Bob Jones High School, James Clemens High School, Madison, News, RSS Facebook, RSS General, RSS Twitter, Schools
 By  GreggParker Published 
1:29 pm Wednesday, July 9, 2014

MC2 Academy shows needed technology advances in classroom, workforce

John Allen, standing at right, prepares for the next session as teachers gather at the Madison Core and Career Academy for Educators (MC2). (CONTRIBUTED)

John Allen, standing at right, prepares for the next session as teachers gather at the Madison Core and Career Academy for Educators (MC2). (CONTRIBUTED)

MADISON – In its second year, Madison Core and Career Academy for Educators (MC2) focused on technology during sessions involving business people, educators and students.

Teachers met industry owners to discuss workforce expectations in the 21st century.

Academy participants considered how technology “has changed all of our lives, not just the use of cool ‘techno’ gadgets in their field,” John Allen said. Allen chairs the Madison City Career and Technical Education Committee, the event sponsor. He is president of Southern Construction & Design Inc.

Robby Parker and Julia West coordinated MC2. About a dozen Madison secondary teachers and five business leaders attended with several students from James Clemens and Bob Jones high schools.

Today’s employees must understand technology, its use and ways to apply their skill sets to perform their jobs with “tools in the toolbox,” Allen said. “Skill level, soft skills and communication capabilities all are important for teachers to see that it is more than just shoving someone out the door.”

“The reality is that all approaches in education must focus on career technical education,” Allen said. “The workforce of today is changing constantly, driven by technology and the need for higher skilled workers (strong) in English, math and science.”

Yesterday’s blue-collar jobs are changing into today’s gray-collar jobs, Allen said. “We (must) teach and educate” students who physically will swing a hammer, manufacture the hammer or design the hammer.

Along with classroom study, academy participants visited local business sites. “The most engaging portion of the two-day course was al.com, (which) has transformed their newspaper from standard print journalism to digital consumption,” Allen said.

“The class first-hand witnessed the impact of technology that changed an industry,” he said.

In a whiteboard session, participants described their own first computer and a contemporary techno-gadget “they can’t live without,” he said. They discussed technology’s impact in the classroom, Internet access on Madison campuses and computing devices in the classroom.

The MC2 Academy also visited WHNT 19, Lowe Mill, James Clemens and Bob Jones campuses and Madison Police Department at City Hall.

Also on The Madison Record
Space Command relocation to Huntsville to bring area growth
A: Main, Madison County Record, News, ...
Staff Reports 
September 10, 2025
HUNTSVILLE — Officials expect at least 1,400 jobs to be directly added to the north Alabama area with the U.S. Space Command Headquarters permanently ...
Newly elected Madison mayor to depart US Chess role
Madison County Record, News, The Madison Recor, ...
Ranae Bartlett was named US Chess Executive Director in 2024
By JOHN HARTMANN US Chess Press 
September 10, 2025
MADISON - It is said that no one can serve two masters. And so US Chess Executive Director Ranae Bartlett is trading Caïssa for the people of Madison,...
Triana Fire Department train for medical helicopter operation
Madison County Record, News, The Madison Recor, ...
Gregg Parker 
September 10, 2025
TRIANA – Firefighters who work in Triana Fire Department recently accomplished a new milestone in their training to serve and protect their town. On-s...
Itty Bitty Bakers sweetens the community with classes
Madison County Record, News, The Madison Recor, ...
By KADIE TAYLOR news@themadisonrecord.com 
September 10, 2025
MADISON - Sweeten your day, Itty Bitty Bakers offers baking classes for locals, from 18 months to adults. Itty Bitty Bakers owner Kayla Johnson has be...
Madison Visionary Partners to host Gather Madison, volunteers needed
Events, Madison County Record, News, ...
EVENTS
Gregg Parker 
September 10, 2025
MADISON – In its premiere in 2025, the Gather Madison event will unite residents of all backgrounds at one long table for a free, shared meal in the s...
Kids to Love to go “Over the Edge” for children in foster care Sept. 19-20
Events, Madison County Record, News, ...
Staff Reports 
September 10, 2025
MADISON - Bold, compassionate individuals will be going “Over the Edge” for Kids to Love during a thrilling two-day fundraiser where participants rapp...
The Madison Street Festival is less than a month away
Events, Madison County Record, News, ...
Gregg Parker 
September 10, 2025
MADISON – The first Saturday in October. That’s the day Madison residents turn out to visit with friends and neighbors, promote school groups, shop fo...

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *