This is something that will actually help you in life. Nobody has had this opportunity, and for us to have it, it’s just something like—it’s like a blessing. 
This is something that will actually help you in life. Nobody has had this opportunity, and for us to have it, it’s just something like—it’s like a blessing.
The CCC program utilizes a number of research-based strategies and techniques to engage students in academic studies while developing a variety of 21st century skills.
Blended Learning
The CCC program uses a blended learning model to insure the integration of Internet communications tools and World Wide Web (WWW) resources in all courses. Blended learning is the use of an online instructional environment to support learning in a classroom setting. Curriculum materials developed for a blended learning environment include instructional resources and student activities that utilize Internet resources as a core component of the teaching and learning process. Students and teachers can access and utilize the WWW resources in the classroom or at anytime and anyplace. Online collaboration and communications tools further extend classroom discussion to include college faculty and business professionals. The CCC online environment is located at http://ctcconline.org.
ePortfolio Assessment
The ePortfolio is integrated into the CCC online course environment and is an essential element for documenting and presenting student knowledge, skills, and projects. Students and teachers collaborate on the submission of materials for the CCC ePortfolio as it is used to reflect upon the development of student knowledge and skills over time. Students can also customize the ePortfolio to share their own work and personal interests through the ePortfolio blog. The ePortfolio is accessible within the CCC online course environment and students can allow peers, parents, perspective employers, and college admissions officers to view it.
Comprehensive Project
All CCC courses utilize a comprehensive project as the primary instructional strategy. Each comprehensive, standards-based research and development project includes technical writing, research, computer-assisted design, computer animation, digital audio/video, digital photography, and Web site development. Throughout the school-year-long project, students learn about emerging technologies and Internet-based services as they develop a mock technology company and assume positions in the company to complete a given challenge.
Experiential Learning
Experiential learning takes students and teachers beyond the classroom and into the real world to experience the application of learning in a business environment. Classroom speakers, company tours, job shadows, student internships, and teacher externships are important strategies for connecting classroom teaching and learning to business and higher education. Students and teachers meet on a quarterly basis at a Connecticut college or corporate campus to hear from invited speakers and college faculty about the latest developments in the digital arts and sciences. During these events, students engage in course-related workshops and activities as they collaborate across district boundaries with other students and business mentors.
Connecticut Student Innovation Exposition
According to noted Harvard education researcher Howard Gardner, students need a transformational or “threshold” experience to cement a lifelong interest in a particular discipline of study. The annual Connecticut Student Innovation Expo is just such an experience. In 2009, over 1300 Connecticut students attended this celebration of student work and identified it as the highlight of their school year. The Connecticut Student Innovation Expo is a required performance assessment for all CCC students in order to insure the opportunity for a threshold experience.
Professional Development
All CCC teachers participate in a variety of professional development opportunities during the school year and summer. Throughout the school year, CCC program specialists support teachers by facilitating the implementation of the CCC courses and organizing a variety of seminars and workshops. A major aspect of the professional development program is the annual CCC Summer Institute that prepares teachers to utilize the CCC online environment while updating their content knowledge for the related courses.