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Teacher Interview – School District Implements Hybrid Teaching and Learning 

Joshua Frisch • July 11, 2020

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. 

Almost all of the school districts in the country were forced to transition to hybrid learning due to coronavirus, and reopening plans for the 2020-2021 school year will most likely continue to incorporate hybrid learning options. Doug has been doing hybrid teaching  with CTeLearning curriculum since their partnership began years ago.

 

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.

 

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By Steve Waddell • December 30, 2024
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 . 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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. CTeLearning's 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. Interested in learning more? Click here or call us at 913-764-4272 to schedule a free 20-minute demo of any of our courses and certifications. Citations 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

By Steve Waddell • December 30, 2024
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. 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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

By Steve Waddell • November 7, 2024
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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.
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