Blog

PRESS RELEASE – CALIFORNIA STUDENTS START THEIR VIDEO GAME CAREERS IN HIGH SCHOOL

Steve Waddell • Mar 30, 2010

PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
Contact: Steve Waddell

I Support Learning, Inc.
877-828-1216 phone
866-596-5109 fax
swaddell@isupportlearning.com

CALIFORNIA STUDENTS START THEIR VIDEO GAME CAREERS IN HIGH SCHOOL USING INNOVATIVE CAREER-THEMED COURSE

Olathe, KS – March 30th, 2010 – I Support Learning, Inc.│edmagineer (ISL) announced another success story with their career simulation curricula ( career themed course), coming from Marilyn Cunnen, a Business Education teacher at Marina High School in Huntington Beach, California.

When she hosts 8th Grade night at Marina High School, Marilyn Cunnen makes sure that she has her Video Game Design posters up for all the kids and parents to see. “All of our classes are full,” she says, “Any student that signs up to take Video Game Design ends up wanting to take every class we offer.”

Marilyn teaches Video Game Design, a career themed curriculum designed and created by I Support Learning, as part of an entire Video Game Career Pathway at her California area high school. The students more from Video Game Design, and continue on with two other courses from I Support Learning: Cartoon Animation and Web Game Design.

These additional courses are part of the school’s approach to innovative career and technical education, and serve not only to highlight designing games, but to put focus on the design process, marketing, ethics in the workplace, and even building an entire project to meet the needs of a specific customer.

“I use the posters in the hallways too,” Cunnen explains. “It really drives a lot of interest in the program, which is great, since the elective courses are extremely competitive.” Even the video game club, meeting after school a few days a week, is full to the brim.

Analyzing games and going on field trips to gaming meccas, such as Blizzard’s headquarters, the students get to see what the industry looks like from an insider’s point of view, and they even get a few freebies along the way.

Plus, they get to have one-on-one conversations with real developers, feeling confident from their experience with their “virtual internships” in their class.

“My kids love the online version of the curriculum (from I Support Learning)” she attests, “They don’t have to print out anything or turn in any papers, it’s all right there.” Marilyn recently switched to the online version from her older, desktop version.

She had first heard about ISL from a brochure she received in the mail. “It said I could teach video game designing without having to know anything about it, so that really grabbed my attention,” Cunnen says, “Now the programs so popular that we’ve added more classes, and there’s no danger of running out of students.”

Besides having the interest of her students, and the growing video game industry to make her class that much more important to them, Cunnen has come across some unexpected benefits as well.

When the local community college heard about her program, and had recently introduced a Video Game Design degree of their own, they extended an entrance exam waiver for any student of Cunnen’s that had taken her Video Game Design course and decided to pursue a degree at their college.

Perhaps more significantly, are the types of students that take her course. Most of her students are your typical high school students, but she also has a surprising demographic thriving in her courses. In her high school, the autistic and special education students have a campus all to themselves where they can work and study in an environment suited to them and for them.

However, when they select their elective courses, a very large percent of them choose Marilyn’s courses. “They do very well in the (video game design) course. They have fun and connect with the other students over their similar interests.

They can’t get enough of it.” It’s there, just as with the rest of her students, they find positive and engaging interaction, and they thrive because of it.

“I couldn’t be happier with the program,” Cunnen adds, “I can’t wait to see what (ISL) has next.”

I Support Learning, Inc.│edmagineer is an educational curriculum designer specializing in career-themed career simulations that fulfill national Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) standards, with products in over 700 schools, colleges and vocational schools across the United States.
# # #

Steve Waddell – Creative Development
I Support Learning, Inc.© │ edmagineer©
(877) 828.1216

Get in touch with us today!


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


We look forward to helping you and your students.

students with STEM certifications

Most Recent Posts

By Steve Waddell 25 Apr, 2024
As school choice gains traction across the United States, an increasing number of parents are exploring educational options that extend beyond the traditional public school system. In addition to public schools, private, parochial, charter and Christian schools are increasingly recognizing the shift in student interests away from four-year universities towards more career-oriented education pathways that mitigate the risk of debt. This trend is driving parents towards schools that offer robust career and technical education (CTE) programs alongside the traditional core curriculum and character education found in charter, private, religious, and schools supported through school voucher programs. Career and technical education, when done right, is highly multidisciplinary. Technical skills are merged with history, math, and science and wrapped with the soft skills to better prepare learners for a more complex job market and future. Every career requires technical skills to get hired, but soft skills is what keeps professionals employed and allows them to move up the career ladder. Studies show that a lack of hands-on career exploration in high school is a critical gap, leaving many students unsure about their future paths and more likely to require significant adjustments to their educational trajectories post high school. How We Help At CTeLearning, we specialize in offering a diverse array of CTE courses designed to address these challenges. Our courses are ideal for schools of choice who are looking for easy to facilitate curricula taught by their educators so they can maintain their educational standards. CTE differs from traditional education by focusing on practical, hands-on experiences tailored to specific career pathways. This approach helps bridge the gap between education and employment, equipping learners with the skills and insights needed to thrive in the workforce. Our courses enable schools—including private, parochial, charter and Christian institutions—to provide engaging CTE curricula that expose students to potential career pathways, starting as early as middle school. Our courses include the technical skills and soft skills that industry expects. Each of our curricula include two soft skills modules: Ethics in the Workplace and Critical Thinking in the Workplace. These two interactive modules help fill gaps that many students seem to have in core career skills. To help students get career and college ready, these modules enable your learners to earn industry micro-credentials they can add to their resumes or a college entrance application. Our experience working with students and teachers shows that the project-based learning (PBL) approach is important. The best way to amplify PBL is to emphasize experiential learning and hands-on practical engagement. We enhance PBL by weaving in industry professionals who introduce important concepts and give context to the work and experiences the curriculum offers. By offering students direct engagement with industry professionals and real workplace environments, CTE programs enhance learning retention and deepen students' understanding of how theoretical concepts apply in practical settings. Our curricula are designed to allow students to learn at their own pace while building real-world projects and gain firsthand experience. Students beginning to identify their interests and career goals early on is crucial for making informed decisions in their educational journeys. Families of students in CTE programs report high levels of satisfaction, noting the effective guidance in career readiness that CTE provides, in stark contrast to traditional education pathways. Furthermore, CTE programs contribute to higher graduation rates, with students more likely to graduate on time compared to their peers in traditional settings. These programs also close the skills gap in the U.S. economy by aligning curriculum with workforce needs, ensuring that graduates are prepared for high-demand occupations in fields like web design, game design, coding, sustainability, animation, marketing and robotics. Our approach allows educators to better prepare and future-proof their students. Industry studies tell us that soft skills, ethics, critical thinking, communication, teamwork, time management and personal leadership are what industry needs, yet these skills seem to be harder and harder to find in graduating students. Taking the time to develop critical thinking within a career context prepares students not just for specific jobs but any career pathway. The world as we know it has a high rate of change and seems to be accelerating. This makes it seemingly impossible for educators to keep up. The turbulence of change makes curricular choices for educators more and more stressful. Our teachers know they can trust us to make sure that they remain on the cutting edge of what industry is looking for, continually updating curricula to reflect the latest industry trends and practices. Teachers and parents around the country are looking for ways to stand out and show more options for learners who may have varied educational trajectories. Foundationally, all parents want their children to learn in an environment that builds their character, confidence, knowledge and readiness for their futures. They want their kids to be adaptable, resilient and independent. Overall, the continual growth of school choice is closely linked to the growing appreciation for CTE as a vital educational pathway. This approach not only meets the immediate training needs of students but also prepares them for long-term career success, making it an attractive option for parents and students alike who are seeking practical, debt-free education alternatives. It is tough being a parent these days. It is tough being an educator these days. Let us make things easier for your school, your teachers and in turn better for your students. Contact us today to find out how we can help by clicking here or calling us at 913-764-4272. Interested in learning more? Check out our recent blog post on the importance of career and technical education.
By Joshua Frisch 18 Mar, 2024
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has emerged as one of the most transformative technologies of the 21st century, revolutionizing industries, improving efficiency, and shaping the future of work. Against this backdrop, the decision to pursue a career in AI has become increasingly appealing for aspiring professionals. Our Artificial Intelligence and Mobile Robotics course teaches a new level of understanding of systems, coding, biology, and behavior to middle school and high school students interested in learning the soft skills and hard skills that will be in demand for decades to come. In this article, we'll explore the compelling reasons why AI is not just a good career choice but a smart one. Unprecedented Growth Opportunities The AI industry is experiencing unprecedented growth, driven by advancements in machine learning, deep learning, and other AI subfields. According to market research, the global AI market is expected to reach a value of $190 billion by 2025, with AI permeating almost every sector, from healthcare and finance to retail and transportation. This rapid expansion translates into abundant job opportunities for AI professionals, ranging from data scientists and machine learning engineers to AI researchers and algorithm developers. With AI becoming increasingly integral to business operations and innovation, the demand for skilled AI talent is expected to continue surging in the years to come. Lucrative Salary Prospects AI professionals command some of the highest salaries in the tech industry, reflecting the scarcity of talent and the critical role of AI in driving business success. According to industry reports, AI specialists, including machine learning engineers and data scientists, can earn six-figure salaries, with compensation packages often including bonuses, stock options, and other incentives. This financial reward not only reflects the high demand for AI expertise but also underscores the value that companies place on individuals who can leverage AI to drive innovation, optimize processes, and deliver tangible business outcomes. For aspiring professionals seeking a lucrative and rewarding career path, AI offers unparalleled salary prospects and financial stability. Diverse Career Opportunities One of the most attractive features of pursuing a career in AI is the diverse range of career opportunities it offers. AI encompasses various subfields, including natural language processing, computer vision, robotics, and reinforcement learning, each presenting unique challenges and opportunities for innovation. Whether you're passionate about developing cutting-edge algorithms, building intelligent systems, or applying AI to solve real-world problems, there's a niche within AI where you can thrive. Moreover, AI professionals have the flexibility to work in diverse industries, from tech giants and startups to healthcare organizations and research institutions, allowing them to pursue paths that align with their interests, skills, and aspirations. Impactful Work with Global Reach AI has the potential to address some of the world's most pressing challenges, from healthcare and education to climate change and poverty alleviation. By harnessing the power of AI, professionals can develop innovative solutions that improve lives, enhance productivity, and drive positive societal change. Whether it's developing AI-driven medical diagnostics, optimizing supply chains, or combating climate change through data-driven approaches, AI enables professionals to make a meaningful impact on a global scale. The opportunity to work on projects with real-world significance and contribute to the greater good can be immensely rewarding for individuals who are passionate about leveraging technology for positive change. Continuous Learning and Innovation AI is a rapidly evolving field, characterized by constant innovation, experimentation, and discovery. As an AI professional, you'll have the opportunity to engage in lifelong learning, staying abreast of the latest developments, and honing your skills. Whether it's mastering new algorithms, exploring emerging technologies, or collaborating with experts from diverse disciplines, the journey of learning in AI is both challenging and fulfilling. Moreover, AI offers ample opportunities for creativity and innovation, allowing professionals to push the boundaries of what's possible and develop groundbreaking solutions to complex problems. By embracing a culture of continuous learning and innovation, AI professionals can stay ahead of the curve and remain at the forefront of this dynamic and rapidly evolving field. Start Your Career Today As AI continues to reshape industries and transform the way we live and work, the demand for skilled AI professionals is only expected to grow. For aspiring professionals seeking a rewarding and future-proof career path, AI presents a compelling opportunity to be at the forefront of technological innovation and shape the future of intelligent systems. By leveraging their skills, expertise, and passion for AI, professionals can embark on a journey of discovery, creativity, and impact, making AI not just a good career choice but a smart one. To set up a free demo of our AI and Mobile Robotics course or any of our other courses, call us at 913-764-4272 or schedule directly using Calendly .
school using video game design curriculum
By Joshua Frisch 08 Mar, 2024
Learn about how one teacher is using engaging video game design curriculum to get her students excited about STEM career pathways.
Share by: