deal that the DOJ is targeting. The move was hailed by lawmakers of both parties who believe Google has been stifling competition for years. Because Google is such a massive company with a variety of businesses, the DOJ chose to target this specific search engine aspect in an effort to create an “open-and-shut case” and avoid the case getting bogged down by other issues. However, the case is unlikely to be heard before 2022.

Tech Reform Congressional Hearings

In late October, Republican lawmakers invited the top executives from Google, Twitter and Facebook to testify. The hearings centered around Section 230, which are federal laws that exempt social media sites from being held liable for the content that users post on the sites. During the hearings, Republicans argued that the tech giants unfairly silence conservative voices and should be more even-handed when it comes to managing political content, while Democrats argued that the companies should do more to police and remove offensive or dangerous content from their platforms.

During the hearings, which were held virtually due to COVID-19, the tech CEOs defended the actions of their respective companies and argued that there is no inherent political bias when it comes to moderating content on their platforms. They pointed to the money and efforts dedicated to strengthening content on the site after coming under fire following the 2016 presidential election for not doing enough to combat misinformation.

Although it is too early to tell if any of these moves will result in breaking up Silicon Valley tech giants, it represents a serious shift from the hands-off approach of recent years. This will continue to be a big issue for the next administration and Congress in 2021 and beyond, and the tech world will continue to pay close attention to potential tech reform.

Apple Unveils New Mobile App Policies

Tue, 22 Sep 2020 14:45:00 GMT

Many of us rely on apps every day. For web designers and developers, the prevalence of mobile apps is more important than ever before. Let’s take a look at the changes the Apple App Store has undergone in recent weeks, and what it means for mobile app designers and developers .

Apple’s changes to the App Store, which it detailed on its developer site , include the new policy that fixes will no longer be delayed due to App Store “guideline violations,” aside from those “for those related to legal issues.” Apps with guideline violations will now need to address them for their next submission. Additionally, app developers in the Apple Developer Program can now appeal app violations and suggest changes to the App Store.

The changes stem from disputes that Apple has been battling on several fronts in 2020. In June of this year, Apple purposefully blocked Basecamp, creator of the $100-a-year email app Hey, from fixing a bug in the app because it did not offer an in-app subscription option. Because Apple takes a 30% cut of in-app subscriptions and purchases, a policy that has come under fire from popular apps such as Spotify, the company has an interest in ensuring apps conduct transactions within the apps themselves.

Apple also recently terminated the account of Epic Games, creator of the wildly popular mobile app game Fortnite, over legal disputes stemming from Epic attempting to get around the 30% fee. Epic Games has also been banned from offering Fortnite in the Google Play Store.

Let’s look at how much the mobile gaming industry took in for the first half of 2020:

According to Statista , mobile gaming alone topped $35 billion in the first six months of 2020. In the past 12 months mobile gaming accounted for $42 billion in Apple’s App Store, so a 30% share is a significant amount for the tech giant. And the financial windfall has been spread around—since the App Store’s launch in July 2008, mobile app developers have made over $155 billion. Mobile gaming and apps clearly isn’t going anywhere, and the ongoing give and take between Apple, Google and app developers will be worth keeping an eye on in the months and years ahead.

For more information on how you can create your very own web and mobile apps, check out our Web and Mobile App course today .

CSULA and YMCA Bootcamp Gets Students Excited About Coding

Wed, 26 Aug 2020 13:00:00 GMT

With COVID-19 changing summer plans for students, the California State University Los Angeles (CSULA) Pathways program and YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles teamed up to offer an exciting coding bootcamp to keep students learning and engaged throughout the summer months. Over 40 students in grades 4-8 took part in the free program that taught them about career pathways in science, technology, engineering, art and math (STEAM) fields.

Making Technology Come Alive

CTeLearning.com facilitated these STEAM bootcamps in July for the 40-plus students who took part. Students in the bootcamp were exposed to a variety of STEAM skills, including coding, marketing, design and more . Founder and lead developer of CTeLearning Steve Waddell and Senior Developer Daniel Foreman led the bootcamps, with assistance from the wonderful teams at CSULA and the YMCA.

The bootcamps were held 100% remotely through Zoom , making it easy for students to log in from their computers at their kitchen or dining room tables. The bootcamps taught and enabled students to build their very own spinner apps , which they could then show to friends and family on various devices. The bootcamps required absolutely no prior tech experience, teaching them the basics through highly interactive online experiences .

With self-directed activities, videos, animation and coding sandboxes, students were engaged and excited about creating their very own apps. Students learned about how developers use coding and design to create the apps, games and websites they use on a daily basis, and the bootcamp enabled them to create their own app like true professionals.

Many of the students were familiar with or had used fidget spinners , and they were charged with creating their own spinner apps to help someone struggling with ADHD. The CTeLearning team members explained how they, as developers, often use fidget spinners to regain focus when working on long coding projects.

For students who required extra help in the coding bootcamp, the team from CTeLearning, CSULA and YMCA held breakout rooms for students to get one-on-one attention to work through issues. On the last day, there was a launch party for students to showcase the apps they had created to the other students and facilitators. Students came away from the bootcamp with an appreciation for how they could create actual technology applications and learned about the hard skills and soft skills that are required to enter growing STEAM fields such as coding, giving them a glimpse into potential career paths to explore.

Engaging Students with Coding and Design

The students were amazed that they could create real, live applications that they could show to friends and family. The facilitators talked about the impact of the bootcamps:

Bianca Guzmán, Director of CSULA Pathways, said, “The goal for the bootcamp is to immerse under-resourced and underrepresented communities in STEAM careers because there is such an equity and disparity gap for young people of color. Our mission is to engage students in the local service areas so they are well-prepared to enter higher education, which is part of the university’s commitment to engagement and service for the public good.”

Steve talked about the impact the bootcamp had on one young man: “We were using breakout rooms to help students with the apps. One student named David needed some help, and the other mentors were busy so I jumped in to help him out. He had done what all of us have done in coding and mistyped commands in a couple places. A few minutes later everything was working, and then we used one of my favorite features of our cloud-based system—previewing and sharing. The next thing David saw was me using his app on my Android phone at my office 1500 miles away, and then found out that Daniel the bootcamp co-developer was using on his iPhone across the Atlantic Ocean in Wales. David then said something I will never forget: ‘Wow, my coding can be used all over the world—I can affect the world.’ I told him: ‘Exactly, what you just created is already being used by someone 5000 miles away from you. Now, let’s go back to the group and show them what you have created and shared.’”

“You talk about one of those moments that sends chills up your spine—hearing the excitement and realization in his voice was one of those moments for me, and I hope for him too. When we developed our own cloud-based creative suite and coding environment, we made sure it would work well with bootcamps we run like this one with CSULA and YMCA. It is awesome to see students get excited about designing, creating and sharing an app with family and friends—the sense of accomplishment is obvious.”

Daniel, the other CTeLearning web developer and bootcamp leader, said, “There were a couple things that really struck me when we helped lead this bootcamp. One was how enthusiastic all the students were. I guess I should have expected it. Everybody has a smartphone these days and students love them. We had built some new technology that made it easy for the students to create and share on Android and iOS devices, and I think we made the tech easy so students at any level could enjoy creating and sharing their work. This experience also took me back to when, as a kid, my dad let me touch the keyboard and showed me how to make something happen on the computer screen. It was like a whole new world had been opened up for me. I remember the look I had in the reflection of the computer screen, and the smile my dad had at my excitement. Anyway, I saw the look in these students’ eyes, and I’m so glad I got to be there. Thanks to CSULA and their YMCA partners for letting us be a part of this.”

The entire team would like to thank the Web Professionals Organization (webprofessionals.org)—the non-profit professional association dedicated to the support of individuals and organizations in the coding industry—for endorsing the bootcamps as youth career and workforce building programs . CTeLearning has enjoyed its partnership with CSULA in bringing fully online courses and bootcamps to students, and it looks forward to continuing to get more students excited about coding, design, and career pathways.

Learn More About An Exciting Coding Bootcamp For Your Students

The CTeLearning team works with after-school programs to offer innovative and engaging bootcamps for students to learn new skills. Contact us today for more information and a free demo on how we can help you get your middle school or high school students excited about STEAM.

Middle and High School Coding Bootcamp Offerings from CTeLearning.com include:

And ask us about our career-ready courses complete with international industry-recognized certification prep and support for secondary, post-secondary and workforce programs.

CTeLearning.com Offers Fully TEKS-Aligned Intro to Web Technologies Curriculum Online

Thu, 06 Aug 2020 21:16:00 GMT

CTeLearning.com is proud to offer an Introduction to Web Technologies course that is in full alignment with Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) course standards.

To help the course appeal to all Texas students, we take a project-based learning (PBL) approach and use exciting projects where students create web games, apps and sites to apply their learning. Web games, apps and sites have exploded in popularity, and this course prepares middle school and high school students to explore web technologies as a potential career pathway.

Jeff, one of the high school teachers who teaches the Web Technologies course, says “The course puts students in an exploration mode where they’re able to explore and figure out what they’re interested in. I have had students take the course and realize they really enjoy it. Some begin thinking of going in that direction as a career once they graduate, and having these types of online courses makes it easier for me to help them.”

Jeff went on to discuss the experience working with the CTeLearning.com team: “Steve and the team were very helpful when all this COVID stuff went down. They had me set up with my classes in a day or two, so I could offer that class online instead of trying to piecemeal it together. And that was really great.”

In the age of COVID-19, schools are looking for alternate ways to keep students engaged and on the path to success. Introduction to Web Technologies is the perfect course for ensuring students continue to learn seamlessly and without interruption.

Do you want your students to obtain industry credentials to help kick-start their careers and add more value to their career pathways? Don’t forget to check out the international industry-recognized certification this TEKS aligned course prepares students for.

COVID and Learning Certification Grants Made Available to CTE Programs

Mon, 03 Aug 2020 13:22:00 GMT

$500 – $5000 Certification Grants Made Available to CTE Programs

WebProfessionals.org, a not for profit organization for the global web design and development community, has announced certification grants for web students and teachers in the U.S at no cost to the students or schools .

Career Opportunities and COVID

CTeLearning.com is a proud online curriculum development partner of WebProfessionals.org. A number of endorsed CTeLearning courses offer these international industry-recognized certifications (IIRC) provided exclusively by WebProfessionals.org.

The Value of Industry-Recognized Certifications

These certifications are valuable credentials for students to demonstrate to potential employers and clients their skills and knowledge base. Earning IIRCs at the secondary level raises student career awareness, college and career readiness, and academic performance and self-esteem.

Courses and Certifications Online and Remote Learning Friendly

We do not know what the 2020-2021 school year will be like. Nobody truly knows whether we will have a stable year in the classroom or will be dealing with rolling quarantines and a mix of in-class and remote learning, or hybrid learning .

These certifications and their endorsed courses are completely PC, Mac and Chromebook enabled. Only schools seeking the Web Animation certification will need to have students use a PC or Mac (due to the Adobe Animate requirement). However, all of the other IIRCs listed above and their partner courseware are 100% PC, Mac and Chromebook ready with nothing to download on the device, so there is zero footprint.

Teaching CTE during COVID

The adopted endorsed courses and certification exams can be taught in the classroom, online, or as a combination in a remote learning setting. Students can learn and progress in the courses and earn the certification exams from anywhere, even in the comfort of their own home. With COVID-19 impacting learning in the traditional classroom , these courses and certifications are a great way to keep your students engaged during the pandemic.

Certification Grants for Schools During COVID

If you are a teacher, curriculum director, CTE director or administrator interested in exploring how your high school or tech program can benefit from these certification grants, contact us today at COVIDgrants2020@ctelearning.com .

We would like to thank the professionals at WebProfessionals.org and their management team for making these grants available.

Grants range from $500- $5000 per school. The pool of certification grants is limited and available for the 2020-2021 school year.

CSULA and GEAR UP Program Bootcamps Inspire Los Angeles Students

Tue, 21 Jul 2020 17:47:00 GMT

As organizations scramble to find ways to connect with middle school and high school students through summer bootcamps and afterschool programs , the partnership between the California State University Los Angeles (CSULA) Pathways program and Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) GEAR UP program has been immensely successful, even in the age of COVID-19 .

Engaging Students Through Online STEAM Learning

CTeLearning helped lead STEAM bootcamps in July for the LAUSD Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP) program. GEAR UP is a Department of Education program that provides six-year or seven-year grants to partners to provide services at high-poverty middle and high schools , often with an emphasis on STEM programs . GEAR UP grantees serve students beginning no later than seventh grade and follow them through high school. GEAR UP programs support early intervention that helps students improve academic performance, increase educational expectations, and prepare for postsecondary education .

Students in the bootcamps learned coding, design, marketing, career skills and more over the four day bootcamps held entirely over Zoom . They were led by Steve Waddell, founder and lead developer of CTeLearning, and Daniel Foreman, senior lead developer of CTeLearning, as well as a terrific team from the CSULA Pathways program and mentors from the Los Angeles Unified School District GEAR UP program. The bootcamps engaged students, leveraging the art aspect of STEAM learning in teaching students how to create online spinner apps they could share with their family and friends or even continue to develop to market and sell.

This fun, hands-on and highly interactive online experience taught students with no prior coding or design experience the basics of web and mobile app development . Students progressed through a series of self-directed course activities rich with videos, animation and cloud-based art tools and coding sandboxes to allow them to create, experiment and play with their code and app graphics like professionals. The GEAR UP bootcamps assumed that none of the students had any prior experience with coding or art, so the media-rich tutorials ensured all students had the tools to learn what they needed to be successful.

Campers who needed extra help were invited into Zoom breakout rooms where CSULA Pathways team members worked one-on-one to give each camper what they needed to succeed creating their apps and be ready for the big app launch party on day four.

Day one and day four of the bootcamps were MC’d by humanoid robots “Kapono” and “Ethica,” which are part of CSULA’s Charter College of Education’s (CCOE) outreach team. The campers loved meeting with the CCOE robots and learning about coding, robotics and how the robots can dance “Gangnam Style.” Some students even danced along with the CCOE robots. Most importantly, the CCOE team showed students how robots and coding are tied together and can be a fantastic potential career path.

Students in the GEAR UP program learned how fidget spinners are used by youth and adults alike to help with concentration and anxiety, and how Daniel, Steve and some of their development team members use them when working long hours on coding projects. Many of the students shared their spinners with other students and facilitators, talking about how they help them stay a bit less fidgety.

Getting Students Excited About Coding, Design and More

How did we engage middle schoolers in a four-day online bootcamp? By combining coding, mathematics, app design, marketing, digital graphics, physics, and psychology—all with a twist of entrepreneurship and a whole lot of fun. Students got excited about the possibilities of coding and design, and one of the most exciting moments for many of them was when they each held up their phones so the other students and facilitators could see their apps in real-time.

Students had the following to say about the bootcamps:

Wendi Vaughn, Program Coordinator of CSULA GO STEAM / GEAR UP, praised the bootcamp, saying “It was really cool to watch the students interact and learn new technology from dynamic instructors located in different regions of the globe! I know the students were having fun when they opted to stay during the second hour, which was not required. They really cared about completing their projects.”

Wendy Bradley, Academic Counselor for GEAR UP 4 LA, talked about the impact of the bootcamp: “I taught middle school science for 20 years. I remember attending various science workshops and always having to struggle to get my hands on the equipment or be heard by the male science teachers. I was so encouraged during the Cal State LA STEAM bootcamp. The girls were bold, curious and not afraid to ask questions. All of the students made amazing progress in 4 days. They went from being unsure to being in control of their own problem-solving process. We have come a long way! Great experience for all!”

Steve Waddell, who helped create the bootcamp and lead the students through it, said, “Years ago, when we developed our own cloud-based creative suite and coding environment, we made sure that students could immediately share their work with others. Just two quick clicks of the mouse and they are sharing their work with whoever they want. There is something magical when a student can create and share nearly instantly with friends and family. It is one thing to hear praise from us teachers, but praise from moms, dads, uncles, aunts, siblings and friends takes that digital project and turns it into something truly real in the learner’s mind. It is a huge moment for students, and Daniel and I had so much fun running the bootcamps. We appreciate CSULA Pathways and the GEAR UP program for the kindness of letting us be a part of this.”

Daniel Foreman, the other CTeLearning web developer and bootcamp leader, said “Through the interactive bootcamp course we created, any teacher team can recreate this experience. We simply treated all the bootcampers as extended development team members. Steve and I shared developer stories and gave the students the chance to see that developers and creators are just like them. Just a bit older and more experienced, but still having fun building and creating web and mobile apps for everyone to use. Oh, and getting paid to do it.”

The Web Professionals Organization (webprofessionals.org)—the non-profit professional association dedicated to the support of individuals and organizations in the industry—endorsed the bootcamps as youth career and workforce building programs . And this isn’t the first time CTeLearning has partnered with CSULA to bring hybrid and fully online courses to students in the Los Angeles area. Two years ago CSULA worked with CTeLearning to engage over 120 middle school students in an extended series of summer, afterschool and weekend hybrid/online programs on web games, apps and entrepreneurship.

Learn More About Engaging Your Students With a GEAR UP Program Bootcamp

The CTeLearning team works with GEAR Up programs to offer innovative, engaging and meaningful bootcamps for students to learn new skills.

Middle and high school bootcamps from CTeLearning.com include:

Contact us today for more information on how we can help you get students excited about STEAM through our courseware with international industry-recognized certification prep and support for secondary, post-secondary and workforce programs .

Teacher Interview – School District Implements Hybrid Teaching and Learning

Sat, 11 Jul 2020 09:35:00 GMT

COVID-19 disrupted the 2019-2020 school year in a major way. When schools began to shut down, teachers, administrators, parents and students were left scrambling to figure out what the rest of the spring would look like. Read about how one teacher utilized his 14-year relationship with CTeLearning to easily transition his classes to hybrid teaching and hybrid learning , keeping his students on the path to success.

Incorporating Hybrid Teaching and Learning

Doug Devine of Eau Claire School District in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, didn’t panic when his school district realized it would need to move to hybrid teaching and hybrid learning for the remainder of the 2019-2020 school year. Doug has been working with CTeLearning since 2006. As a veteran teacher, he has seen it all, but never a school shut down due to a pandemic. Fortunately, he knew he and his students wouldn’t miss a beat as they continued their classes online. Doug has been using a hybrid learning, or blended learning approach for years , combining face-to-face classroom instruction with online curriculum . So, the shift to fully online classes with Zoom web interactions was less shocking for him and his students.

The first CTeLearning digital course Doug taught starting in 2006 was Coding and 3D Video Game Design , when he was informed just one month before the school year started that he would be teaching the course. The CTeLearning team helped Doug quickly get up to speed and become comfortable with the material. Thanks to the fact that CTeLearning courses are self-directed, media-rich, and highly interactive , Doug’s students were able to thrive starting on day one. Doug later added Web and Computer Animation as another option for students interested in STEM careers.

The courses have helped open up students’ eyes to possible career paths for their future. Doug says, “A lot of my students have the vision of what they want to do for a career path. But it’s always the same answer—computers, computers, computers. I ask them, ‘what area of computers would you like to get into? Do you realize that there are so many different facets of what computers can do?’ Video game development opens the eyes of some to the coding aspect, while others are more interested in the web animation aspect. The courses show the kids exactly how different aspects of computers actually work.”

Doug is able to teach these digital courses from his own home to students in their own homes. This hybrid teaching and learning setting provides a more relaxed atmosphere than the traditional classroom setting, and students can learn at their own pace. S everal courses also equip students to take optional certification exams administered by a professional association, giving them a valuable credential for their career path. And in addition to technical skills , courses also teach professional skills such as ethics in the workplace, professionalism and more, so students develop a comprehensive view of what a career in the field looks like.

Building Relationships with Teachers and Students

Doug says, “Steve and the CTeLearning team are always available to help me out for whatever questions I have. In the course website, everything is laid out well and they’ve continued to make it better and better. I’m really the facilitator for the technology, so to speak, because kids are so good with this stuff nowadays. And they’re so easy to get on board with doing these types of things. Most of them learn a lot quicker than I did. So now I really point them in the right direction, collect the assignments, and do the grading. The kids do most of the work by themselves.”

CTeLearning prides itself on developing innovative, fun, and effective courseware for middle and high school students around the country. The CTeLearning team strives to make the tools for teachers and students to succeed, and stay with them every step of the way to ensure success. This allows teachers to do what they do best—impacting students and building relationships with them, even outside of the classroom through hybrid teaching and learning. This relational approach has resulted in many teachers like Doug sticking with CTeLearning for many years. New Paragraph

Steve Waddell, founder and lead developer of CTeLearning, said, “If there has been any silver lining to the pandemic it was how all our teachers easily shifted from classroom blended learning to full remote teaching in quarantine. As developers, we work behind the scenes and get involved when a teacher needs training, technical help, or someone to vent to. So, imagine when we start getting calls from teachers thanking us for courseware that allowed them to switch teaching modes without skipping a beat. It is what we designed for, yes, but we never really expected something like this to happen and teachers to have to use our curriculum in the ‘pandemic mode.’ Our entire team is proud of how our curriculum and systems are helping our teachers and their students. It made us feel good about what we had built. This ensures we are ready for whatever chaos the 2020-2021 school with COVID-19 or the next world virus brings us.”

Implement Hybrid Teaching Today

Our online curriculum can enable you to become a hybrid teacher and lead your students through whatever ups and downs the coming school years may bring as we navigate this global pandemic. To learn more about how CTeLearning can help make teaching easier, check out our course offerings and schedule a free demo today.

CTeLearning Team Participates in 2020 Web Design Online Challenge

Wed, 01 Jul 2020 19:45:00 GMT

CTeLearning participated in the 2020 “Virtual” Web Design and Development Challenge held from June 22-June 25 in partnership with WebProfessionals.org and SkillsUSA .

First, we need to give a shout-out to SkillsUSA for working with WebProfessionals.org to innovate in this time of COVID-19 and keep alive the spirit of leadership and competition for the next generation of web professionals.

This year’s innovative and fully online skills event invited and challenged hundreds of high school and college students from around the U.S. to work in teams of two on a number of projects that would support the Web Professionals Association’s effort to promote industry best practices and web standards.

Transitioning to a Fully Online Web Design Challenge

When the COVID-19 pandemi c hit, schools closed and SkillsUSA was forced to cancel the Louisville National Leadership and Skills conference, disappointing many—especially those on the WebProfessionals.org/SkillsUSA Competitive Events Team. WebProfessionals.org has organized and run the Web Design Contest at SkillsUSA since 2003.

Fortunately, the leadership at SkillsUSA and the WebProfessionals.org got together and collaborated to revamp the Web Design Challenge in record time, moving it to a fully online skills competition . Our own Lead Developer at CTeLearning, Steve Waddell, was tapped to be the lead judge. Steve has been on the Web Professionals Association Contest Team since 2013, and since 1990 has run student skills competitions for many different organizations in robotics, app development, web development and game design. He offered all of CTeLearning’s expertise in online curriculum and systems to make sure this special competition would come off without a hitch.

All the Web Professionals Association SkillsUSA Contest Team missed being at SkillsUSA in person. We all plan our summers around SkillsUSA. Three of our WebProfessionals.org event team launching a past event. Backs turned to the camera and from left to right we have Mark Dubois Ex Director, Bill Cullifer Founder, Jonathan Worrent Committee Chair.

This online challenge did not replace the full SkillsUSA contest, but it did help mend some broken hearts and allow all the SkillsUSA state winning teams to have the opportunity to show off their skills and compete, all completely online. The online Web Design challenge was designed so that the members of each team could collaborate together, contribute, and create while maintaining complete social distancing. “Just as the professional world learned to work remotely as teams, we gave our SkillsUSA Web Design Challengers a chance to live that experience too,” commented Joshua Frisch, Web Design Challenge Contest Team member and Lead Writer at CTeLearning.com .

Participants documented their progress as they demonstrated their skills in web programming (HTML, XHTML and CSS), web graphics, website design, web accessibility and usability, website management, project management, web multimedia and professionalism . A panel of experts from the web professional community based their winning selection on the following criteria developed by Webprofessionals.org:

The Gold Winners at the Secondary/High School level were Kevin Downing of Whitinsville, MA, and Daniel Cardone of Blackstone, MA. The Gold Winners at the College/Postsecondary level were Matthew Connors and Joey Higuera of Massachusetts.

Steve Waddell said, “On behalf of the WebProfessionals.org organization, the Technical Committee and challenge judges, I want to say thanks to all the teams for putting forward all the great efforts. So much in the world has changed since last year in Louisville. But one thing has not changed—the quality of our Web Design Challenge participants. In chatting with the judges, each team excelled in different areas, and they enjoyed seeing all the creativity in all the submissions. If these winners stay on this trajectory, keep practicing, grow their career portfolios, and add international industry-recognized certifications to their resumes, I have no doubt they will get snatched up by industry when they start looking for that first career move. I am proud to say this is my seventh year as part of the WebProfessionals.org Web Design Challenge support team, and even though I didn’t get to see everybody in Louisville, I had a terrific time. I look forward to next year’s competition, where students from around the country will demonstrate their skills.”

“There is just something electric about SkillsUSA. I missed being there with our WebProfessionals.org team and seeing the professionalism and intensity of the competitors. I am already looking forward to 2021. And whatever happens I know our competition team and our competitors can adapt.” Steve Waddell

Learn More About Developing STEM Skills From Home

In addition to web design and development, CTeLearning course offerings include STEM courses and international industry-recognized certification preparatory courses for middle school students, high school students and post-secondary adult learners. For more information, check out CTeLearning’s course offerings and schedule a free demo today.

SkillsUSA is a United States career and technical student organization serving more than 395,000 high school, college and middle school students and professional members enrolled in training programs in trade, technical and skilled service occupations, including health occupations. For additional information visit www.skillsusa.org .

The Web Design Contest provides quality education experiences for students in leadership, teamwork, citizenship and character development. It builds and reinforces self-confidence, work attitudes and communications skills. It emphasizes total quality at work, high ethical standards, superior work skills, life-long education and pride in the dignity of work. For additional information, visit www.webdesigncontest.org .

WebProfessionals.org is a non-profit professional association dedicated to the support of individuals and organizations who create, manage or market websites and apps. The organization provides education and training resources as well as certification for the aspiring, the practicing and those that teach. Find our more at www.WebProfessionals.org .

Teacher Interview – Transitioning to Remote Teaching in the Midst of COVID-19

Tue, 30 Jun 2020 00:41:00 GMT

With COVID-19 disrupting how school districts around the country operate, teachers and administrators are searching for alternative teaching and learning methods to ensure students don’t lose progress made so far this year and build momentum going into next school year and beyond. By using online courses, one teacher in North Sioux City, SD was able to effortlessly transition to remote teaching his classes, keeping students on track and engaged from their own homes.

When Jeff V. of Dakota Valley High School began to realize that COVID-19 was going to halt the rest of the school year in the traditional classroom, he didn’t panic. Jeff’s students were already learning from online STEM curriculum powered by CTeLearning, so he knew that his students wouldn’t miss a beat. With courses that can be taught and learned from anywhere—with just an internet connection and a PC, Mac or Chromebook— Jeff was sure his students could continue learning from their own homes . In fact, Jeff had one section that needed an online class , so he called CTeLearning and they added a new course that was available to his students the very next day.

Jeff has been teaching career and technical education (CTE) for 27 years, and he has seen how subject matter has changed dramatically in that time. One of the first classes he taught was keyboarding, and today he teaches Web Technologies (Web Games, Apps and Sites) , Web Design and Development , Web and Computer Animation , and Coding and 3D Video Game Design . Although different from his early days of teaching, Jeff has had no problems getting his class set up to continue the school year from home with digital courses .

Making Remote Teaching Easy

Jeff commented on how easy it is to use CTeLearning courses and ask for course tweaks to better suit his class while remote teaching: “Once a class is set up I can ask for a change if needed. That’s been nice, because with virtual learning the way teachers teach and the way students learn has changed. I can guide each of my students through the courses as slow or as fast as I want, as each student learns at a different speed. I don’t have to implement a one-size fits all curriculum and hope that everyone can keep up at the same pace. I have kids that really ‘get it,’ and I don’t want to slow them down. With CTe’s courses, they can keep learning at their own pace, and I can jump in to help if needed.”

Jeff’s students love using these interactive online courses that are packed with games and videos to facilitate learning. They can continue to grow in STEM subjects from the comfort of their own home or kitchen table in a hybrid learning setting, instead of watching a teacher lecture from a PowerPoint or whiteboard in the classroom. Several courses also prepare students to earn optional certification exams administered by a professional association, so they can continue to build their skills and knowledge as well as build a project portfolio for a possible future career path. Courses also teach professional skills such as ethics in the workplace, professionalism and more, so students develop a well-rounded view of what it is like to actually be a successful professional in STEM careers . Jeff’s students have gone from playing video games, browsing websites, and using smartphone apps to actually learning about the technology behind what powers them, and building meaningful projects.

Like so many CTE teachers, Jeff not only has a full teaching schedule during the day, but he also coaches the football team after school. Just like any high school, extracurricular activities like football are a big part of Dakota Valley HS preparing well-rounded students for the future. CTeLearning’s turnkey digital courses will allow Jeff to keep his students on track while also enabling him to be part of the football team. Jeff won’t have a problem balancing virtual teaching and coaching, allowing him to prepare students both in the classroom and on the field.

Jeff says, “The video game design course has encouraged my students who have artistic ability and like video games to realize that there is more to it than just programming, and they can actually pursue this as a career.” He goes on to describe how students have found new passions in working through the courses: “ I always want to be surprised by my students, as you don’t know how well they’re going to like what they’re doing or how well they’re going to fit into it. When they end up excelling in it, the nice thing about this course is I can keep finding more stuff for them to do within the course. And so they’re on project three, where the majority of my kids are still on project one.”

Steve Waddell talks about working with Jeff and his students: “When COVID-19 hit, I remember Jeff calling and saying that he had a prep section he needed online so he could begin remote teaching. It was nice that he was enjoying what he was using from us already, so we were his first call. We talked for just a few minutes and decided on a course that could fill the spring semester. A couple of our team jumped in and we spun the course up and it was ready to go by morning the next day. Frankly, we like having that kind of relationship with our teachers. We work hard at what we do. Just as teaching is the life’s work for our educators, that’s what our curriculum means to us. Every teacher impacts what we do, which is why our teachers have direct contact with our development team. We learn from the teachers who we serve, and we like the feeling of being connected and seeing how our work makes a difference everyday to them and to their students. Our teachers know us and we know them, and honestly it makes what we do more worthwhile.”

Help Your Students Develop New Career Skills Today

CTeLearning courses are easily teachable and can keep your students engaged this summer and next school year. Discover more about how CTeLearning can help you make the transition to virtual teaching and allow your students to learn at their own place, from wherever they would like, even after COVID-19. Check out CTeLearning’s course offerings and schedule a free demo today.

How To Switch Careers During a Pandemic – Student Success Story CSU San Marcos

Tue, 23 Jun 2020 14:20:00 GMT

With COVID-19 affecting how we work and live, many people are seeking new career paths that will allow them to work with more flexibility and freedom. Let’s look at how to switch careers by studying how one student took advantage of an online training course that allowed her to learn at her own pace and equip herself with the technical skills to thrive in this rapidly changing economy.

Let’s hear from the student and her instructor.

Tami M. enrolled in CTe Learning’s Web Design and Development course through California State University San Marcos after being injured at her job. She was searching for a new career path that would allow her to learn at her own pace, develop in-demand STEM skills , and work remotely for a company or as her own boss. The Web Design and Development course offered her an opportunity to switch careers and allowed her to work from home at her own pace from wherever she wanted. Tami had worked on early social media sites years ago and remembers that was the first time she got excited about the potential of the internet. However, before starting the course she didn’t have any actual training in design or development. The course taught her everything she needed to know from the ground up and developed her into a skilled and knowledgeable web professional, all as a remote learner .

In the months that Tami was working through the course, she faced several events in her personal life, including a pregnancy, that required her to pause her learning for a time. Because the course is self-guided , she could easily take a break and resume when she felt ready. Tami praised how helpful Cal State San Marcos was throughout her journey, saying “I reached out to them a lot when going through things and having to say, ‘I’m sorry, I didn’t get school done this week or this month. So, can I do an extension?’ They were always sweet and encouraging about it. They said, ‘Oh, no problem. We can extend it for you.’” And Steve Waddell, founder and lead developer of CTe Learning, was always available to answer questions Tami had along the way. This unique model allows the student to work at their own pace as a virtual learner , without the pressure of a traditional classroom setting in which all students are expected to keep the same pace no matter what life circumstances happen in the process.

Earning Industry-Recognized Certifications

One of the key features of the Web Design and Development course is the optional industry certification exam , which enables the learner to earn a certification administered by the Web Professionals Association, the premier industry association for web designers and developers. Tami commented on how well the course prepared her for taking the certification exam at the end of the course: “I’ve taken tests before that seemed to include nothing that I had learned. In the Web Design and Development course, every quiz prepared me for the final certification exam. I have test anxiety and was worried I was going to fail, but Steve talked me through the process and said I would do well. And he was right—I finished in 30 minutes, and it was easy.”

Having an industry certification and project portfolio sets Tami apart from other professionals that companies may be considering hiring, which allows her to hit the ground running in getting clients and starting work on projects. Equipped with new skills, knowledge, a portfolio and certification, Tami can work directly with clients to solve problems and meet needs. The experience of taking the course and working with Cal State San Marcos made her a fan of the university and how willing it is to help adult learners like herself.

To others who may be thinking about a new path but don’t know how to switch careers, Tami says “ I would tell anyone else that they can do it. And I know people say that, but seriously, I am the worst with school sometimes. I have struggled with self-esteem issues, but doing this course gave me so much. It gave me more than just the education—it gave me the knowledge, strength, ability and confidence to do it. It taught me that there’s way more to web design than I realized— there are so many different types of jobs out there that I can do now because of this course and certification. ”

Helping Adult Learners Switch Careers and Develop New Skills

Steve Waddell of CTe Learning says “I get to have a unique perspective as a teacher. Since I am one of the co-authors (I also need to shout out Daniel, the other head co-author and the other 24 team members who helped build this course) I know why we designed the course as we did. This course has over 170 tutorial and industry subject matter videos. We created a terrific ‘play with the code’ live sandboxing feel to help the students learn to create web pages and sites. And I can be proud of all the ‘techy’ stuff we did as instructional designers. However, it is when I am facilitating, supporting and helping the students that I really understand their learning needs. The experience allows me to be a better course developer and I enjoy the teaching.

“It is so much fun seeing students reinvent themselves through online education. I am Tami’s ‘teacher’, but the course is really self-directed, self-paced education. My job boils down to coaching and supporting when the adult learner struggles. I struggled when I was first learning how to create web pages and sites and it really is fun to relive some of those early struggles and help guide students over the humps, just like the people who helped me out years ago.

“Tami is the example of what is great about adult education—especially online education. Watching her reinvent herself and switch careers from a more physical type job to a creative tech field was actually quite fun for me. This is what adult education is about. Anyone can reinvent themselves. Web design is about helping individuals, groups and businesses bring their stories and products to market. Tami loves helping people, and when she was struggling with things in life that so many adult learners must deal with as they reconstruct themselves into a new career—including jobs, family, illness, and pandemic—it was her passion to help others that kept her moving forward. I am so proud of how she stuck to it, and a shout out to CSUSM for all their support.”

Start Your New Career Path Today

Maybe you are similar to how Tami approached her career shift and are thinking about how to find an exciting and in-demand career path, even in the age of COVID-19. The time is now to learn at your own pace and begin your career start, all from the comfort of your couch or kitchen table. If you’re not sure where to start, CTe Learning is fortunate to work with many public and private universities and colleges in the US. Our University and Post-Secondary partners offer a variety of course options from multi-year programs, semester-long, and 90-day career certification sprints. If you want to find a school to work with, shoot us an email at hello@ctelearning.com, and we can point you in the right direction.

At a time when retail, food services, hospitality, and so many other industries are struggling, join Tami and others who have decided to explore new career paths that will be in-demand for years to come. Browse the courses and schedule a free demo today.

Do you work at a University, College or Workforce Center?

If you are a school and wish to use CTe’s media-rich and highly interactive international industry-recognized certification courses in your career programs, then contact us today. We are ready to help.

The post How To Switch Careers During a Pandemic – Student Success Story CSU San Marcos appeared first on CTeLearning .

How To Switch Careers During a Pandemic — Another World Education Success Story

Tue, 23 Jun 2020 12:16:00 GMT

Just prior to the COVID pandemic, Tami was hurt on the job. A local workforce program gave her the chance to up-skill herself and retrain for a new career. Fortunately, the workforce group pointed Tami to World Education. In World Education she found a knowledgeable team who worked with her to discover her career interests and what type of career would fit with Tami’s situation as a wife and mother of a young child, with another on the way. Since her husband is an essential worker she knew she needed a career that would offer her flexible work hours. Pregnant and in a pandemic, she knew she needed to find training that was going to be safe for her and her family. The World Education team helped her find the perfect educational and career path for her.

In talking about her passions, the World Education counselor discovered that Tami wanted a career that would be creative and allow her to help others. Tami loves social media, design and storytelling. Her counselor suggested pursuing a career in Web Design through an excellent school in Tami’s state (California State University San Marcos). Tami got enrolled and began to work on her new career path.

Let’s hear in her own words what her experience was like working with World Education, Cal State San Marcos and her instructor. Check out the interview video below.

The Web Design and Development course created by CTe Learning offered her an opportunity to switch careers and allowed her to work from home at her own pace from wherever she wanted. Tami had worked on early social media sites years ago and remembers that was the first time she got excited about the potential of the internet. However, before starting the course she didn’t have any actual training in design or development. The course taught her everything she needed to know from the ground up and developed her into a skilled and knowledgeable web professional, all as a remote learner .

In the months that Tami was working through the course, she faced several events in her personal life, including a pregnancy, that required her to pause her learning. Because the course is self-guided , she could easily take a break and resume when she felt ready. Tami praised how helpful Cal State San Marcos was throughout her journey, saying “I reached out to them a lot when going through things and having to say, ‘I’m sorry, I didn’t get school done this week or this month. Can I do an extension?’ They were always sweet and encouraging about it. They said, ‘Oh, no problem. We can extend it for you.’” And Steve Waddell, founder and lead developer of CTe Learning, was always available to answer questions Tami had along the way. This unique model allows the student to work at their own pace as a virtual learner , without the pressure of a traditional classroom setting in which all students are expected to keep the same pace no matter what life changes happen in the process.

Earning Industry-Recognized Certifications

One of the key features of the Web Design and Development course is the optional industry certification exam , which enables the learner to earn a certification administered by the Web Professionals Association, the premier industry association for web designers and developers. Tami commented on how well the course prepared her for taking the certification exam at the end of the course: “I’ve taken tests before that seemed to include nothing that I had learned. In the Web Design and Development course, every quiz prepared me for the final certification exam. I have test anxiety and was worried I was going to fail, but Steve talked me through the process and said I would do well. And he was right—I finished in 30 minutes, and it was easy.”

Having an industry certification and project portfolio sets Tami apart from other professionals that companies may be considering hiring, which allows her to hit the ground running in getting clients and starting work on projects. Equipped with new skills, knowledge, a portfolio and certification, Tami can work directly with clients to solve problems and meet needs. The experience of taking the course and working with Cal State San Marcos made her a fan of the university and how willing it is to help adult learners like herself.

To others who may be thinking about a new path but don’t know how to switch careers, Tami says, “I would tell anyone else that they can do it. And I know people say that, but seriously, I am the worst with school sometimes. I have struggled with self-esteem issues, but doing this course gave me so much. It gave me more than just the education—it gave me the knowledge, strength, ability and confidence to do it. It taught me that there’s way more to web design than I realized—there are so many different types of jobs out there that I can do now because of this course and certification.”

Helping Adult Learners Switch Careers and Develop New Skills

Steve Waddell of CTe Learning says “I get to have a unique perspective as a teacher. Since I am one of the co-authors (I also need to shout out Daniel, the other head co-author, and the other 24 team members who helped build this course) I know why we designed the course as we did. This course has over 170 tutorial and industry subject matter videos. We created a terrific ‘play with the code’ live sandboxing feel to help the students learn to create web pages and sites. And I can be proud of all the ‘techy’ stuff we did as instructional designers. However, it is when I am facilitating, supporting and helping the students that I really understand their learning needs. The experience allows me to be a better course developer and I enjoy the teaching.

“It is so much fun seeing students reinvent themselves through online education. I am Tami’s ‘teacher,’ but the course is really self-directed, self-paced education. My job boils down to coaching and supporting when the adult learner struggles. I struggled when I was first learning how to create web pages and sites and it really is fun to relive some of those early struggles and help guide students over the humps, just like the people who helped me out years ago.

“Tami is an example of what is great about adult education—especially online education. Watching her reinvent herself and switch careers from a more physical job to a creative tech field was actually quite fun for me. This is what adult education is about. Anyone can reinvent themselves. Web design is about helping individuals, groups and businesses bring their stories and products to market. Tami loves helping people, and when she was struggling with things in life that so many adult learners must deal with as they reconstruct themselves into a new career—including jobs, family, illness, and the pandemic—it was her passion to help others that kept her moving forward. I am so proud of how she stuck to it, and a shout out to CSUSM for all their support.”

Start Your New Career Path Today

Maybe you are like Tami, thinking about how to find an exciting and in-demand career path, even in the age of COVID-19. The time is now to learn at your own pace and jumpstart your career, all from the comfort of your couch or kitchen table. If you’re not sure where to start, let us help. World Education has partnered with CTe Learning to offer a number of exciting course options for you. Ask us about CTeLearning’s career-building International Industry-Recognized Certification (IIRC) courses that are media-rich, highly interactive and self-paced. All courses are designed for learners with no prior coding or design experience. Let’s look at some of the offerings:

6-month International Industry-Recognized Certification (IIRC) Courses

(Traditional self-paced semester courses)

90-day International Industry-Recognized Certification Sprints

(Courses offer the opportunity to earn two stackable certifications in an accelerated course format. If you love to learn but don’t have time for school, these may be the right choice for you.)

At a time when workers in retail, food services, hospitality, manufacturing and so many other industries are struggling, join Tami and others who have decided to switch to careers that will be in-demand for years to come.

Why wait? Ask us to help you today

Reach out to World Education today to begin a conversation. We know how to help.

The post How To Switch Careers During a Pandemic — Another World Education Success Story appeared first on CTeLearning .

How Do You Improve Your Skills For a New Career in Web Design and Marketing?

Fri, 29 May 2020 18:15:00 GMT

How did one young professional develop new career skills that allow her to work wherever she wants, with the clients she wants, even in the age of COVID-19 and beyond? Ashley A. recently earned her Certified Web Designer certification when she completed the Web Design and Development course and certification online through Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, TN. This article explores how those looking to develop new career skills or transition to a new career can do so without any previous knowledge or experience.

Learning New Skills to Compete in a Global Economy

Ashley was working as a freelancer for marketing firms when she decided to pursue web design and development on her own time (which turned out to be in the middle of a pandemic) to develop new career skills. She wanted to expand her skill set as a way to make her even more valuable to her current and future clients, but she quickly realized how it could be much more. She needed a career where she could work remotely, from wherever she wanted. The Web Design and Development course from CTeLearning taught Ashley the skills she needed to know and provided her with the opportunity to earn a certification. Through the course, Ashley built real, hands-on projects that she built into a professional project portfolio to show to potential clients and employers. Ashley learned how to build and code web pages and websites from the ground up using the industry standards of HTML5 and CSS3, the two coding languages in high demand among employers , and learned how to impress employers and meet client needs.

In discussing the course and certification, Ashley said, “I didn’t want to do another four years of school to get another bachelor’s degree or pursue a master’s degree. It was more pivotal for me to get more experience and certifications. Since I’m a freelancer it’s a good way to say, hey, not only do I have the education, I have the certifications that will enable me to contribute.” Like many other students who have taken The Web Design and Development course, Ashley had no previous design or development experience, as there is no previous knowledge required. In fact, many students who have completed the course had no previous college experience or degree .

Ashley’s marketing background helped prepare her for success in the course and certification exam, as web design requires much more than just technical skills . Being a skilled designer or developer means being able to envision the target audience and then design and develop projects in a way that will resonate with them and get them to take action—whether it is clicking a link, watching a video, or purchasing a product. Ashley revealed that she doesn’t consider herself very tech-savvy and had no previous experience with design and development, but the course let her play around and gave her the real-world troubleshooting experience of what coding would look like as a freelancer. She even considers her experience enjoyable enough to be confident about pursuing more advanced languages like PHP and JavaScript. With her newly acquired skills, portfolio, and certification, Ashley can now step into the shoes of consumers, understand their needs, and help businesses meet their goals. And with COVID-19 affecting how we work , Ashley will be well prepared to work remotely as a freelancer from wherever she wants .

In today’s economy, the job market is twice as competitive, especially since people have had a taste of remote work because of COVID-19 —and people are finding they really enjoy working from wherever they want. Many companies, including tech giant Twitter , have announced they will allow their staff work from home permanently. Many other companies are expected to follow. We don’t pretend to know what the world will look like in the future, but we know that those of us that can learn to develop new skills (upskill) are going to be more valuable, and the tech world isn’t going anywhere.

Ashley talked about businesses needing “COVID proofing” in case we ever have to do this again (knock on wood). Is your job “COVID-proof?” How easily could you perform your job from home? Could you do your job from home while watching your children? These are questions we need to ask ourselves when returning to our new normal or seeking future education. CTeLearning courses are perfect for anyone looking to develop new skills from scratch and pursue remote-based careers.

Web Design and Development Industry Certification Course

The certification Ashley earned is administered by Web Professionals Global, the premier industry association for web designers and developers. WebProfessionalsGlobal.org’s Executive Director Mark DuBois and the professional educational team were key in creating this certification that can be earned fully online on the student’s own time. This fully online learning approach design helped Ashley keep earning and working while learning at her own pace. She was able to go into the test prepared and earn her certification without feeling the impact of COVID-19 on her course schedule. Having a certification from an international association carries real weight in the professional world for those looking to develop new career skills.

With more and more employers looking for applicants who have relevant certifications and a range of skills , Ashley will stand out from the crowd as she looks for clients to work with on projects. 100% of students who have taken the course and taken the exam have passed the exam and earned the certification. Steve Waddell, founder of CTeLearning, said: “Ashley is unique in that she already had a college degree. The majority of students who have taken the course and passed the exam did not have a college degree—they simply had a dream of entering a new career pathway and discovered that our courses could be that path.”

Steve went on to say, “This is the certification that becomes this differentiator for you. It’s how you stand out. If a company is interviewing many different freelancers, you automatically bubble to the top because you have the knowledge and extra credentials employers like to see. I know what companies look for, and this course works because for the last 20 years I have been the one to hire and manage web design and development staff.”

That’s why we designed the course to be as accessible and flexible as possible while enabling the learner to transition to a new career. The CTeLearning course Ashley took is available for adult learners who are searching for a new career or want to learn new marketable skills . The course can be completed anywhere with a computer and internet connection , and it is filled with interactive and media-rich tutorials that engage the student and prepare them to pass the certification exam at the end of the course with flying colors. All CTeLearning courses are 100% web-based and compatible with PC, Mac or Chromebook, making it easy to log in and get started learning right away.

Develop New Career Skills Today

CTeLearning courses are easily accessible and available to students and learners of all ages . Why wait to jumpstart your career or learn technical skills that can help you transition to a new career? Make yourself more marketable and expand your career options in exciting fields, all from the comfort of your own home. Check out CTe’s course offerings and schedule a free demo today.

A First in Bahrain – STEAM Students First In their Country to Earn Web Development and Design Certifications

Wed, 29 Apr 2020 21:22:00 GMT

Global Web Industry Course and Certification Engages STEAM Middle School Learners

Six middle school students in Bahrain received web development and design certifications in Fall 2019 and April 2020, representing the first students of any age in Bahrain and the Middle East region to achieve this international industry recognized certification .

Under the guidance of Zain Al-Zayani, founder of Grow Learning Space , these students (Khalid D, Mohammed S, Serena E, Tala T, Dana T and Nayef S) successfully completed the Web Development and Design course offered by CTe Learning, which provides innovative internet-based STEAM curriculum to education partners globally. The course is offered as a supplement to students outside of the traditional school setting , and Grow Learning Space is the only program in the Middle East region where the Web Development and Design course and certification is currently available . Courses were administered both in-person at Grow Learning Space as well as remotely in virtual learning settings , as the coursework can be completed from anywhere in the world with just a computer and internet connection.

In March, Grow Learning rolled out CTeLearning’s innovative “ Mini Online Boot Camps ” for their learners in Bahrain. Boot camps offer short one week online experiences in popular topics including coding, game development, web design, mobile app dev, and 360 web app development. The mini boot camps are perfect for at home learners wanting to explore STEAM careers .

Riffa Bahrain at night.

Located in Riffa, Bahrain, Grow Learning Space runs STEAM sessions for students and adults of all ages on engaging and relevant topics including computer science, electrical engineering, architectural engineering, chemistry, physics, coding, robotics, math, arts, and other essential skills. Grow frequently collaborates with a number of world-known entities, both international and local.

“Congratulations to these six students on their impressive achievements. Special thanks to the head of Grow Learning Space, Zain Al-Zayani, and her staff of STEAM educators for their work in implementing the course for her students and empowering them to achieve internationally recognized certifications . And thanks to Mark DuBois and the Web Professionals Association for all their work behind the scenes to support STEAM education – not only in the U.S. – but around the world.” – Steve Waddell, founder and lead developer of CTe Learning.

Real-World Experience and Career Preparation – Virtual Learning

The Web Development and Design course and certification completed by these six middle school students provided an opportunity to gain real hands-on experience, build a project portfolio and gain credentials recognized globally . By taking advantage of this course offering, these students were able to begin to explore a pathway for their future high school and professional careers. Additionally, because the Web Development and Design course is fully internet-based, students gained a glimpse into remote virtual learning and the future of the globally connected workforc e. Versions of this course are designed for middle school students , high school students and adult learners who may want to transition to a new career or seeking to gain highly marketable STEAM skills .

This curriculum is delivered entirely online , and students can use PC, Mac, or Chromebook to learn and chart their path through the course. Media-rich tutorials with interactive video and an embedded coding sandbox enable students to immediately play with the code they are learning. With this course, CTeLearning supplies a custom suite of online creative and development tools for free. All assessments are built in, and solutions for all project work is provided for the instructors. Students can login in anytime and anywhere to learn and create.

The web development and design certification earned by these students is administered by the Web Professionals Association , the international industry association for professionals in web development, connected applications, and mobile app development that has been serving industry professionals for over 25 years. CTe Learning also offers courses in Web Technologies, Internet and Mobile App Design, Web Animation, AI and Robotics, and Coding Internet Games, Apps and Sites.

Do you want to learn more about Grow Learning Space and their courses and boot camps? Check them out at https://www.growlearningspace.com/whatsup

A Note to Educators – Thank You and Stay Healthy

Fri, 03 Apr 2020 17:30:00 GMT

An Open Note to all teachers.

First and foremost, please stay healthy. The students need their teachers in this time of crisis. As you know, you have students who look to you as that safe person in their lives. Your school is iconic to your students and is part of their identity. You and your other teachers are crucial in helping your students maintain a positive attitude during this lockdown. Most students will not admit that they look up to you and your fellow teachers. They need you to show them that we are all going to get through this. Students need to know that their schools, administrators, and teachers are anxious and ready to welcome them back to the classroom as soon as it is possible. Their school is only closed temporarily, and the mentoring, love, and education their teachers offer are forever present and open. For so many, you are the light at the end of the tunnel. Keep fighting the good fight.

My son’s first web meeting with his teacher and classmates – continuous education in action

BTW … I have been co-officing with my High Schooler. As I was writing this blog post, I looked over my monitor. I saw my son on the other side of the home office online with his Chemistry teacher for their first official continuous education experience. Earlier this morning, when I reminded my son, he had a 10 am webinar, I got the typical teen “Argh OK.” It is funny how quickly his tune changed once he sat down and logged in. He was the first to log in, and he got to chat with his teacher for a few minutes, and then his classmates began to arrive one by one into the web meeting well. Everyone was happily greeted, and I heard how the teacher was missing her students and how the students were missing school (I should have recorded this for future “dad” use). Soon I heard laughter, questions, community, and it was evident that fun and education were happening. We need both right now in all our lives.

Kudos to all our teachers who are making do and doing the best they can for their students.

Thanks and Stay Healthy – Steve

Due to COVID19 – Teachers are asking for early access to new curriculum

Wed, 01 Apr 2020 20:24:00 GMT

Helping out through the COVID19 crisis with Free Early Access to curriculum is just common sense..

Students get free early access to the courseware

We were talking with an educator yesterday, and she mentioned that what would help her out would be if she could start her course now. Her school has adopted one of our courses for the fall, but she said she was in need now of content to teach with. Her current stuff wasn’t virtual or remote teaching friendly. Basically, she was simply asking for early access for her and her students.

Needless to say, we said yes, in fact, we said “Hell Yes” to her getting free early access to her co

Early access is free, and it makes perfect sense to us, and we are glad she asked. We already do this, and we do it all the time. So not really sure there is much to brag about here, but not everybody knows that this is something that we have been doing for years.

Our courses are already designed to work either in a brick and mortar classroom, remote teaching online for virtual learning days, or as a full self-directed virtual learning experience. Since we have been doing early access for years as part of our teacher training well, what we had been doing just for the teachers makes sense to simple include the learners in as well. Especially in the times in which we are living.

So for all our new teachers coming on board, know we have you covered..

For our existing teachers, if you need something, then call. If you need to spin up another course for you to help cover a class for continuous education then just reach out to us.

Stay safe and healthy.

High School Delivers on Industry-Recognized Certifications and Continuous Education Good News

Wed, 01 Apr 2020 00:24:00 GMT

Haven’s Newest Web and Mobile Application Developers

Haven, Kansas March 31, 2020 – Two Haven High School students are the first Kansas high school students this year to earn International Industry-Recognized Certifications in Web and Mobile Application Development from the Web Professionals Association. The industry professional association WebProfessionals.org and the online courseware curriculum provider CTeLearning.com are proud to congratulate the Haven students for receiving their certifications.

Educators and Education Shines

Haven High School’s Jessica Wilson, and Cory and Jevon’s very proud instructor, shared her thoughts about when she got word HHS was going to a continued education remote teaching model. “As USD 312 made the swift transition to online continuous learning for the remainder of the 19-20 school year as did the entire state of Kansas, a colleague said to me, ‘Your students already do this don’t they?’ . That statement gave me a sense of peace; that because of their opportunities with the courses of CTe Learning my students are better prepared and equipped with the tools and mindset for the eLearning atmosphere. As an educator facilitating the courses, it also gave me a starting point on how to tailor the rest of my classes so that my students could succeed outside of the classroom in their new learning environments.”

Jessica Wilson Business Educator was recognized in 2019 for her work in preparing the next generation of web professionals.

Haven High School is in its sixth year teaching this Web and Mobile Application Development course. As of 2020, Jessica Wilson has grown her program at Haven to become the most credentialed high school in Kansas and one of the top in the nation.

Steve Waddell, founder and lead developer of CTeLearning.com, said “It is great to see schools shine during this crisis. Ms. Wilson and her students are showing that the Haven HS students are not slowing down at all. Honestly, we have worked with Haven for years and we are not surprised. Haven’s administration and teachers are the best. So, congratulations to Cory and Jevon for all their hard work. We also need to shout out Principal Moore for all his support for Ms. Wilson’s program. And to Jessica – fantastic job. I am sure your students understand what a gift your program is giving them for their career pathways and futures.

Ms. Wilson teaches a number of Business, Career and Technical Education courses including Web Design and Development , Mobile Application Development and Coding and 3D Video Game Design . All of these programs are online and allow Ms. Wilson to offer continuous education for all her Business Ed students .

Not only did the students create a number of websites, earn certifications in Ethics in the Workplace, and build a future-ready portfolio, but they have now added international industry-recognized credentials they can show college recruiters, future employers or future clients if they decide to start their own web design firm.

“With all the Coronavirus disruption of our nation’s schools, we are so very proud of Ms. Wilson’s students. They are showing what students can do even in these trying times. All of us here at WebProfessionals.org love seeing students take these first important steps towards high demand STEAM / STEM careers in App Design and Development. Their success is even a bit more sweet considering all the struggles our schools are going through at the moment,” commented Mark DuBois, Executive Director of the Web Professionals Association.

Haven Students Leading

You would think that the most credentialed school in Kansas would be in one of the larger cities. But Haven is not a large school or school district. In career preparation and industry-recognized certifications, Haven students are leading the pack.

In 2019, Haven HS was recognized by the Web Professionals Association, their students earning the most certifications of any High School in Kansas.

“I love seeing this. My family homesteaded in the beautiful Flint Hills. With all that is happening today, I hope this drives home that high tech, high demand career education can happen and should happen everywhere. As companies require people to work from home we need to ask why not then live where you want to live and do the work you are passionate about. It reminds us that we should think of the possibilities of Living Rural, Learning Rural and Working Global,” said Steve Waddell of CTe Learning.

10 Tips For Students to Become Virtual Learners During Coronavirus

Mon, 23 Mar 2020 20:34:00 GMT

These may be goals that your teacher or the course outlines for you. Or you may set goals for yourself as you acclimate to virtual learning and gain a sense of what is possible to accomplish and learn each day. Setting goals enables you to begin each day with a purpose and have a sense of accomplishment at the end of each day.

Although you are not sharing a classroom and connecting face to face, your teachers are still available to help you with your courses. Don’t be afraid to reach out to them to ask questions, clarify expectations, or just say hello. Find out what the best way to connect with them is—for example, text, email, or video chat.

It’s important to know what the expectations are for each day you spend in the virtual classroom . Your teacher and the course should lay out what you should be achieving each day and how to measure your progress. Always aim to know more at the end of the day than you did the previous day—if you find yourself struggling with a particular topic, talk to your teacher as soon as possible. Knowing what benchmarks you need to hit for a given subject will help you to focus and learn the material effectively.

This is a great opportunity for you to take charge of your education and learn in the style that is best for you. You will have some degree of freedom over when to take breaks, how far ahead to work, and how much you want to aim to accomplish each day. With virtual learning you will no longer be constrained by many of the limits of the traditional classroom. Don’t be afraid to make this time your own—of course, as long as you are making progress and learning within the guidelines of your teacher and course.

Eliminating distractions can set you on the path to success. Think about what typically distracts you when you are doing homework at home—it could include your smartphone, the television, or people talking to you. Being conscious of these distractions and removing them so you can focus fully on the lessons of the day will be helpful in not letting anything get in the way of your learning. Set up a schedule and let everyone know your schedule. You may have family members working at home who need time, space and quiet, and you deserve the same consideration.

Although virtual learning is fun and engagin g, don’t forget to get up every hour or so to walk around or get a snack. It’s important to keep moving and give your mind a break. You’ll have an easier time learning in the long run.

Above all, have fun! This time is a unique opportunity for you to learn in a new way. Take advantage of the chance to learn from the comfort of your own home while still connecting with your teachers and fellow students.

Stay Healthy – By Joshua Frisch and Steve Waddell

Feel free to reach out to us at hello@ctelearning.com

Is Web Technologies A Good Career Choice?

Wed, 26 Feb 2020 16:26:00 GMT

A career in web technologies is one of the high paying and highly sought after career pathways today. With attractive salaries and the personal freedom it offers, a career in web technologies could be the right choice for you. Every industry, business, government and arguably every person depends on the web the technologies of the web. A career in web technologies offers attractive salaries, mobility, and freedom for creative and skilled workers .

With new web dependent and enabled technologies such as IoT, blockchain, AI and the continual expansion of web services, web sites, games and apps, web technologies is a diverse field that is here to stay.

Careers in Web Technologies

Web Technologies is an incredibly broad career topic. As a web technologist you may work with web servers, virtual web services, web app development, web game development, cyber warfare and cyber defense, AI and mor e. This is a career pathway for those who are always ready for a challenge and love to learn and apply their creativity and passion to making the world of the web work.

Here is a list of the exciting high demand careers in web technologies:

Web Developer – involves creating, connecting and making all the underlying technology of a web site or app work the way the client needs it to.

Web Technologist – brings together the virtual and physical servers, web services and connected hardware.

Web App Developer – involves writing the code and developing the app concept into a product ready for market.

Web Game Designer – takes a concept, pretty pictures, music and sound effects to bring a rock solid game to market.

Web Project Manager – keeps projects and team members on-task.

Entrepreneur – drives the vision of the startup. Most successful tech entrepreneurs are creative highly skilled technical types with an idea and the smarts to build the team of web technologists to make their idea happen.

Graphic Artist and Animator – brings apps, games and websites to life with an understanding of human nature, audience and aesthetics. The web is visual, and the better your visuals the better chance you have of gaining and keeping a customer.

There are many career paths in web technologies— other careers include web law, marketing, sales, administration, blockchain, and more .

Before we discuss the pros and cons of a career in web technologies, let’s talk about the history of web technologies.

A Brief History of Modern Web Technologies

The first real start to what we know of as the web was with the first website created by Tim Berners-Lee on a NeXT computer at CERN in 1989 using a language he developed that would later be called HTML. The first site wasn’t much, however what it started changed the world forever.

Later, Berners-Lee introduced the world to the concept of the World Wide Web. In 1993, as the UN and the White House went online, the National Science Foundation (NSF) led an effort to create a new internet architecture that could support what was expected to be big commercial use growth. In 1993 there were approximately 600 websites on the web, and as of 2020 that number has exploded to 1.7 billion. This means there is a website for every 4 people alive today—an incredible figure.

When you hear about devices that makes up the Internet of Things (IoT) such as video camera doorbells and smart speakers, you typically assume that this all happened in just the last few years, but actually the first internet-enabled device was a Coca-Cola machine that was connected to what we think of now as the internet in 1982 and could report how many frosty cold Cokes were left inside.

In 1994 the first game installed on a mobile phone was Tetris. Today, there are over 2.2 billion mobile gamers, with over 600,000 games available on the App Store and Play Store.

Let’s look at the pros and cons of a career in web technologies.

The Pros of A Career in Web Technologies

The Cons of Pursuing A Career in Web Technologies

For most tech savvy creative types, the pros outweigh the cons. You can expect to make an average of $72,520 per year average salary . The higher end salaries for web technology managers average $142,530 per year .

The Technical Skills Needed For A Career In Web Technologies

If you love technology and are a creative problem solver, you may possess the characteristics needed to succeed in the dynamic world of web technologies. However, in addition to your passion for the web, you will also need the technical know-how to actually put your creative mindset to use.

We offer a course on Web Technologies that is a perfect platform to launch yourself into this exciting career journey.

In addition to understanding the basics of how the web works, you will also want to add project examples to your portfolio covering the following:

Your portfolio and international industry recognized certifications are the tools you use to tell the story of your talent, passion and capacity to be the type of professional that companies want to work with.

Is A Career In Web Technologies Right For You?

Bringing sites, apps games and new cutting-edge technology to life on or connected to the web is one of the most exciting careers you can imagine. However, this work demands creative problem solvers and life-long learners. A web technologist, in whatever capacity they find themselves in, will need to work hard, meet deadlines, always act ethically and be able to be a leader of integrity. The reward for being a web technologist is being a part of a high-demand and high-paying field that is rapidly growing and will be an exciting career path for years to come.

Bring your passion, skills and dedication, and you will succeed in the web.

Content by – Joshua Frisch / Steve Waddell

The post Is Web Technologies A Good Career Choice? appeared first on CTeLearning .

Is AI and Robotics a Good Career Choice? (Updated for 2022)

Sun, 09 Feb 2020 07:23:00 GMT

Artificial Intelligence and Robotics is a high-demand career pathway

Careers in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Robotics are exploding, and the industry is fast becoming one of the most popular career tracks . With competitive salaries, a range of specializations, and the opportunities the industry presents to work on cutting-edge projects that we utilize in our daily lives, a career in AI and robotics is worth exploring. AI and robotics are all around us and we depend on the industry for many things we don’t even realize.

Companies are hungry for individuals who are passionate about coding AI and robotics. The industry is growing rapidly, and this means huge opportunities for people who take the time to learn, as early as they can, if this is a career option and they are passionate about it.

One of the unique aspects of AI and robotics is that the skills and knowledge required to thrive in the field don’t require college or advanced degrees. In fact, Tesla founder and visionary Elon Musk recently announced that he is seeking to add to his AI team at Tesla, and applicants don’t even need a high school diploma to be considered for the team .

AI is part of your everyday life

Don’t expect to break into AI or Robotics career pathway without getting your education. These are high demand high paying jobs. However, in high growth industries companies may be more flexible if you show that you have the understanding of and passion for the technology.

With self-driving cars, autonomous delivery drones, and virtual assistant AIs like Amazon’s Alexa and Apple’s Siri , AI and robotics aren’t going anywhere anytime soon. There will be a high demand for those with AI and robotics knowledge and skills for many years to come.

Careers and Career Pathways in AI and Robotics

AI provides the foundation for smart systems to make choices, while robotics is what actually makes the work happen. Bringing AI and robotics together will allow us to build intelligent systems that will make our lives better and safer.

AI and Robotics offers career pathways for all levels of education

The growth of automation in coming years and decades will provide immense job opportunities globally. The World Economic Forum predicts AI will create 58 million more jobs than it will displace by 2022, and robotics is projected to continue to grow at a rate of 25% over the next five years . Automation robot integrators such as TW Automation are one of many examples bringing factories into the new technological age with robotics.

Here is a list of p ossible careers you can consider pursuing in AI and robotics:

There are a wide variety of careers in AI and robotics, and that is going to continue in the future.

Before we discuss the pros and cons of a career in AI and robotics, let’s look at the history of these fields.

A Brief History of AI and Robotics

Alan Turing one of the founding fathers of AI

The famous British polymath, Alan Turing, was one of the first to openly discuss the idea of AI in his 1950 paper “Computing Machinery and Intelligence.” The term “artificial intelligence” was first coined several years later in 1956 at a conference at Dartmouth College in Hanover, New Hampshire.

Over the following decades, the study of AI fluctuated, due in large part to the availability of government funding. Agencies like the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) were instrumental in providing funding to AI researchers to institutions around the country.

By the 1990’s and 2000’s, AI had exploded and drawn more public attention than ever before. One key moment was the 1997 chess match in which reigning world champion and grandmaster Gary Kasparov was defeated by IBM’s Deep Blue , a chess-playing computer program.

Tesla Self Driving Car

Today, AI and robotics are present in virtually every industry we rely on every day, including banking, retail, home entertainment, healthcare, agriculture, transportation and more . Future goals for AI include developing a machine that surpasses human cognitive abilities in all tasks.

Let’s examine some of the pros and cons of a career in AI and robotics.

The Pros of A Career in AI and Robotics

The Cons of Pursuing AI and Robotics

Engineers in robotics and AI earn an average of $171,000 per year, according to Paysa.

The Technical Skills Needed In AI and Robotics

AI Robotics Digital Badges and Industry Completion Certificates Available

If you think you would enjoy working with AI and robotics, it’s important to understand what skills are required to flourish in the field.

Teaching and Learning

We offer a course on Artificial Intelligence and Mobile Robotics that is a great place for creative students—both young and old—to begin their journey into the exciting fields of AI and robotics.

The course teaches and equips learners with the following:

Is This Career Path Right For You?

Many of those in the AI and robotics fields have extremely demanding jobs and work long hours, but the benefits include working on cutting-edge technologies that can quite literally shape the world as we know it, making our lives easier and more enjoyable. This field has ample opportunities available for smart, driven and passionate young professionals like you.

Is Computer Animation A Good Career Choice?

The post Is AI and Robotics a Good Career Choice? (Updated for 2022) appeared first on CTeLearning .

Should Educators worry about Windows 7?

Tue, 14 Jan 2020 00:39:00 GMT

Educator Warning, as of January 14, 2020, Windows 7 on your school and personal systems will no longer receive security updates or technical support from Microsoft.

Here is what is really scary… 26% of the computers in the world are still running Windows 7. How many of them are in your school? Your guess is as good as mine. But there is a way to find out without bugging the IT department.

Should Educators worry about Windows 7?

Windows 7 Start Button

As we know, education sometimes lags behind industry in keeping up with software changes. I can’t blame the school IT departments as they are always understaffed, underfunded, and not always well supported by their administrations. The reality is for some districts when you are struggling to find the funds to buy copy paper. Updating operating systems can seem like an extravagance.

Example Windows 7 Version Page

However, at this point, if the computers in your lab are running Windows 7, then you need to be aware that as of 01/14/2020, the Windows 7 operating system from Microsoft will no longer receive security updates or any support what so ever. You may not be able to change the situation, but you can at least be ready and aware.

How do I check my school computers?

Method One

Click on the Start button (lower left of your Windows screen)

Type into the Start Menu’s Search Box winver

Press Enter

If the version page refers to Windows 7 Home or Windows 7 Professional, then there is your answer.

Windows 7 Start Search Box

Method Two

An alternative method (depending on your system permissions), you can right-click on the desktop screen and click on Display Settings. This will bring up a window and you can look on the left side menu and click on About. About will list some Windows Specifications, one of which is “Edition,” and this will be either Windows 7, 8, or 10.

What does this mean?

Well, without Microsoft updating the Windows 7 operating system, it first means that systems with Windows 7 will become more vulnerable to viruses and cyber-attacks (even with anti-virus software in place). Microsoft will cease give technical support for Windows 7. This means that if something terrible happens – well, you and your school are on your own. Companies that provide some software you use will stop updating their software to maintain compatibility with Windows 7, and this will mean more vulnerability to your systems for you.

Should our clients be worried if they have Windows 7?

Lead Developer – Steve

The post Should Educators worry about Windows 7? appeared first on CTeLearning .

Career and Technical Education CTE – Live Rural, Learn Rural and Work (Earn) Global Initiative

Thu, 28 Nov 2019 22:21:00 GMT

Flint Hills – Where my family homesteaded.

There is no reason for the brain drain that has happened in the past few decades to continue to happen in our rural parts of the US. I have seen the small town my father grew up in – the one I fondly remember visiting as a child to see my grandparents – dwindle away as the majority of high school graduates move away and don’t come back. That brain drain decimated the local economy.

At one time, the wisdom was that if you wanted to be a part of a STEM/STEAM career, you had to move to an urban/suburban area. And OK, ten or twenty years ago I would have agreed with that, but not today.

Anyone who knows me knows that I believe education is the solution to everything . A naive belief maybe – but I am sticking to it. Things have changed and rural communities can benefit. So, let me make my case, and you will have plenty of time to judge me later.

What we need our rural youth to see is that they can have a highly creative, high-tech, high-demand, and a high paying careers wherever they want to live. Geography is not the determinant of their work and pay. It is a student’s passions, talents, skills and determination that will decide their career path. Again NOT geography.

What are some careers that allow a rural student to graduate and remain in their rural community?

What types of careers can a student expect to do that are high-tech, high-demand and high pay? For careers that would allow the student to graduate and remain in their rural community, web development, web design, web technologies, web animation and web and mobile applications are at the top of the list.

Notice that all of these careers have the word Web in them. These careers also have some similar characteristics in that they are creative, high-tech, yet do not demand any specialized equipment.

Web technology careers are especially in-demand for rural learners to explore.

Let’s look at why careers with “Web” in them make such good sense for rural communities.

Paid Internship in Action. Client (Top Left) , Mentor – Steve of CTeLearning.com (Top Right), Rural Educator and her web technolgy student meeting the client and discussing the internship project goals and timeline. (Thank You Jessica W at Haven HS)

Let me tell you a little story. In the early days of us shifting our courseware from desktop (we used to deliver our courses on CDs – sometimes up to 11 CDs) I worked with a friend of mine who had a web hosting company. I knew my website was safely on a server in a nicely air conditioned room in town. And backed up to another site someplace else in the US. However, when I sat down with my web guru and showed him how big our courses and learning management system was, he told me that we needed to move to a bigger server and that we were going to need some additional web expertise. He had a guy named “Robert” who could help me out. So I contracted through my friend to use his guy, and Robert helped set everything up on the new server via emails. The backups were running, we began to deliver courses “on-line” and everybody is happy.

Fast-forward about 9 months and we have a database issue that I cannot figure out (not everybody is happy), and so Robert and I end up working together over the phone. We get everything resolved and everyone is happy again. My web host buddy checks in with me, and I tell him that everything is fine. I told my friend and Robert that I wanted to take them both out to lunch, and my buddy tells me Robert lives on a farm in Wyoming. He is a fantastic web technologist with a flair for databases who my buddy met through a friend of a friend. He told me that he talks to Robert daily, and that Robert will tell him “Ok, I am off to ride the 4-wheeler.” Robert would work in the web for most of his day, and then he would enjoy his farm for the rest of the day. To really drive home how the world ahs changed, my buddy told me that one of my main servers was located in a small town in Wyoming.

The world economy is Global

We tell our students how they are competing globally for their jobs. Students hear scary bedtime stories of how people in other countries are going to take all our jobs. But there are careers where companies and small businesses want local talent. The careers of the web are just such an opportunity.

By 2020 over 50% of the US working population will be free-lancing either full or part-time. The percentage of millennials who are purposefully choosing to build careers as freelancers continues to grow. This really should not surprise any of us.

Let’s look at it from a different point of view. How are students learning and being trained in India, Pakistan, Malaysia, China, Brazil, Panama and other countries presented with the opportunity to work virtually for anyone? The answer is access to the internet.

Admittedly, in the US many of our regional areas are still a bit behind in getting high-speed access to the web. But, times are changing and more and more equity in quality high-speed access is happening.

For me, I see that the same connectivity that is allowing people from thousands of miles away to work for US businesses is the same access that would allow a motivated American to sell their talents regionally and globally.

What is missing?

We need to get our rural students exposed to more high-tech careers while in middle and high school. This means giving all rural students the chance to experience real-world project based learning education. That is the first step and it does not require the educator to be the subject matter expert. That is what course-ware is for.

Once a student realizes that a high-tech career path is an obtainable goal, we need to work to help get those students credentialed.

Announcing a “Live Rural, Learn Rural and Work (Earn)

We are discounting our courses to rural districts so that they can purchase our STEM and STEAM courses just as if they were a large district. This levels the playing field a bit more to provide more opportunities for more students.

I believe that we can show learners that they can enjoy living where they want and can have the career paths they want without moving to where they don’t want. Rural students are just as talented as urban/suburban learners. Do you want to see how one rural school is meeting the challenge? Check out this blog post Rural High School Students First in Nation to Earn STEM/STEAM Stackable Industry Certifications

Creativity, drive, talent, and entrepreneurship are pervasive throughout our country and crosses all boundaries.

Coding is a great example of a STEM career where you can live anywhere and be successful.

I may be very naive (this would not be the first time), but I don’t think so. I believe CTeL will be able to show students getting STEM training, earning STEM industry certifications and getting paid internships all while remaining in their rural districts.

I believe we can show a way that students and schools can become the catalyst for new STEM economic growth in rural America.
Call me crazy. I don’t care – we are doing this anyway.

Courses Available for these special pricing considerations include the following courses that lead to International Industry Recognized Certifications. Click the link below.

Web and Mobile Game Design

Web Animation for Marketing

Web Technologies

Web and Mobile App Development

Web Design for Business and Marketing

So, if you are interested in seeing if your school qualifies as part of our “Live Rural, Learn Rural and Work(Earn) Global Initiative” then contact us today. If you want to talk to one of our rural districts who are taking part in this initiative, then contact us today. If you want to call me crazy – well that’s ok too.

In future posts, we will talk more about how companies are now moving high-tech work to rural communities to tap into creative, hard-working, well-educated, and talent-rich potential.

Live anywhere and create the product narratives of businesses that build economies.

Have fun – Steve
Steve Waddell
Founder CTeLearning.com / I Support Learning, Inc.

The Growth of Robotics Careers in the Modern Economy

Tue, 22 Oct 2019 16:10:00 GMT

**This post is derived from recently updated content in our AI and Mobile Robotics Course**

Growth

Sophia, an intelligent humanoid robot, has been granted citizenship in Saudi Arabia. It’s the first country in the world to give a bot the same status reserved for humans.

The explosive growth of technology in our society and economy has shifted how we work, and it has created jobs that didn’t exist just a few years ago. Technologies such as the Internet of Things, 3D Printing, sensing and data analytics, and machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI) have created entirely new automation fields. We rely heavily on these fields for our everyday lives, whether we realize it or not – and b ecause of this shift, today’s workers need to have the skills required to meet these job roles. One of the areas that has seen the most worldwide growth is robotics, and the most influential companies, such as Amazon, are actively seeking talent that know how robotics systems work. In fact, a study of job listings that Amazon posted from 2014 to 2018 found a 30x increase in the word “robotics” appearing in job titles. Additionally, the number of job titles with the word “technologist” increase by 91.3%.

It’s clear that automated systems are here to stay, and we need our labor force to reflect this global shift. As youth explore possible future pathways, they must be made aware of the tremendous potential of engineering careers in the robotics field. In 2015, the National Robotics Education Foundation conducted a poll of 200 corporate executives regarding future job growth, and 81% of the respondents said that robotics is the top area for job growth in the U.S. This number has likely increased in the four years since then as robotics have come to play an even larger role in the U.S. economy.

In the first nine months of 2017, there were over 27,000 orders placed for robots – more than ever before. These orders totaled $1.473 billion, a growth of 14% in units and 10% in dollars compared to the first nine months of the previous year. Much of this growth has been in the area of collaborative robots (often referred to as cobots), which are robots specifically designed for direct one-on-one interaction with humans within a defined collaborative workspace. According to BIS Research, the collaborative-robot market is expected to grow to approximately $2 billion and 150,000 units by 2021 .

In 2019, we saw the first intelligent robot granted citizenship in the world.

Global Growth in Robotics

This growth is not limited to the U.S., however. The Middle East and Europe are also experiencing enormous growth in robotics. In the Middle East, there has been a recent surge in companies adopting robots for various uses. Industries including healthcare, hospitality, government, shipping, manufacturing, banking, energy and utilities, retail, education, and security have deployed robotics and AI into existing IT systems to improve operations and better serve customers. In fact, a study by PwC Middle East estimated that the AI market in the Middle East could reach $320bn by 2030 . One example o f the primary drivers of this growth will be humanoid robots, which are valuable because they can interact with the general public, welcome customers, make recommendations, get customer feedback, and analyze customer buying patterns.

Google and Rolls Royce Partner on Autonomous Shippiing https://www.morethanshipping.com/google-and-rolls-royce-partnering-up-to-create-autonomous-drone-vessels/

In Europe, robotics are already a key driver in large-scale manufacturing industries as well as service industries such as agriculture, healthcare, security and transportation. Robotics in Europe currently comprise 32% of the global market, and that number is expected to grow.

Careers in Robotics

Companies are in need of qualified and talented robot technicians who build, install, set up, and maintain robots for a variety of uses. Like any career in technology, there will be needs for positions to be filled ranging from entry-level to advanced levels. High school students with experience working on robotics courses can pursue further training at a vocational school or community college , which positions them well for a career in the field. Upon hiring, many companies offer further training on specific robot systems and how they relate to the company.

Tesla Self Driving Car

Companies also are in need of mechanical and electrical engineers who specialize in robotics, designing and developing the systems that companies rely on. This engineering expertise is crucial in developing the AI and software necessary to support the robots. These positions require schooling and training beyond high school, vocational school and community college, and those interested should expect to spend 4-5 years obtaining a bachelor’s (and possibly master’s) degree studying engineering fields such as mechanical and electrical.

Future Trends in Robotics

Each day, robotics and AI become more integrated into our daily lives. The news is filled with stories about autonomous cars under development that could drive us around in total safety and comfort. The trend is for continued growth for autonomous agricultural systems, smart electrical grids, unmanned flying ambulances, surgical cobots, and autonomous cargo ships – the list seems never-ending.

The global market for robotics will continue to rapidly expand, and there will be a serious need for people trained in these systems. Amazon, which is one of the fastest-growing global companies and largest users of robots in the world, plans to spend $700 million retraining one-third of its workforce by 2025. This is a reflection of dramatic shifts in the global economy due to technological advances such as AI and robotics.

The AI market is expected to grow from $3.49 billion in 2018 to $12.36 billion by 2023, at a CAGR of 28.78% between 2018 and 2023. With robots becoming the number one automated labor source, students should be encouraged to explore engineering and robotics fields for a career path that is sure to continue growing. As technology leaders, students may one day be required to make strategic choices about what AI or robot technology to deploy for a company or country, or even create the next generation of technology to solve the world’s problems and help get us through a crisis.

About this Blog Post

As you may know, I wrote our first AI and Mobile Robotics Course (link to our course) in 2004. We are constantly updating our courses, and this blog post and others capture just some of what we are constantly learning and experiencing.

Since then, we have updated and grown the course, which is currently in its fifth generation. What has been amazing about this journey is how rapidly the world of autonomous systems and AI has changed. I have been working with robots since 1989, and the amount of change in the past 5-10 years makes my head spin. At one time I programmed a robot to chase my then 4-year-old son around our offices. At that time I could not have guessed how quickly robotics and AI would grow. We are truly blessed to be living in these exciting times.

CTE Works – What more is there really to say?

Wed, 14 Aug 2019 18:11:00 GMT

Thank you ACTE for this terrific infographic that demonstrates the value of CTE.

SkillsUSA 2019 – The Nationals in Louisville – Web Design Competition Winners and 360 Images.

Mon, 01 Jul 2019 22:05:00 GMT

The 2019 SkillsUSA National Web Design Competition – It just doesn’t get any better than this.

The SkillsUSA Web Design competition had another fantastic year in Louisville. We enjoyed seeing the top High School and College level student Web Designers/Developers from all across the US competing.

While there our team enjoyed Louisville’s Mama’s BBQ , Silvio’s Italian , and way too much coffee and energy drinks to make sure we delivered on the promise of an incredible experience for our secondary and post-secondary competitors.

Jonathan Worrent and Mark Dubois lead the charge this year, and I can honestly say things ran incredibly smooth. The competition runs smoothly due to all of the hard work that Mark and Jonathan put into the prep every year. Part of that prep went into the new “Server in a Box” that was tested last year got some beefing up for 2019. This expensive piece of tech allows the web design competition to run much like an actual web development work environment.Kudos to the server team of James Anderton and Jeff McCollum who made it all look so easy.

Some 360 VR Images of the SkillsUSA 2019 Web Design Competition.

Use your mouse to change the point of view in the 360 image above

Interviews of future professionals conducted by today’s professionals.

The Kansas City contingent of David Jackson, Grant Schnettgoecke and myself focused on the On-Site team interviews. This was David’s 5th year, Grant’s 1st year ,and my 6th year judging. As always, we were again so very impressed with the caliber of competitors we see at SkillsUSA Nationals. I have no doubt that any of these competitors will get snatched up by web and tech companies as soon as they are ready to take their skills from the classroom to the workplace.

For many of the competitors this was their first experience being interviewed by professional web developers. The interviews add another dimension to the competition and another level of realism for the competitors to learn from. The WebProfessionals.org started the SkillsUSA competition in 2004 and have maintained a high level of authenticity to every aspect of the competition.

An On-Site interview with David Jackson and Grant Schnettgoecke from the Kansas City web design company Tekkii.com.

If you have not had the chance to see a SkillsUSA event, then you need to add it to your bucket list. If you are in a SkillsUSA and don’t have anyone competing in Web Design – then you are missing out.

If you are a state director for SkillsUSA, and you don’t know us – then let’s become friends. We can help you with your state level competitions.

Congratulations to all the competitors who earned the opportunity to come and compete at nationals. You all have the right to brag. Below are is a list of those who got recognized with national medals.

Medalists For NLSC – 2019 SkillsUSA Web Design National Leadership and Skills Conference

High School Level

Gold

Meridian Technical Charter High School

Alexandra Chavez , Caleb Hardy

Meridian ID

Silver

Center for Technology

Benjamin Buscher , Daniel LeBlanc

Essex Junction VT

Bronze

Seward High School

Eddie Lee , Austin Dobrusky

Seward NE

College Level

Gold

Ozarks Technical Community College

Carissa Hurt, Ryan Mackey

Springfield MO

Silver

Manatee Tech College

Shivangi Contractor , Claudia Estrada

Bradenton FL

Bronze

Moore Norman Technical Center

Avery Huckabee, William Fleckenstein

Norman OK

Congratulations again to all the competitors this year.

I had a great time and can’t wait to do it all again next year.

Have Fun – Steve

The post SkillsUSA 2019 – The Nationals in Louisville – Web Design Competition Winners and 360 Images. appeared first on CTeLearning .

California High School Students First in Nation to Earn New Web Animation Industry Recognized Certification

Thu, 23 May 2019 20:11:00 GMT

Congratulations – Adelanto High School

Adelanto, California May 16, 2019 – Four Adelanto High School Students are the first in the nation to earn the Web Animator International Industry Certification from the Web Professionals Association. As part of instructor Nikki Jarvis’ Design, Media and Visual Arts program , these students completed CTeLearning.com’s Web Animation Course and then passed the Web Professionals Web Animator Industry Certification Exam.

Top Row: Ebony Purcell , Monica LaBrosse, Nikki Jarvis
Bottom Row: Rodrigo Cortes-Rodrigues, Brandon Hernandez, Luis Rodriguez, and Zeus Toledo

Student’s Perspective

“I think the CTeLearning Web Animation course was simple, fun and easy to learn with. All the various projects helped build and practice my animation skills. One of the first projects I did was to create an animated commercial for a new handheld video game console. I came up with the commercial concept, wrote the script, created the characters, and animated the commercial just like a professional would do. The projects challenged my creativity, and it was on me to come up with the ideas to make a great animation. The course was very hands-on which is how I like to learn and it did a great job preparing me to pass the international industry exam. I am very proud to know that I have earned this certification while still in High School. Thank you to Ms. Jarvis and everybody here at AHS that helped to give me this opportunity. ”
Rodrigo Cortes – Animation Student and now Certified Web Animator

Graduating with Industry Recognized Certifications

Ms. Jarvis is right. Today, more and more career savvy students recognize today the importance of earning industry recognized certifications . Parents are asking for schools to offer these opportunities, and forward-thinking educators like Ms. Jarvis are helping make it happen.

Students Becoming Professionals

It is very common for students to take the animation course solely for high school credit. However, those who want to gain the coveted industry recognized credential must receive a minimum course grade, meet all project performance requirements, exhibit professionalism in all class activities and receive a recommendation to sit for the exam by their course instructor. Ms. Jarvis’ students took the proctored exam at Adelanto High.

Mark DuBois, Executive Director of the Web Professionals Association, and his educational team were key in creating and maintaining the international industry certifications, which are optional for students in the course to pursue.

“We are very happy to welcome the Adelanto High students on their first step to becoming a professional in the world of web and web animation . The exciting world of web is so much more than just coding, and we are very proud to have these future web animators joining our ranks . I am not surprised that AHS is the first in the nation for this new credential. Adelanto has a great program and this is a testament to how the administration has supported their CTE department to help build an outstanding program. We look forward to meeting next year’s animators. All of us here at WebProfessionals.org love seeing students take these first important steps towards high-demand STEAM/STEM careers in web ,” said Mark DuBois.

Real Industry Recognized Certification – Not Just Another Test

Students and their parents are tired of all the tests students have to take. This exam is not delivered by a testing company, but it is a credentialing exam given by an industry professional association . There are many companies selling “industry exams,” but sadly these exams are seen by industry professionals as simply a test. Ms. Jarvis decided to offer a real, genuine industry-recognized certification opportunity to her students. It is a credential that actually comes from industry, and isn’t just from another testing company.

Students who achieved the credential gained membership to the Web Professionals Association . With this membership, the students have the opportunity to engage in the same learning opportunities and professionals’ access .

Animation’s History at Adelanto

Ms. Jarvis has been teaching Animation at Adelanto High School since the school opened in 2014, and this is the first year the Web Professionals Association has offered the web animator credentials. As soon as she heard this new credential would be available, she secured the opportunity to pilot this for her students. “ I wasn’t surprised when Ms. Jarvis asked us about how to implement the Web Animator industry certification for her students,” commented Steve Waddell, Founder of CTeLearning.com. “ Adelanto has always been one of those first adopter type schools , and Nikki attracts bright and talented students to her program. We were happy to help make this happen for her students.”

The Path to Industry Recognized Certifications

All the students who completed the course, who may have decided not to take the exam received an industry-endorsed badge as well.

“We hope to see these students here at CSULA. The AHS students completed a true STEAM project-based learning experience, and they even have an international industry-recognized certification to show for it. Each of Ms. Jarvis’ students has a standing invite to come and check out our University,” commented Dr. Mauricio Castillo STEAM Researcher, California State University Los Angeles.

Making Great STEAM/STEM Career Education Happen for Students

Ms. Jarvis commented on the success of the course: “I love my students here at AHS, and I am so lucky to have an administration team that supports my work and helps me build a community of success in my classes. I just want to say thank you to Principal Ms. Ebony Purcell, Department Chair Ms. Monica LaBrosse, Coordinator Alt Ed, Enrichment and Special Projects Dr. McKenzie Tarango, and January Melendez for proctoring the exam . It is only with all their help and the hard work of my students that we continue to have all this success. I also want to thank the Mark DuBois Executive Director of the Web Professionals Association for adding this new international industry certification and working with us to make sure our high school students could have access. “And one last shout-out to our friends at CTeLearning.com , who are always there to support me whenever I need them.”

Other International Industry Certifications

The Web Animation Course Course is just one of CTeLearning’s industry-recognized certification course offerings. Other courses include Web Development and Design, Introduction to Web Technologies, Introduction to Web and Mobile Application Design, and Web Development and Design for Business and Marketing .

Rural High School Students First in Nation to Earn STEM/STEAM Stackable Industry Certifications

Fri, 10 May 2019 21:24:00 GMT

Haven, Kansas May 6, 2019 – Three Haven High School Students are the first in the nation to earn Associate Level Web Developer International Industry Certifications by stacking certifications from two separate courses at Haven High School. Additionally, nine more students earned Web and Mobile Application Industry Certification and three others earned Web Designer Industry Certifications.

Graduating with Industry Recognized Certifications

All of these students will be graduating high school with industry recognized certifications , which is quite an accomplishment.

Haven High School is in its fifth year teaching these courses and providing students the opportunity to earn credentials. This continued success is led by the Haven Business Education Department , and the business educator responsible for this program is Jessica Wilson .

Steve Waddell, founder of CTe Learning, was asked to visit Haven HS and present on behalf of the Web Professionals Association (WebProfessionals.org) a banner to recognize Haven High School as the most credentialed school in KS by the Web Professionals . Haven students have earned more industry recognized certifications than any other school in Kansas.

Currently, Haven High School runs both the Web and Mobile Application Development and Web Development for Business courses by CTeLearning.com. Each of these courses are stackable and enable students to earn an industry recognized certification.

Power of Rural STEM and Business Education

Steve Waddell, founder of CTe Learning, said, “Never underestimate education in the rural parts of our country or the dedicated educators, administrators and students who thrive there. These students here today are gaining world-class credentials from an international professionals association. This is not just another test delivered by a testing company. These students have received an industry recognized certification. This shows that high tech, high-demand career education can happen and should happen everywhere. We love being a part of rural STEAM/STEM and business education.”

“Wherever a student calls home should not restrict their opportunity to discover their passions and talents for these high-demand STEM careers . Only a few short years ago the wisdom of the day was that to work in these types of technology careers you had to leave the rural community and move to suburban or urban spaces. Times have changed, those days are gone, and Jessica’s students are proving that.”

The Path to Industry Recognized Certifications

Besides the Web Development for Business and the Web and Mobile Application Development courses , Ms. Wilson teaches other career and technical education courses, including Business Entrepreneurship and Coding and 3D Video Game Design. This recent success is demonstrating that Haven High is a regional STEM/STEAM/CTE powerhouse.

In these courses, students learned web and app coding, created sites and apps, and built a future-ready portfolio with real-world projects. As of today, they get to add industry credentials they can show college recruiters or future employers .

“As educators we thrive in reaching for what seems to be impossible, especially when it comes to doing what is best for our students and helping them be successful. It is always appreciated to have administration that help to support you in these kinds of endeavors. I am very lucky here at Haven and I just want to extend a thank you to Principal Travis Moore, Curriculum Director Marty Niensteadt and our Superintendent Clark Wedel for their ongoing support of this fantastic opportunity. It is with their help and the determination and hard work of my students that we are able to continue the tradition of excellence here at Haven High. As much as I appreciate the recognition, as their teacher none of this would be possible without the work my students put into their learning and their support of one another,” said Jessica Wilson.

The certification earned by the Haven HS students is delivered by WebProfessionals.org, the premier industry association for Web Developers, Web IT and Connected App developers. WebProfessionals.org’s Executive Director Mark DuBois and educational team were key in creating and maintaining the international industry certifications, which are optional for students in the course to pursue.

Many students take the course only for high school credit. Those who want to gain the coveted industry recognized credential must receive a minimum course grade, meet all project performance requirements, exhibit professionalism in all class activities and receive a recommendation to sit for the exam by their course instructor. Ms. Wilson’s students took the proctored exam at Haven High.

“We welcome the Haven students to the exciting world of web technologies. We are very proud of Ms. Wilson’s students. Haven has an incredibly strong program and we continue to see students succeeding at Haven and earning industry certifications year after year. All of us here at WebProfessionals.org love seeing students take these first important steps towards high-demand STEAM/STEM careers in web and app development,” said Mark DuBois, Executive Director of the Web Professionals Association.

Courtesy of Haven High School Yearbook

Congratulations for Earning Stackable International Industry Certifications

The three Haven High School Students who are the first in the nation to earn their Associate Level Web Developer International Industry Certification by stacking certifications from two separate CTeLearning.com courses at Haven HS are:

The nine newly minted Mobile Application Industry Certification recipients are:

Congratulations to Jessica Wilson’s 2019 class of industry recognized certification recipients. We can’t wait to see the class of 2020.

The post Rural High School Students First in Nation to Earn STEM/STEAM Stackable Industry Certifications appeared first on CTeLearning .

Ten Inspiring STEM Books for Students

Mon, 08 Apr 2019 20:32:00 GMT

STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) is a unique approach to teaching young students in their formative years. Using this particular method, it’s important to better understand what it takes to help students as they find their path and develop as intellectual beings.

To set them in the right direction, it’s time to look at the top ten inspirational STEM books for students.

Top Ten STEM Books for Students

1) Math-terpieces (Greg Tang)

This wonderful book is a beautiful blend of art and math. The premise is simple enough. You look at each art piece, consider the math problem, and answer it to the best of your ability. Greg Tang has taken his time putting together this tremendous book and it shows through the depth of each math problem and how much it makes the student think.

It opens their mind in a way that’s essential and beneficial.

2) Franny K. Stein, Mad Scientist Series (Jim Benton)

This comedic book is an example of educational topics having the opportunity to be fun. Too many people assume STEM books can’t be entertaining when that’s simply not the case!

Jim Benton puts together this fascinating tale with Franny as the lead protagonist. It takes the mad scientist through a journey of fun-filled experiments illustrating the beauty of trying hard and never losing your creativity as a student.

3) The Most Magnificent Thing (Ashley Spires)

This is a STEM book about two characters, a young girl and her dog.

When the girl starts to feel let down by what’s happening around her, it’s the dog that shows up by her side and continues to push her forward. It’s a great look into the world of education and what it means to keep trying as a student. Hardships come up in many different ways and a student should feel comfortable in continuing even when things don’t look easy at first.

While most students won’t have a dog that can do this, they can certainly make use of this inspirational STEM book!

4) How Machines Work: Zoo Break! (David Macaulay)

Sloth and Sengi want to get away from the zoo by any means necessary. This simple requirement takes them through a tremendous selection of experimental solutions. If they don’t get it right, the escape is impossible and that’s what captivates readers. It’s a STEM book that takes you along for the journey and even leaves you investing in their ability to figure things out.

5) Ada Twist, Scientist (Andrea Beaty)

Ada loves trying new things and experimenting as much as she can. It’s the way her brain works and it’s what motivates her. This STEM book is a glance into Ada’s way of living and what her mindset allows her to do from start to finish. As a high-quality book, this is truly inspirational for young students needing a kick in the right direction as they hope to figure things out too.

6) Math Curse (Jon Scieszka)

A young girl is dealing with a math curse where everything she does involves some type of math problem. Even something as simple as getting to school is now requiring a math problem to be solved.

It’s a hilarious journey with many twists and turns along the way.

As a STEM book, it highlights how important math can be even if it remains hidden in the background. Sometimes, the simplest of things involve math even if it’s not as obvious as one would assume.

7) Nick and Tesla Series (Steve Hockensmith)

Science and technology are used in this STEM book to figure out how to manage experimental problems. To do this, Steve Hockensmith makes use of three fascinating characters in the form of Nick, Tesla, and their Uncle Newt. Each character has a fun role to play and it leads readers down a unique path of intrigue.

In terms of inspiration, this is a brilliant STEM book with numerous qualities involving the world of innovation.

Ever thought about understanding what a 3D printing car would look like? What about understanding the concept of bionic suits? Super Cool Tech is just as the name suggests. It offers a unique perspective into the way technology is being formed and the role it has to play in modern society.

It also aims to motivate in the form of future innovations, which may be right around the corner with the help of young, creative minds.

These innovations include artificial intelligence and even teleportation!

9) Secret Coders (Gene Luen Yang)

Hopper and his buddies offer a fun-filled look into the odd occurrences at their school. As they pay attention, the school begins to deal with robotic birds and it’s up to them to put a stop to this.

The interactive graphic novel is a unique element that plays well in illustrating what such realities bring with them. As Hopper and his friends aim to fend off the evil janitor, students can truly recognize what it means to deal with robots and artificial intelligence.

10) Girls Think of Everything: Stories of Ingenious Inventions by Women (Catherine Thimmish)

From the diaper to underwater lamps, women have become central figures in the world of innovations. This STEM book is an inspiring book for young girls and boys as they look at some of the finest female inventors to have ever lived. Each biography is entertaining, motivating, and insightful.

Students get the opportunity to learn about these individuals and why their contributions changed society for the better. It’s an inspirational read and can get the creative juices flowing for young students.

These STEM books are well-regarded across the world and have become an integral part of the curriculum. It’s important to look at this list and incorporate these into the student’s educational setup. By doing this, they will learn more and truly maximize their potential from an educational perspective.

Please note, these are just some of the inspirational STEM books available to students and there are many more out there to consider!

The post Ten Inspiring STEM Books for Students appeared first on CTeLearning .

Summer Online Program Earns Students Industry Credentials – Web Professionals Association’s School of Web

Fri, 05 Apr 2019 12:23:00 GMT

Calling All Future Web Professionals, Web Technologists and Web Designers

2019 Summer Online Classes forming NOW

The Web Professionals Association’s School of Web ( www.schoolofweb.org ) is hosting these exciting courses this summer.

This year the School of Web is offering two dynamic career experience and credential building experiences.

Introduction to Web Technologies

This media-rich course provides an engaging project-based learning experience in the breadth of Web Technologies. Web technologies are more than just web pages, and this course gives the learner hands-on experience creating, coding, and engaging in an expansive view of the trends and technologies driving the web today. You will create web pages, web sites, web games, virtual reality app, 360 app and voice controlled web app. This is a media rich and highly interactive hands-on course. Interactive tutorials, videos and engaging sandbox coding activities help you to learn coding HTML and CSS3 that will allow you shape the future of the web.

Web technologists are concerned with how computers communicate over the web, how systems connect to and interact with the web and how the most common languages of the internet (HTML5, CSS3, and JavaScript) work to allow information to be shared worldwide.

Introduction to Web Design and Development

Companies of all sizes need web designers and developers to build and maintain their corporate brand story. This course will teach you the basics of how to use HTML5 and CSS3 to build websites from the ground up. Concept design, layout, content creation and messaging are the skills that companies hire for. You will focus on the skills that companies hire for including, web coding, targeted messaging and branding. By design, this is a media rich and highly interactive hands-on course. Over one hundred fifty tutorial videos and interactive sandbox coding activities help you to learn coding HTML and CSS3 that will allow you shape the future of the web.

No Prior Experience is required…

Web Professionals is offering online with no prior experience is required. These classes are open to anyone ages 13-18 who aspires to be a web professional or develop a deeper understanding of what it takes to create web sites, apps and games. These courses can be completed in 2-3 weeks depending on the pace you set for yourself. You will have between June 1 and August 15 to complete the course and take the the optional industry certificate exam. Enrollment begins May 1 and ends July 21.

Courses Provides:

Hardware needed? – Any PC, Mac or Chromebook

Additional software needed? – Free suite of web-based tools provided

All this for $495. Sure, many take time off in the summer and can show photos of their experiences. Why not get experiences that may lead to a high paying career in the fields of web design, web technologies and coding. You can still take some time to get sunburned, swat at mosquitoes and mow the yard. But what if you accomplished a bit more this summer? When you complete this course and earn your certificate, build a portfolio, post your industry endorsed badges on social media everybody will know what you did over the summer.

If you think this approach is for you, click the this link.

Click Here to Learn More – School of Web Summer Online Classes

The post Summer Online Program Earns Students Industry Credentials – Web Professionals Association’s School of Web appeared first on CTeLearning .

Growth of Women in STEM Fields

Mon, 18 Mar 2019 17:17:00 GMT

One of the under the radar trends in technology that has become more noticeable in recent years is women joining STEM and STEAM fields that traditionally have been dominated by men. Although a 2016 National Science Foundation report found that women make up half of the college-educated workforce in the U.S. but only 29 percent of the STEM workforce, that trend is changing (link) . The chart below demonstrates just how impressive this growth has been as attitudes towards women in STEM and STEAM fields continue to change .

Source: https://www.statista.com/chart/16970/women-stem/

As you can see, in the past eight years women have been turning to STEM fields in greater numbers than ever before, as these professions offer tremendous career potential.

Additionally, this chart doesn’t even include women who are pursuing fields like web development and design on their own without holding a degree in the field.

STEM fields are powerful, because the skills required often can be attained outside of the traditional four-year college or university degree path. In fact, many skills can be attained using online resources or entrepreneur curriculum in school.

And it’s important to keep in mind that the chart only represents a portion of women who have entered the field in recent years. This growth is expected to endure in the coming years, especially as STEM fields continue to expand as key pillars of both the U.S. and global economies.

Young Women in STEM

At CTeLearning, we have seen an increase in the number of women who join and contribute richly to our team. About half of our team members are women, and they add a diversity of experience and skills that we otherwise would not have.

At the postsecondary level we have seen a sharp rise in the number of women who are taking part in our web development , web design , web technologies and mobile app development certification programs delivered through our adult education and university partners.

We are seeing an increase in young women enrolling in our courses at the secondary level, but not as rapidly as we have seen in post-secondary levels over the past three years, where we are seeing enrollments of roughly 50% women and 50% men.

These women go on to work for themselves or contribute to companies in STEM fields. And we make it a point to include material in all of our courses that features women STEM and STEAM experts, so that students can understand these fields are not only open to men to pursue.

Our numbers, certainly in the adult end of our business, show women who are taking charge of their careers and learning to move into STEM.

“When you look at people who don’t go to school (university and degree) and make their way in the world, those are exceptional human beings. And we should do everything we can to find those people,” said Google’s former SVP of People Operations Laszlo Bock.

Advantages for Women in STEM Careers

Men and women both enjoy flexibility and freedom in their STEM and STEAM careers, as many fields offer the ability to work remotely or work flexible schedules. For many entering into STEM careers, especially those that work in and on the web, the ability to be their own boss and control their own destiny is attractive.

One of the reasons STEM fields have become so attractive to women is that they offer freelance and self-employment opportunities not available in many other fields. For example, someone who learns web design and development , whether on her own or through an industry certification or degree program, will be equipped to market herself and her portfolio to companies looking for skilled designers and developers.

In effect, freelancers are small businesses, which is significant considering small businesses account for 43% of all high tech employment and are the source of most job growth in the U.S. This can be a powerful incentive to pursue STEM fields, as freelancing and consulting can offer a great work-life balance that is difficult to find in other fields.

This growth isn’t slowing down anytime soon, as demands for talented STEM professionals will continue to increase . With a multitude of options for obtaining valuable STEM skills, the growth of women in STEM fields is likely to outpace the growth of men in the coming years.

Co-Authors: Dr. Mauricio Castillo / Steve Waddell

CTE, STEM and Business Educators have their membership fees paid by CTeLearning.com

Fri, 15 Mar 2019 21:51:00 GMT

Why does CTeLearning.com pay for educators to become part of the Web Professionals Association?

“I believe it is important that educators preparing students to go into high demand and high paying web industry jobs have access to all the benefits of being part of the Web Professionals Association,” says Steve Waddell, Founder of CTeLearning.com. “ Our teachers go through our personalized training, and they begin to facilitate classes that lead their students to industry credentials and jobs that can pay over six figures. That’s great, but in reality, our teachers become so much more. Through their work, they become an important part of the web’s community of professionals . We want to recognize these teachers for their professional contribution to growing our economy. Educators are key to the future .”

What are the short- and long-term benefits to our web educators?

We have teachers who, through teaching our courses and increasing their skills , end up with part-time web gigs or re-career into full-time careers in web development . This membership gives educators a glimpse into jobs available in the web industry as well as new experience and knowledge they can bring back to their classrooms .

Who is the Web Professionals Association?

With the free Web Professionals Association membership, educators have full access to all benefits — including additional and free industry training modules through the Web Professionals Association’s School of Web. The School of Web has been providing online and self-directed skills enhancement for web and app developers for over 15 years.

What about my students?

As if we would leave the students out! Students are definitely not left out. All students who complete a CTeLearning.com Web Professionals Association endorsed class and receive the industry certification also get a membership to the association courtesy of the WebProfessionals.org .

CTeLearning.com will begin purchasing Web Professionals Association Memberships for our teachers fall 2019. Do you want to make sure your name is on the list? Then give us a call 877-828-1216.