Access to Powerful Technology as a Catalyst for Career Pathway Engagement

Abstract

This paper explores the opportunities and affordances presented when historically and systemically excluded (HSE) youth gain access to high-powered technology and tools in their school environment through an innovative program. Many research studies have shown the challenges HSE youth face in accessing high-value occupations, particularly in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). Despite the increasing demand for STEM jobs, pathways from schools to careers in these fields often lack effectiveness, especially among HSE students. The Reinvent the Classroom initiative, a collaboration between Digital Promise, HP, Microsoft, and Intel, aims to address this pathway challenge by integrating high-powered and effective technology into education. The initiative focuses on the idea that for students to meaningfully find their way to and through career and technical education (CTE) pathways, they must have the opportunity to find synergies among their interests, talents, and skills, and gain access to the required high-powered technologies that fuel powerful learning experiences. The HP Learning Studio at Anaheim High School serves as a catalyst for this journey, representing a significant step towards increasing student awareness, interest, and engagement in career and technical education pathways through exposure to technology and relevant learning opportunities. The studio provides students with access to high-powered technology and resources, fostering authentic, challenging, and collaborative learning experiences. Examples from Anaheim High School demonstrate how exposure to the HP Learning Studio sparks interest and leads to deep engagement in CTE pathways. The paper concludes by emphasizing the importance of aligning educational initiatives with student interests and community needs. By providing access to powerful learning opportunities, such as those facilitated by the HP Learning Studio, schools can empower students to pursue their passions and effectively prepare for future careers. The partnership between the Reinvent the Classroom initiative and Anaheim High School represents a promising approach to bridging the skills gap and promoting equitable access to jobs for the future for all students, especially those from historically marginalized communities. Through the integration of technology and innovative pedagogical approaches, schools can create transformative learning experiences that prepare students for success in the 21st-century workforce. But only by ensuring those technologies and pedagogies are available to all students can schools bridge the gap between K-12, an ever-evolving jobs landscape, and future-ready careers.