The following article was sent to local newspapers for BC
Education Week.
Throughout BC, school is now more exciting, rewarding and relevant than
ever before. Students that once found school boring and frustrating have been turning to
Applied Academics for a welcomed change in the way they learn. As schools celebrate
Education Week, these students are rejoicing over better grades, a renewed love of
learning and the prospects of an easier transition to post-secondary institutions or the
workplace.
"I enrolled in Applications of Mathematics 10, and right away, my
marks started going up," recalls Natalie Peace, a student at Kelowna's Mount
Boucherie Secondary. "There were more hands on activities. I started to 'get it', and
even to like math."
Applied Academics courses offer students a different approach to learning.
In these classes, the regular content is taught against the backdrop of real-world
problems. Students can make the connection between what they are learning and how it is
used in the world around them.
According to Katie Wesnoski, a grade 11 student attending Ballenas
Secondary School in Nanaimo, the relevance of Applications of Mathematics made it easier
to focus and learn. "Everything we learned was put to a use. It made me want to go to
class and do the work, because I could see how the math was being used."
Research has shown that many bright students struggle with the traditional
teaching methods that emphasize passive learning. For these students, the look, listen and
memorize method just does not work. They learn best by doing. Given a chance to apply the
theories in a real-life context and they stand a better chance of succeeding.
Applied Academics courses, such as Applications of Math, Information
Technology, Applications of Physics and Technical and Professional Communications, provide
the opportunity to use course content to solve actual problems. This could involve
applying geometry to design a roller coaster, or using report writing techniques to write
an earthquake readiness report for the school. Graduates acquire employable skills and
problem solving skills.
"There are many doors that can be opened through Applied
Academics," explains Dave Chowdhury, the Executive Director of the Center for Applied
Academics. "These courses are helping many BC students reach their career goals, but
the students are still the ones who must open the doors." For most students, this
means working hard enough to get the marks required for entrance into a post secondary
program of their choice. This could mean universities, university transfer programs,
colleges, internships and professional-technical degree programs, or apprenticeship
programs.
For some students, Applied Academics is a natural fit for their career
goals. Arianne Huene, of Stelly's Secondary in Saanichton, was drawn to Technical and
Professional Communications by her passions and career aspirations. "I'm interested
in aviation and criminology, and there's a lot of professional writing in both
fields." The concise communications skills that she learned in class are precisely
what her future goals require.
Applied Academics is helping students reach their goals by erasing the
boundaries between the classroom and the real world. It is matching their learning styles
to the course content, while better preparing them for their future. More information
about Applied Academics can be ordered by calling toll free 1 877-293-CFAA.
