{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"Why Distance Learning?","title":"#61 CTE Thrives Online: High STEP's Amanda Bell Shows Us How","html":"","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":1828,"description":"Can hands-on career training truly happen online? Skeptics argue that virtual education falls short when it comes to preparing students for high-touch, high-stakes professions—especially in healthcare.\n\nAmanda Bell, a visionary CTE leader and creator of High STEP Virtual Academy, proves otherwise. In this episode, Amanda shares how she’s revolutionizing health science education for rural and under-resourced schools through virtual reality, AI simulations, and hybrid learning models. From virtual cadaver labs to soft skills AI bots, Amanda walks us through how her students are getting certified, career-ready, and more self-aware—all without ever stepping into a physical clinic.\nDiscover how immersive technology can elevate CTE and make career exploration more equitable, accessible, and personalized. Amanda also offers practical insight into building community online, teaching empathy virtually, and using tech to strengthen—not replace—the human side of healthcare education.\nEpisode Links:\nHigh STEP Virtual Academy\nSouth Central Service Cooperative\nCenter for Interactive Learning and Collaboration (CILC)\nHost Links:\nDiscover more virtual learning opportunities and resources at CILC.org with Tami Moehring and Allyson Mitchell.\nSeth Fleischauer’s Banyan Global Learning provides meaningful global learning experiences that prepare students across the globe for success in an interconnected world.","thumbnail_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/2eKPm8ob1eS5Ju0DBuhPXRKuQv7Vx4cWT0c4uWSYbCQ/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:400/h:400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS82MmFh/MmQyYTc4NzdkNGJh/MzIzZWU5MmI3MzRk/MjQwYy5wbmc.webp","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300}