Simulations

How Hands-On Simulations can Improve Student Success for Certification and the Workplace

by with No Comment Career & Tech Ed

How Hands-On Simulations can Improve Student Success for Certification and the Workplace

Abigail Hess

Associate Product Marketing Manager • Career & Technical Education • National Geographic Learning | Cengage

Click here to see available CTE Hands-on online simulations across the career clusters.

Simulation and virtual reality as a means for professional training is becoming more common each year, especially in businesses that want employees to practice real-world professional communication, team training, and test how they handle stressful situations. For example, NPR had a story this past October that described the Virtual Human Interaction Lab software that Walmart has since purchased to train over a million employees. 

But simulation technology isn’t only available for multi-billion dollar companies and doesn’t require hundreds of VR goggles. In secondary Career and Technical Education classrooms, simulations can offer students the chance to experience real-world scenarios and procedures in a safe environment before they get in the lab or shop with limited equipment.

Safety Training

The American Red Cross has introduced simulation training for students to practice safety standards during real-world scenarios. Other educational simulations can be used for technical trades training that is typically learned during shop time. 

While many trades require students to get plenty of time completing skills in-person to build muscle memory and feel comfortable on the job, simulations can help prepare students for other aspects of job. For instance, welding students need to be in the shop to practice the weld, but simulations can offer practice in the pre-work like reading blueprints and setting up safe workspaces, as well as post-weld activities like analyzing welds for mistakes.

Welding
Welding Simulations Part II (Set up a safe workspace)

Troubleshooting Practice

While some CTE programs may be lucky to have multiple computers in PC Repair programs or furnaces, air conditioners, or automobiles to work on in the lab or shop, most don’t have the chance to house all examples of equipment for students to practice all of troubleshooting scenarios they need for certification or to do the job. Simulations are able to give students practice with many more possible faults and scenarios in real-time.

Delmar
Delmar Online Training 3.0 (DOTS) HVAC Simulation

Professional Software Training

Many career pathways and potential jobs require that students are either certified in, or can use professional software to solve problems. Traditionally, step-by-step projects and screenshots can give students some practice using software, but with cloud versions of software many teachers find it difficult to keep up with new software updates and changes in the interface.

These kinds of assignments often take an extremely long time to grade or are difficult for teachers to see where students may have made mistakes throughout the assignment. Simulated experiences in professional software allow for student attempts at even multi-part assignments. Thus, making it easier for the teachers to be recorded or even offer a report that breaks down all the steps the student took within the assignment, making it easy for teachers to find where students went wrong and help them correct the skill.

Century21 Accounting
Century21 Accounting Simulation — Authentic Trends
Microsoft Office 2019
Microsoft Office 2019 Word Training Simulation

Simulations may be the most cost-effective way to provide students access the wide variety of experiences they need to be prepared for real-world situations. As simulation training and testing becomes even more prevalent in the professional space, using simulation training appropriately can also be a career skill we can focus on in high school. 

Click here to see available CTE Hands-on online simulations across the career clusters.

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building_blocks

3 Ways to Build Student Confidence to CTE Concentrator Status

by with No Comment Career & Tech Ed

3 Ways to Build Student Confidence to CTE Concentrator Status

Abigail Hess

Associate Product Marketing Manager • Career & Technical Education • National Geographic Learning | Cengage

There is plenty of data that proves students in CTE (Career and Technical Education) programs who make “Concentrator” status are more likely to graduate high school and enroll in secondary education or accept a job after graduation. “Concentrator Status” used to vary depending on your state, but is now defined by Perkins V as students who complete at least two CTE courses in a single career pathway. While 94% of all high school students are served by CTE, only 20% of high school students become CTE concentrators. And while it’s expected that two-thirds of all new jobs will require some kind of credential in addition to a high school degree, most certifications and credentials students can earn in high school require skills that will be learned in 2 or more courses within a career pathway.

So how can we encourage MORE students to take the second, third, and even fourth course in a high school career pathway so that they are prepared for an industry credential?

Market how CTE courses offer the same creativity, practicality, and social benefits of other electives offered at your school.

Ultimately, most CTE courses are electives. So students have to choose to take not one, but multiple courses in a career pathway to become a concentrator. And CTE courses often compete with other electives that may be creative, like Art, Theatre, and Music. They compete against courses that earn college credit or steer students toward secondary education like AP courses, as well as courses and organizations that engage with the community.

CTE Electives

But we know that a Career Pathways in Arts, Audio/Video Technology, and Communications, Marketing, Sales, and Service, or Business, Management, and Administration Career Clusters offer many opportunities for Art and Music students to thrive. Likewise, dual-credit courses with local institutions often found in Business, Management, and Administration pathways or work-based learning programs for Technical Trades and Health Science pathways offer experience and sometimes credit for students who know they are college-bound. And CTSO organizations in all clusters offer the same social benefits and chances for community involvement that students seek in other “fun” electives and clubs. Think about advertising CTE pathways offered at your district in earlier courses or with advisors for student organizations in middle school and even elementary that relate to your career pathway.

Require that students begin a portfolio from their very first CTE experience.

Portfolios of student work are often Capstone requirements once a student gets to the end of their career pathway, but incorporating a portfolio from the very first CTE experience catalogs tangible examples of career-related skills students are learning in every CTE course.

Ask your students to create an empty folder in their portfolio, one for each core skill they will learn throughout the Career Pathway. As they see their folders fill up, they will be encouraged that they can continue until their portfolio is complete. Sharing student examples in higher-level courses in the career pathway—videos or images of work—can make students excited about what they can achieve in related classes they can take in the future.

At National Geographic Learning, a part of Cengage, all MindTap courses provide access to Pathbrite, the online portfolio tool that students can keep throughout their high school experience and beyond. Students organize video, images, project files, and earned credentials by industry skill, and can share these visual portfolios with their peers, teachers, and even future employers.

Offer stackable certifications that can be obtained from the first CTE course.

Most industry-backed certifications cannot be taken until the very end of their career pathway or even post-high school. When they are offered in high school, teachers don’t usually get much information on how their students did and where they made mistakes. Like AP courses, many students may work all year or several years for one shot at passing certification, with content they may have learned a year or two before.

Offering stackable certifications with a pre and post-test for every single course in your career pathway provides test-taking experience throughout the program, and gives students confidence that with each course they are learning skills that they will need to get a job. National Geographic Learning, a part of Cengage partners with Precision Exams to offer course-level industry-backed certifications across the 16 Career Clusters. With over 180 certifications, teachers can offer pre and post exams for every course and receive robust, standards-level reporting that makes it easy to see where the class and individual students need more practice. All knowledge standards are written in conjunction with national and local industry and are updated every 2-3 years to ensure direct contact with the skills that students need for today’s careers.

Students also receive a printable certificate when they pass their post exams, that are backed by partner organizations and include the passed knowledge standards on the back, making it easy to add the certification and proven skills in a portfolio and resume. 

Students will take more CTE courses in their high school career if they can: 

  1. See how they already relate to their strengths, interests and experiences they’ve had in elementary and middle school
  2. Get excited about future courses in a career pathway by building a portfolio that shows how far they have to go.
  3. Feel confident about capstone-level and post-secondary certifications by earning industry-backed credentials at the course level

We know that CTE courses prepare students for career, the key is to give students the resources to prove their knowledge and experience to future employers and institutions, no matter where their next step is in their Career Journey.

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MindTap

How MindTap Can Enhance Your Classroom

by with No Comment Digital ExperienceInterdisciplinary

How MindTap Can Enhance Your Classroom

Jeremy Walts

Senior Director of Product Marketing • Math, Science and Digital Learning • National Geographic Learning | Cengage

Want to learn a bit more about MindTap? Watch this short video introducing MindTap and how it can enhance your classroom.

And in case you’d just prefer to read about it, here is the script for you:

“Learning is more than the number of A’s on your report card. It’s about creating the drive to stay engaged, focused, and on task. National Geographic Learning/Cengage presents a brand new personalized learning experience for teachers and students. MindTap empowers students and supports teachers!

MindTap is a learning space where teachers and students access rich content and assignments in a simple, integrated user experience. Every time they sign in, students focus where you want them to focus, pushing them to strive for better results. No distractions.

Content includes digital textbooks, multimedia activities, assignments, and a variety of formal and informal assessments. Building on the student experience, teachers also have access to interactive teacher materials to effectively and efficiently support every student’s learning.

A powerful digital textbook developed specifically for mobile students provides a highly visual experience that is optimized for different devices and includes audio, note-taking, and highlighting functionality to support mastery of content.

Encourage positive outcomes by managing students in real-time. Spend less time grading and more time responding immediately to students who are struggling. Adjustable readability levels give students the ability to engage with learning materials in a way they never have before.

All MindTap materials – the interactive digital textbook, activities, resources, and assessment — is searchable by state standards or skills, giving teachers the flexibility and ease of finding the content that addresses their specific curriculum goals.

Accessing MindTap is simple. NGL Sync enables LMS integration and rostering, providing seamless access to students and teachers. Set worries aside—service and support begins at the start of the year and continues throughout your MindTap implementation.

MindTap builds confidence for both students and teachers. Student learning is elevated with rich, differentiated content that helps students achieve grade-level mastery. Improve outcomes by engaging students in a powerful digital experience that makes learning fun.”

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With you in control, MindTap builds student confidence through a rich online learning experience.
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contemporary-gradient-handrails-perspective-434645

Why Upgrade to Microsoft Office 2019?

by with No Comment Career & Tech Ed

Why Upgrade to Microsoft Office 2019?

Abigail Hess

Associate Product Marketing Manager • Career & Technical Education • National Geographic Learning | Cengage

We know that Microsoft has committed to continue to new versions of Microsoft Software every 3-years in addition to Office 365 updates. And while updating means working with your administration and IT to upgrade the new software AND  your learn new features, there are several reasons why Office 2019 is worth it and offers new tools that will better prepare students for success in competition, college, and their future careers.

Stay up to date with Microsoft Office Specialist Certification (MOS)

Microsoft recently released their Office 2019 Associate level exams for Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Access, and just released Word Expert in August of 2019. Excel Expert releases in September 2019, and Access in November, 2019 (Certiport). MOS certification has becoming increasingly popular as an industry credential for any CTE student, even beyond the Business, Finance, and Marketing career clusters. With Office 365, most businesses with Microsoft Office subscriptions will update to Office 2019 within the year and employers will be looking for certifications that match the software they use.

Appropriate Icon Use

Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook now allow users to insert Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG). So what’s cool about them?

With over 500 SVG icons that users can change the color, re-size, and rotate these characters add visual interest and provides teachers with the change to have students put their emoji obsession to good use. Teach the difference between personal and business communication and appropriate icon use in Outlook messages and invites, in Word Business Documents, and PowerPoint presentations. When does a visual icon enhance communication and add clarity or distract? When is it appropriate or not?

More Powerful Presentations

PowerPoint for Office 2019 allows users to quickly add clean motion animations and move seamlessly around your presentation, with Morph transition and Zoom.

Morph transition saves time and confusion from traditional animation methods by allowing users to duplicate a slide, make any changes and then add a transition that actively allows presentation views to see the change, whether options move, grow, or shrink.

Zoom allows the presenter flexibility by reconstructing the organization of the traditionally, linear PowerPoint presentation. Students can now practice giving presentations that are conversational and allow presenters to move to new ideas in their presentation in a realistic manner, without having to click through 20+ slides to get to the topic at hand.

Enhanced Excel

Excel for Office 2019 has many updates, but a few that students will be excited about may be the ability to create a new map chart to show values or categories in particular sections of a country or the world—an awesome tool for lessons in economics and global business.

PivotTable improvements speed up data analysis without forcing users to wait for the table to load until they have selected all the changes they want, and even can save defaults to get the same outcome much quicker next time! Likewise, Automatic Relationship Detection helps find relationships across multiple tables and notifies students if they should be linked together to find the information they need.

For additional information check out these posts by one of our authors of the Shelly Cashman Series for Microsoft Office, Corinne Hoisington!

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Koeninger_Morehouse

Using Academic Testing to Create a Culture that Motivates Students

by with No Comment Webinar - Career & Tech Ed

Using Academic Testing to Create a Culture that Motivates Students

Dr. Jim Koeninger discusses the HOSA Academic Testing Center. He is joined by Bergen Morehouse, Director of the HOSA Competitive Events serving nearly 10,000 competitors at the annual conference and advising the 54 state, territory and country associations.

Jim Koeninger, Ph.D

Executive Director
HOSA

Bergen Morehouse

Director
HOSA Competitive Events

Dr. Jim Koeninger discusses the HOSA Academic Testing Center. He is joined by Bergen Morehouse, Director of the HOSA Competitive Events serving nearly 10,000 competitors at the annual conference and advising the 54 state, territory and country associations.

National Geographic Learning and HOSA-Future Health Professionals partnered in 2019 to provide delegates attending the HOSA 2019 International Leadership Conference (ILC) the opportunity to test their basic knowledge to become a future health professional. The top 10 scorers were recognized at an ILC Awards Session. This recognition opportunity motivates future health professionals to determine their college readiness in critical academic subjects. Dr. Koeninger believes that two to three times as many HOSA members will participate in the Academic Testing Center in 2020.

Sign up for this replay to:

  • Learn about the Academic Testing Center opportunity at HOSA and encourage your students to participate
  • Discover new Health Sciences courses to add to your curriculum to help prepare your students for college and career readiness
  • Motivate your students to prepare for and look forward to the Academic Testing during the 2020 International Leadership Conference
Sophie Murphy

The Power of Language: Developing High Impact Teaching Strategies with Effective Classroom Discourse

by with No Comment Webinar - Math

The Power of Language: Developing High Impact Teaching Strategies with Effective Classroom Discourse

Professor John Hattie’s Visible Learning research has now ranked over 250 influences that are related to learning outcomes from highly impactful, positive effects to negative effects. His meta-analyses have concluded that strategies emphasizing feedback, including classroom discussion, have a strong, positive effect on student learning and achievement outcomes. As a self-proclaimed teacher that “talks too much,” Sophie Murphy, under the direct guidance of Hattie as her lead supervisor, began investigating effective talk and questioning through the eyes of students.

 

Sophie Murphy

Sophie Murphy

K-12 Teacher, Researcher and Global Education Leader

Professor John Hattie’s Visible Learning research has now ranked over 250 influences that are related to learning outcomes from highly impactful, positive effects to negative effects. His meta-analyses have concluded that strategies emphasizing feedback, including classroom discussion, have a strong, positive effect on student learning and achievement outcomes. As a self-proclaimed teacher that “talks too much,” Sophie Murphy, under the direct guidance of Hattie as her lead supervisor, began investigating effective talk and questioning through the eyes of students.

In this webinar replay, you will learn about:

  • Sophie’s current PhD research that she is doing with Professor John Hattie at the University of Melbourne on the power of language, teacher talk, and student voice
  • Effective ways to use language across elementary and secondary classrooms to create deep level learning, transfer of understanding, effective questioning, and classroom discussion
  • Research-based tips that will translate directly into your daily instruction
Randy_Bell

The Nature of Science in YOUR Classroom

by with No Comment Webinar - Science

The Nature of Science in YOUR Classroom

What is the nature of science and how can it be used to increase student interest and promote scientific literacy? These are just some of the questions that you will explore as you learn from student-centered activities designed to encourage critical thinking about what nature of science is and how it can enhance your instruction. Dr. Bell’s session will offer specific strategies and resources that support ALL students in learning about the nature of science and how to make sense of scientific claims they encounter on a daily basis.

Randy_Bell

Dr. Randy Bell

Associate Dean and Professor of Science Education

What is the nature of science and how can it be used to increase student interest and promote scientific literacy? These are just some of the questions that you will explore as you learn from student-centered activities designed to encourage critical thinking about what nature of science is and how it can enhance your instruction. Dr. Bell’s session will offer specific strategies and resources that support ALL students in learning about the nature of science and how to make sense of scientific claims they encounter on a daily basis.

In this webinar replay, you will learn:

  • What nature of science means and how it is represented in NGSS
  • Strategies for teaching nature of science and how they can be used to boost student interest
  • The nuanced difference between science inquiry and nature of science
Malcolm_Butler

Reading and Writing in and About Science — Engaging and Encouraging Every Student with Notebooking

by with No Comment Webinar - Science

Reading and Writing in and About Science — Engaging and Encouraging Every Student with Notebooking

How can we use notebooking as a tool for increasing student success in science? Language is a critical part of the learning equation, and the use of a variety of communication strategies is essential for students in developing their academic language. This webinar replay will offer specific strategies (with appropriate rationales!) for teachers, as they support ALL students in the learning of science and language. 

Malcolm_Butler

Dr. Malcolm Butler

Associate Director, School of Teacher Education
University of Central Florida

How can we use notebooking as a tool for increasing student success in science? Language is a critical part of the learning equation, and the use of a variety of communication strategies is essential for students in developing their academic language. This webinar replay will offer specific strategies (with appropriate rationales!) for teachers, as they support ALL students in the learning of science and language. 

In this webinar replay, you will learn:

  • The importance of academic language development in science
  • Strategies for supporting learners in science as they develop their language skills
  • The nuanced difference between 'writing' and 'documenting' experiences and thoughts in science notebooks
  • Ways to support colleagues in the use of science notebooks, and garner support of administrators in the use of science notebooks
Pathways

Preparing Students for College and Career: How Can We Make Sure Students are Equipped to Succeed?

by with No Comment Webinar - Career & Tech Ed

Preparing Students for College and Career: How Can We Make Sure Students are Equipped to Succeed?

Combined with over 30 years of experience working with students in higher education, these two seasoned college and career advisors share their insight into the pros and cons of various individual readiness tools typically used by schools. Changes that have the potential to increase students’ preparedness are discussed.

Pathways

Marilyn Baehr

Ohio State University Academic and Career Advisor
Academic Advisor at Columbus State Community College

Amy Martinez, MA

Ohio State University Academic and Career Advisor
Admissions Coordinator, Ohio University Heritage College

Combined with over 30 years of experience working with students in higher education, these two seasoned college and career advisors share their insight into the pros and cons of various individual readiness tools typically used by schools. Changes that have the potential to increase students’ preparedness are discussed. The advisors offer tangible ideas for students to take ownership of their learning pathway, as well as strategies for teachers and school administrators to best position students for current demands in college and career readiness.

In this webinar replay, you will learn:

  • What a Success Contract is, and how it can both motivate high school students toward better preparation for college and career and how to hold them accountable for their own readiness outcome
  • Why Experiential Learning opportunities are good for both career AND college preparation.
  • Ways to raise the impact of Dual Credit, Advanced Placement®, and Career & Technical Education courses to enhance student readiness
  • How Pathways digital initiative from National Geographic Learning can enhance students' preparation for college and career at all levels of readiness
Schneider

New Ideas in CS: What the New AP® Computer Science Principles Course is All About

by with No Comment Webinar - Career & Tech Ed

New Ideas in CS: What the New AP® Computer Science Principles Course is All About

In this webinar replay Dr. Michael Schneider will discuss how to incorporate and focus on crucial computational skills that go beyond basic programming languages to fulfill the needs of the AP® Computer Science Principles course including the study and application of algorithms as well as the legal, moral and ethical issues related to the field.

Schneider

Dr. Michael Schneider

Co-author of Invitation to Computer Science

In this webinar replay Dr. Michael Schneider will discuss how to incorporate and focus on crucial computational skills that go beyond basic programming languages to fulfill the needs of the AP® Computer Science Principles course including the study and application of algorithms as well as the legal, moral and ethical issues related to the field.

In this webinar replay, you will:

  • Learn about the core principles covered in the AP® Computer Science Principles course
  • See several in-class activities to model algorithmic principles
  • Learn tips and tricks to engage students in the AP Computer Science Principles course