ISTE SIGIVC 2007: Career Exploration Opportunities

Organizational Overview
GCI – Educational services provider to 85,000 students across districts in Alaska, New Mexico, Montana and Arizona. GCI Managed Broadband Services provides enhanced Internet services, e-mail and distance learning services via videoconferencing to schools and districts.

Challenges
1. Demonstrate best practices for teachers and administrators new to distance learning providing and showcasing tools to demonstrate asynchronous and synchronous learning environments.

2. Create opportunities for GCI internship for high school graduates, creating a workforce and employment candidates who are ready for work.

Solution
Career Exploration Opportunities (CEO) http://www.ceo.schoolaccess.net was created to demonstrate curriculum available via distance learning for schools across Alaska. Students explore career possibilities, pathways and preparation for work. District-based mentors work closely with students using a web-based learning management system as well as web conferencing and videoconferencing blended learning environment.

Results
Program is very successful in showcasing videoconferencing blended learning environment.
The growth of CEO
Year 1 – 2004/2005 – Creation of CEO 15 students second semester
Year 2 – 2005/2006 – 33 students
Year 3 – 2006/2007 – 48 students

• 97% of the participating CEO students increased their awareness of career information and opportunities as a result of participating in the program
• All seniors reported that they were seeking further training after their involvement in the CEO program.
• 73% of participating CEO students improved their overall academic standing.
• 77% of participating CEO students improved their attendance.

Best Practices
Web conferencing for individual and small groups (office hours). Video Conferencing for large groups and direct instruction (Class meetings). Local teacher/mentor to guide students. Central teacher provides resources (Department of Labor, guest speakers, etc.) unavailable to remote schools. Use course management system for “store and forward” messages, assignments, readings, journals, etc.

Contact Information
Craig Mollerstuen, GCI, cmollerstuen@gci.com, 907-868-5727
Pam Lloyd, GCI and Communities in Schools, Alaska, Board Member – plloyd@gci.com, 907-868-0865
Carol Goltz, Communities in Schools, cgoltz@ceo.schoolaccess.net, 907-333-8272