High-quality CTE: Facilities, Equipment, Technology and Materials
Click the + sign next to each category below to explore resources that align with the Facilities, Equipment, Technology and Materials element of the ACTE Quality CTE Program of Study FrameworkTM.
Research and Reports
- Safer Engineering and CTE Instruction: A National STEM Education Imperative – Love & Roy, International Technology and Engineering Educators Association, May 2022
This resource presents in-depth findings from a national P-12 CTE and STEM safety research study and provides practitioner-friendly safety recommendations to enhance safety in CTE and STEM instruction.
- Augmented and Virtual Reality in Education: An Examination of the Impact on Learning – Hite, zSpace, August 2021
This paper from technology provider zSpace discusses how to employ augmented and virtual reality and how use of emerging technologies can help to close opportunity gaps.
- 2021 CHLOE 6 Report: Online Learning Leaders Adapt for a Post-Pandemic World – Quality Matters, June 2021
Using survey responses from leaders at two- and four-year colleges, this report provides an overview of institutions’ priorities related to online learning and online course quality.
- Educational Technologies and Their Impact on Student Success for Racial and Ethnic Groups of Interest – National Research Center for Distance Education and Technological Advancements & Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education Cooperative for Educational Technologies, May 2021
This research review examines practices and interventions in education technology that can be used to create inclusive learning experiences for postsecondary students from underrepresented racial and ethnic backgrounds.
- CTE Distance Learning in Rural Communities – Advance CTE, May 2020
This resource from Advance CTE provides strategies to use when teaching CTE remotely in rural communities.
- Promising Practices and Design Principles in Career and Technical Education Delivered via Distance Learning Technology – Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Human Resources Development Working Group, 2019
This report by a working group of industry, association and academic experts discusses content, delivery and quality in distance CTE.
- Vocational Nursing Programs in Appalachia: The Impact of Technology on Traditional and Non-Traditional Students’ Experiences ($) – Darney & Larwin, Career and Technical Education Research, September 2018
This research study examines the impact of technology on the success of traditional and non-traditional postsecondary students in nursing programs in Columbiana County, Ohio.
- CTE on the Frontier series- Advance CTE, August 2017-April 2018
This series addresses how to use strategic partnerships and new technologies to reach economies of scale and offer a wider breadth of career pathways to rural learners.
- Simulated Work-Based Learning: Instructional Approaches and Noteworthy Practices – Moyer, Snodgrass, Klein & Tebben, U.S. Department of Education, August 2017
This paper explores the potential benefits of three models of simulated learning in CTE: simulation tools to teach occupationally specific skills; simulated workplaces, intended to replicate jobsite conditions; and school-based enterprises.
- An Examination of Safety and Health Practices in Agricultural Mechanics Education ($) – Threeton & Ewing, Career and Technical Education Research, September 2017
This report assesses the current occupational safety and health practices within agricultural mechanics programs.
- A Primer on Teacher Liability – Zirkle, Tech Directions, December 2016
This article discusses the concept of liability and shares simple ways teachers can lessen their exposure to liability concerns.
This report from technology provider zSpace describes benefits from 3D, virtual reality and related learning environments.
- Occupational Safety and Health Practices: An Alarming Call to Action ($) – Threeton & Evanoski, Career and Technical Education Research, August 2014
This research study examines existing CTE health and safety practices and identifies the obstacles that may hinder implementing health and safety practices within CTE curriculum.
- The NCSBN National Simulation Study: A Longitudinal, Randomized, Controlled Study Replacing Clinical Hours with Simulation in Prelicensure Nursing Education – Hayden et. al, Journal of Nursing Regulation, July 2014
This report documents the finding of the National Council of State Boards of Nursing National Simulation Study, which investigated whether simulated clinical experiences can be substituted effectively for traditional clinical experiences in undergraduate nursing programs.
- Simulations for STEM Learning: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis – D’Angelo et. al, SRI Education, March 2014
This research review provides an overview of studies that have compared simulation-based instruction to non-simulation-based instruction.
Toolkits, Guides and Frameworks
- Safety Guide for Career and Technical Education – Utah State Board of Education CTE Department & Utah Safety Committee, 2021
Developed by the state of Utah, this guide addresses legal information, general safety practices and teaching safety standards for CTE programs.
- Healthcare Simulation Standards of Best Practice – International Association for Clinical Simulation and Learning, 2021
These collaboratively developed standards are intended to guide the integration, use and advancement of simulation-based experiences within academia, clinical practice and research in health care.
- High-quality CTE: Planning for a COVID-19 Impacted School Year – ACTE, June 2020
This guide was designed to help CTE leaders make difficult decisions as they offer remote, blended and socially distanced learning during COVID-19. It is organized around the elements of the ACTE Quality CTE Program of Study Framework, including guidance related to facilities, equipment, technology and materials.
- Your CTE Safety Program: Safe Students, Safe Workers – University of California–Berkeley, September 2019
This guide outlines key CTE program elements that promote safety and health as well as action steps CTE programs can follow to strengthen safety protocols within their programs.
- Young Workers – Occupational Safety and Health Administration Resources
This hub provides resources that support young worker safety and help teachers develop safety skills in students.
- Safety and Health Program Audit Tool – Occupational Safety and Health Administration Resources, December 2017
This audit tool can be used by employers and instructors to evaluate a workplace, classroom or laboratory’s health and safety program.
- Core Elements of the Safety and Health Program Recommended Practices (adapted for CTE programs) – Wermes
Skilled trades instructor and CTE leader Andrew Wermes has adapted OSHA’s Safety and Health Program Recommended Practices to focus on student learning within an authentic CTE program. This adaptation includes essential leadership, faculty, staff, employer and stakeholder roles and program operations.
- OSHA Outreach Training Program and Authorized Online Outreach Training Providers – Occupational Safety and Health Administration Resources
This virtual program provides basic and advanced training about common safety and health hazards on the job. Students can receive an OSHA 10-hour or 30-hour course completion card at the end of training.
- Safety Checklist Program for Schools – National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, October 2003
The NIOSH Safety Checklist Program is a comprehensive resource for information schools need to maintain safe classrooms, shops and labs for teachers and students in CTE.
- Youth@Work—Talking Safety – National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
This curriculum, maintained by the NIOSH Safe • Skilled • Ready Workforce Program, is the culmination of many years’ work by a consortium of partners dedicated to reducing occupational injuries and illnesses among youth. An accompanying video series guides instructors through key concepts and activities.
Books
- Designing Safer Learning Environments for Integrative STEM Education, Fourth Edition ($) – DeLuca & Haynie, 2017
This manual aids teachers in developing and carrying out a safety program in the technology and engineering education classroom. It includes sample releases and other forms that teachers can duplicate for classroom use, as well as 18 printable safety posters and corresponding safety tests as well as PowerPoint presentations and videos that teachers can use to reinforce safer practices.
- Safer Makerspaces, Fab Labs, and STEM Labs: A Collaborative Guide! ($) – Roy & Love, 2017
This book discusses designing and maintaining safer makerspaces, Fab Labs and STEM labs in both formal and informal educational and community settings, including liability/legal standards, better professional practices, safety controls, biological/chemical/physical hazards, first aid procedures, the facilities planning process, recommended designs and existing examples, and frequently asked safety questions.
On-demand Webinars
- Exploring the Research on Innovative CTE Delivery Models – Advance CTE, May 2022
This webinar discusses how CTE programs adopted new approaches to virtual and remote learning during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Cooking with Canvas – ACTE, April 2021
The webinar examines how Yuma Union High School District in Arizona uses Canvas to enhance instruction in the CTE classroom. The YUHSD utilizes Canvas to create a high-functioning professional learning community that can constantly collaborate regardless of location. Districts that do not have Canvas can apply the same theories to other learning management systems or Google Classroom.
- Creating a Safe CTE Learning Environment – ACTE, January 2021
This webinar describes a course about CTE safety developed by Dr. Richard Jones for new CTE administrators.
- High-Quality CTE: Planning for a Covid-19-Impacted School Year: Facilities, Equipment, Technology and Materials – ACTE, June 2020
In this webinar, a panel of experts discusses adapting CTE facilities, equipment and technology for remote, blended and socially distanced learning.
- Google Meet: Pre-Masterclass – ACTE, June 2020
In this webinar, Carrington Faulk, high school marketing teacher and Google for Education Certified Trainer, gives an overview of how to use Google Meet and when it can be used in a CTE classroom.
- High-Quality CTE Programs of Study — Facilities, Equipment, Technology and Materials – ACTE, November 2019
This webinar reviews how Grand Island Public Schools in Nebraska opened the Career Pathways Institute and how collaboration with industry led them to a renovated facility, all new industry-grade equipment and a revamped curriculum—ensuring career and college readiness for all students.
- The Ultimate Learning Experience: Impacting Student Outcomes Using Virtual Reality – ACTE, October 2017
In this webinar, Michael Cabernia, Director of CTE at St. Lucie Public Schools, discusses how he used his Perkins funding to engage both students and teachers by implementing virtual reality in the classroom.
- Tech Tools: The Best Things in Life Are FREE! – ACTE, July 2016
In this virtual discussion, Dawn Lindsley reviews a collection of free virtual resources educators can use to engage students and to lead effective, engaging instruction.
Online Courses
- Creating a Safe CTE Learning Environment ($) - CTE Learn
This course introduces CTE administrators and instructors to proper safety procedures, maintenance and emergency protocols.
- Teaching in the Lab and Shop Environment ($) - CTE Learn
This course covers the instructional techniques necessary for the non-traditional classroom, including strategies for teaching to each student’s individual learning style as well as safety guidelines and considerations for specific lab and shop environments.
- Creative Teaching Tools in Clinical and Didactic Courses ($) - CTE Learn
In this course, users learn ways to engage health science students through visual and kinesthetic tools.
- Gamification in the Classroom ($) - CTE Learn
This course explores the field of gamification and the way that gaming and gaming elements can improve our courses.
- Gaming and Simulation in Online Learning ($) - CTE Learn
This course provides strategies and techniques for immersing students in interactive environment that incorporate gaming and simulations.
- Remote CTE Teaching that Works, 2020 and Beyond ($) - CTE Learn
This course highlights lessons learned since CTE teaching transitioned to remote and hybrid models.
- Teaching with Technology series ($) – CTE Learn
This series of courses addresses to integrate technology into your classroom to increase engagement, including specific tools such as tablets and online learning augmentations.
- Designing Online Instruction series ($) - CTE Learn
This series of courses addresses strategies for designing an online learning environment, including technology tools and virtual reality.
- Engaging Online Learners series ($) – CTE Learn
This eight-course series focuses on techniques to effectively engage and communicate with online learners, including active learning, gaming and simulation methods and personality traits of online learners.