Integrating technology in CTE classrooms

This excerpt originally appeared in The World Needs CTE: Building a Future-Ready Workforce, published by iCEV, and is republished here with permission.

Key points:

Technology is rapidly changing every industry, and CTE classrooms are evolving accordingly to provide students with cutting-edge learning experiences. In today’s career training labs, you might find students exploring virtual reality simulations, programming robots, analyzing big data, or using 3D printers to create prototypes.

This isn’t technology for technology’s sake–it’s about enhancing learning and skill development. By integrating advanced tools and digital resources, CTE educators can better engage students and mirror the high-tech environments they will eventually work in.

As one CTE expert put it, emerging tech like VR, AR, and AI is “transforming how we learn,” allowing learners to explore topics in ways never before possible. These technologies make learning more immersive and interactive, which can spark students’ curiosity and deepen their understanding.

Consider the example of VR in a CTE program. With VR, students can enter simulated workplaces and practice tasks that would be impossible to replicate in a traditional classroom. In Madison, Alabama, an initiative called the KTech Beta Academy partnered with a local high school’s engineering program to prepare students using VR simulations of on-the-job experiences. Students donned VR headsets to virtually step into work environments–for instance, a manufacturing plant or a construction site–and learned by doing tasks in a safe virtual space. This program was so advanced that it even included an opportunity for students to interview for real internships with the VR company after completing the simulation. This kind of collaboration exemplifies how integrating technology can blur the line between classroom learning and actual employment, giving students a huge leg up.

AR is another game-changer in CTE classes. AR can overlay digital information onto real-world settings, which is incredibly useful for technical training. For instance, AR applications can project a holographic engine onto a mechanic’s workspace, allowing automotive students to see inside components and visualize how parts fit together. Welding students might use AR welding simulators that show a live feed of their work with real-time guidance and error correction–all without wasting materials. These innovations provide instant feedback and allow students to practice repeatedly until they master the skill. Students who may struggle with comprehension can especially benefit from these visual and hands-on aids, as complex concepts become easier to grasp when experienced in an interactive way.

AI is also making its way into CTE and education at large. AI-driven software tutors can personalize learning for students, for example by adjusting the difficulty of quizzes based on a student’s performance or by providing hints when the student gets stuck. In fields like computer science and IT, learning to work alongside AI tools is itself a valuable skill–today’s students might use AI for data analysis, automated coding assistance, or predictive modeling as part of their CTE projects. The presence of AI in the classroom trains students to see it as a collaborative tool, not a threat, preparing them for workplaces where AI will be part of everyday processes. As AI continues to advance, CTE programs focused on areas like cybersecurity, machine learning, and data science are becoming increasingly popular, ensuring students are ready for the high-tech jobs of the future.

Integrating technology in CTE isn’t just about fancy equipment; it’s about enhancing teaching methods and expanding opportunities. For example, simulation software is widely used in health science programs to let students practice medical procedures. A nursing student can use a patient care simulator to learn how to check vital signs, administer injections, or respond to medical emergencies – building confidence and competence before ever touching a real patient. In agriculture classes, students might use drone technology to learn about precision farming, or GIS mapping tools to analyze land use. In business and marketing CTE courses, students use industry-standard software to create digital marketing campaigns or practice accounting. By using the same tools and technologies that professionals use, CTE students become fluent in those platforms early on. They also develop a mindset of adaptability: When they encounter new tech in the workplace, they are less likely to be intimidated and more likely to quickly learn how to use it.

Another critical aspect of tech integration is expanding access through online and blended learning. The pandemic accelerated the adoption of online platforms for CTE. Today, many programs use a hybrid model where students might do part of their coursework online (such as learning theory through interactive modules or watching demonstration videos) and then spend the rest of the time in-person applying that knowledge. This approach can maximize flexibility and accommodate different learning paces. It also introduces students to the kind of remote collaboration tools (like video conferencing, shared cloud workspaces, etc.) that are ubiquitous in modern workplaces. Online CTE curriculum platforms provide ready-made interactive lessons, assessments, and multimedia content that teachers can incorporate, ensuring that even schools in rural areas or with limited lab facilities can offer robust, up-to-date coursework. These platforms often come with features like automatic grading and analytics, which free up teachers’ time to focus more on hands-on instruction and one-on-one mentoring.

The results of leveraging technology in CTE are impressive. Studies and anecdotal reports suggest that students in tech-enhanced CTE classes show increased engagement and motivation. Instead of passively reading about a concept, they actively experience it–whether by troubleshooting a virtual electrical circuit, designing a 3D model, or competing in an e-sports simulation as part of an IT pathway. As engagement rises, so do outcomes: Students retain knowledge better and can more readily transfer classroom learning to real-world scenarios. Equally important, technology integration helps attract a broader range of students to CTE, including those who are digital natives and might not have considered a “vocational” class otherwise. When these students see high-tech equipment and creative projects, they recognize that CTE is not an outdated shop class–it’s at the forefront of educational innovation. This can be especially effective in recruiting students into fields facing labor shortages. For example, demonstrating a high-tech welding simulator or a construction project done with drone surveys might entice college-bound students to also value skilled trades, or show academically oriented students that CTE can complement and enhance academic learning (rather than being an alternative to college).

To keep up this momentum, CTE programs need support in acquiring and maintaining technology, as well as training for teachers. Grants and industry partnerships often play a role in outfitting labs with new equipment. Meanwhile, professional development is crucial so that instructors can learn how to effectively implement these tools in their teaching. Many CTE educators are themselves learning VR or AI alongside their students, and this culture of continuous learning is something CTE has embraced. The bottom line is, embracing technology in CTE classrooms helps ensure that students are not learning in a vacuum–they are learning in a context that mirrors the evolving world of work. By doing so, we are truly preparing a future-ready workforce adept at leveraging technology for problem-solving and innovation.