How Augmented and Virtual Reality Take CTE Programs to the Next Level

Students enrolled in Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs have a graduation rate of 95% (10 points higher than the U.S. national average), not to mention above-average post-secondary enrollment and college graduation rates. The rise in students gravitating towards CTE has several drivers - the opportunity for hands-on training, connections to real-world situations, and a career readiness boost even before entering the workplace. This surge in CTE graduates will help meet increasing demand for jobs in expanding fields such as healthcare, in which jobs are expected to grow 18% by 2026 (an additional 2 million jobs).

Augmented and Virtual Reality (AR/VR) is helping to make CTE programs even more impactful, through the immersive exploration and manipulation of virtual content (3D models and simulations). “AR/VR has the unique ability to deliver immersive learning that places our students in an interactive learning environment, either physically or virtually, to replicate possible scenarios or to teach particular skills or techniques. The simulations, role play, and virtual learning environments are changing education and enhancing learning,” explains Mike Macchiarola, Interim Director at Pasco County Schools in Florida.

AR/VR enhances CTE learning and boosts career readiness in the following ways:

• Exposure to various career pathways, helping students discover their passions
• Personalized learning with AR/VR enables students to go at their own pace, follow their curiosity, and deepen understanding in the content areas that interest them most
• Builds confidence - in a safe, lifelike AR/VR environment, fearless learning is possible as students are free to take risks and learn from mistakes
• Sharpens the hands-on skills needed for jobs in growing technical fields (e.g., automotive mechanics, agriculture sciences, manufacturing, veterinary, robotics)
• Empowers students to earn industry certifications in high school, allowing them to pursue careers immediately upon graduation

zSpace AR/VR supports 12 of 17 career pathways, including:

• Automotive Mechanics
• Health Sciences / Allied Health
• Veterinary / Animal Science
• Advanced Manufacturing / Robotics
• Agriculture Science
• Welding

Take a 2-min. video tour of AR/VR for CTE, download our Overview of CTE Learning Applications, and feel free to schedule an on-site demo tailored to your instructional programs!