1. Karyn Vaivoda Post University
Information Technology
Health Services
Implementation of the E-learning Experience in the Career Academy Model
Karyn Vaivoda
Post University
Human Services

2. Waterbury Career Academy
INTRODUCTION
In a safe and welcoming environment, WCAHS teachers will work cooperatively with families and members of the community to promote high academic standards and provide a comprehensive, skills-based career education utilizing 21st century competencies to prepare our students for post secondary education and employment options and opportunities in order to become critical thinkers, learners, workers and
community contributors. Online coursework, or “E-learning” will be a part of this 21st century
learning experience!
(Admin, WCA)

3. Why use Career Academy models in the first place?
Futurists use scanning techniques to seek out technological advancements that will impact their organization. Events themselves do not signify change for the scanner; instead, they seek to understand how futuristic opportunities can become realities that will enhance their programs.
The Career Academy Model has been the subject of many scanning studies over a 30 year period. Target participants in scanning samples are high school students in at-risk schools and school districts with high drop-out and unemployment rates.
STATISTICS of High Risk Groups*
ACADEMY NON-ACADEMY
Drop out rates 21% 32%
Attendance 82% 76%
Satisfied high school
requirements 40% 26%
Applied to 2-4 year college 51% 35%
Base pay of males $212 greater than NON-Academy males per week
The Career Academy student attends college 16% over the non-academy student! It is our obligation to prepare them for college and online learning!
( J.Kemple & J. Snipes,2000)

4. A CALL TO ACTION COLLEGE TRENDS TODAY…
75%
A CALL TO ACTION COLLEGE TRENDS TODAY…
of all colleges say online courses are now necessary for their survival!
HELLO
(Project Tomorrow. 2009)
(D. Wheeler, 2014)
Goodbye
Online Enrollments,
Students Taking at Least 1 Online Course Increase Over Previous Year % Increase
2002 1,602,970 n/a n/a
2003 1,971, , %
2004 2,329, ,
2005 3,180, ,
2006 3,488, ,
2007 3,938, ,
2008 4,606, ,
2009 5,579, ,
2010 6,142, ,
2011 6,714, ,

5. Superintendent’s Report offers scenarios on the high school level
-Kathleen Oullette
2012
(Oullette, 2013)
“What is the rest of Connecticut doing?”

6. 92 out of 258 high schools in Connecticut are registered with The Virtual High School!
Who is the high school online candidate?
Students who are “self-managers”
Athletes
Performers
Students with Special Needs
Homebound Students
Students who work
College bound students
Students who need
credit recovery
11 are Academy schools
4 are Magnet schools
7 are middle schools
1 is an elementary school
(“Virtual”, 2013)
What does this mean for the Waterbury Career Academy?

7. Waterbury Career Academy
Looking into the future…
Waterbury Career Academy
Class of 2019
Scenario: Every student enrolled at the WCA must complete one online course prior to graduation.
Rationale: Students will be prepared for the increasing demands of online learning prior to attending any postsecondary education facility. (WFS, 2013)
Materials available:
7 computer labs + library computers
244+ online computers available for student use
Smartboards with accessories in every classroom
Staff Needed: One trained proctor for each grade level . Proctor meets with students once a week for 50 minutes to offer support and answer questions students may have.
Admin (2013)

8. High School Students Speak Up about Reasons for Taking Online Classes
Earn college credit 47% Work at my own pace 44% Take class not offered at my school 40% Complete HS requirements 37% Get extra help in a subject 36% Fit my schedule 34% Easier for me to learn in an online class 15%
45,000 available high school online courses in 2000
3,000,000 available in 2009
ASK YOURSELF, AM I PREPARED FOR ONLINE LEARNING AS OF RIGHT NOW?
Project Tomorrow (2103)

9. REFERENCES
Admin. (2013). Horizon Report. USA: New Media Consortium and EDUCAUSE Learning Initiative.
Admin. (2013). Waterbury Career Academy High School. Retrieved from
DeBraga, J. (2010, November 19). A+ Success Story. Retrieved from:
J. Kemple & J. Snipes. (2000). Career Academies: Impacts on Student Engagement and Performance in High School. New York: Manpower Demonstration Research Corporation

10. REFERENCES (cont.)
J. Kemple & J. Snipes. (2000). Career Academies: Impacts on Student Engagement and Performance in High School. New York: Manpower Demonstration Research Corporation Oullette, K. (2012, September 12 , p ). Overall District Improvement Strategy. Retrieved from State Department of Education: Reidel, C. (2014, February 11). Using Online and Blended Learning to Help Students Design Their Educational Experience. Retrieved from the JOURNAL: Tomorrow, P. (2009). Learning in the 21st Century; 2009 Trends Update. Retrieved from Tomorrow.org:

11. REFERENCES (cont.)
Tomorrow, P. (2013). Creating Our Future: Students Speak up about their Vision for Learning. Retrieved from
Wheeler, D. (2014, February 3). Will online classes make professors extinct? Retrieved from
"Virtual". (2013). The Virtual High School. Retrieved from
WFS. (2013). Scanning and Scenarios. Retrieved from World Future Society: