High-Tech, Hands-On 2 of 3
High-Tech, Hands-On: How GP Tech Instructors are Embracing Innovation (2 of 3)
More Tech = More Time
Giving Students and Teachers the Freedom to Focus
By M. Churchwell
I like students to have freedom.
- BRYAN GILLAND, ELECTRICAL INSTRUCTOR
Technology has always been one of the defining factors in the way instructors teach and students learn at GP Tech. By integrating digital tools, educators create a more flexible and engaging learning environment. This focus is especially evident in the Electrical Level I and Cosmetology (Frederick campus) programs, where instructors embrace technology to give students more freedom in how they learn while allowing teachers to dedicate more time to hands-on instruction.
Freedom to Learn: Technology in the Electrical Classroom
Electrical instructor Bryan Gilland has seamlessly blended iPads, SMART Boards, Schoology, and the Pearson/NCCER online curriculum to create a highly interactive learning experience. Students access their curriculum through Schoology, our newly adopted learning management system (LMS), which integrates directly with Pearson/NCCER. This means students can read, listen, and engage with their coursework from anywhere in the classroom or shop, allowing for personalized learning experiences.
“I try to give my students as many opportunities to use technology as possible,” Gilland says. “They can use iPads to read and listen to their NCCER online curriculum, which they access through Schoology. I like students to have a little freedom to move around to locations around the classroom and shop where they can focus. They can also work on the desktops in the classroom, but the iPads work well for students who work better in a different location or want to move around.”
The SMART Board is a central tool in his instruction, used daily for electrical code review and hands-on demonstrations. When new SMART Boards were being installed across campus, Gilland opted to keep his older model in his classroom and install the new board in his shop where previously there was not one. In the shop, Gilland uses the SMART Board to prepare students for the day’s hands-on activities, often delivering lessons to second-year and full-time adult students while first-year students work on foundational material in the classroom. On the day we visited his class, Gilland and Teacher Assistant Katlyn Teague were using the platform Kahoot to review electrical code. Students gathered around the SMART Board to view the Kahoot screen and answer using their iPads, making the review session both interactive and engaging.
This multi-method approach allows students to engage with the material in ways that suit their individual learning styles, whether that means listening to audio lessons, engaging in interactive reviews, or applying concepts directly in the shop.
Embracing Change: Digital Learning in Cosmetology
For Cosmetology instructor Linda Woody, this school year marked a major shift in teaching style. Historically a lecture-based instructor, Woody has transitioned to using Schoology and CIMA, an online cosmetology curriculum, to provide students with a more self-paced and interactive learning experience.
“Using CIMA allows me to spend more time with the practical/hands-on portion of the program,” Woody explains.
By shifting lecture content to the online platform, Woody has freed up valuable class time for hands-on training, allowing students to practice their skills with more direct supervision and guidance. The biggest challenge, she admits, was overcoming the initial resistance to change. “I have always been a lecture instructor, which was time-consuming, but the online curriculum allows me to briefly go over ‘why we need to know this,’ therefore giving students more time to work at their own pace through the online curriculum.”
Students have responded positively to the transition, particularly appreciating the instant feedback provided by the digital grading system. “The students like the fact that their assignments are graded when they complete them, and they do not have to wait for the instructor to grade,” Woody says.
For instructors hesitant about incorporating digital tools into their classrooms, Woody has one piece of advice: “Incorporate online curriculum into your program because of time management. It is a game changer.”
It is a game changer.
- LINDA WOODY, COSMETOLOGY INSTRUCTOR, FREDERICK CAMPUS
The Bigger Picture: A Unified Approach to Learning
This year, our district made the decision to unify all programs under one LMS—Schoology. The Electrical and Cosmetology programs are prime examples of how this transition is not only streamlining access to learning materials but also providing new opportunities for engagement and interaction. Whether it’s reviewing electrical codes through an interactive game or freeing up class time for hands-on cosmetology practice, technology enhances both teaching and learning.
By incorporating digital tools, these instructors are not only improving their students’ educational experiences but also preparing them for careers in industries that increasingly rely on technology. As we continue embracing these innovations in our classrooms, we are empowering students with the skills, flexibility, and confidence they need to succeed in the modern workforce.
