The COVID pandemic has significantly affected education, resulting in widespread “learning loss” or “educational disruptions” by the end of 2022 for students globally. In response, many states in the United States are turning to Career and Technical Education (CTE programs) as a promising avenue to help students catch up to their grade levels.

In the United States, particularly in Alaska, CTE is gaining prominence as an effective strategy. The Department of Education acknowledges that high-quality CTE programs play a crucial role in boosting student engagement, ensuring on-time graduation, and improving academic learning—key components in addressing the repercussions of lost instructional time.

Taking Alaska as an example, a state recognized for its leadership in CTE programs, students who completed a sequence of CTE classes were found to be 10 percentage points more likely to pursue postsecondary education after graduation.

Alaska has forged a partnership with the Area Health Education Centers Program focusing on developing curricula tailored for middle and high school students. This collaborative effort aims to further enhance the impact and effectiveness of CTE in addressing the challenges posed by the pandemic on education.

Body Interact as an ally for the CTE Programs

Since we consider that Body Interact is a perfect learning tool to complement all CTE program around the United States, we also have developed a comprehensive simulation curriculum that covers a diverse array of modules and scenarios, there are aligned with the National Healthcare Science Standards.

This curriculum exposes students to a large range of clinical scenarios and diverse patients with different clinical conditions and diseases

Virtual patient simulation it empowers students to become active participants in their learning, learn how to make critical decisions and witness, in real time, the impact of those actions in a safe and controlled environment.

Clinical Simulation: A Key Tool in CTE Program Success

This learning approach equips students with invaluable skills that go far beyond the classroom walls. They develop their ability to think critically, analyse data, and make sound decisions under pressure and these are skills that are indispensable in the fast-paced world of healthcare.

By immersing themselves in these lifelike scenarios, students can gain the confidence and competence necessary to excel in their future careers.

These students also thrive in collaborative environments and appreciate instant feedback. This technology allows them to work together in teams, simulating interdisciplinary collaboration and receive immediate feedback on their decisions and actions made within the simulations.

By Maria Carolina Ferreira – Customer Trainer / Registered Nurse