Blog

Teacher Interview – Transitioning to Remote Teaching in the Midst of COVID-19

Joshua Frisch • June 30, 2020

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.

 

Share To

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 and we will reach out to you.


We look forward to helping you and your students.

students with STEM certifications

Most Recent Posts

Web Design Course and Certification Approved in Texas Through 2030

By Steve Waddell • August 7, 2025
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

By Steve Waddell • July 20, 2025
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

By Steve Waddell • May 1, 2025
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.