New Orleans Center for Creative Arts: A 2013 Transformation Award Winner
NOCCA’s Full-Day Academic Studio Program Recognized By K12 Inc. For Its Innovative Online Curriculum
New Orleans Center for Creative Arts (NOCCA) is proud to announce that it has been selected by K12 Inc. as one of the recipients of the 2013 Transformation Awards. NOCCA has been invited to receive this award at the International Association of K-12 Online Learning (iNACOL) ceremony and conference taking place in Orlando next month.
This award recognizes schools, districts and organizations that partner with K12 Inc. and demonstrate innovative online programs for their students. Selected recipients must lead in the example of innovative practice to improve overall effectiveness, efficiency and success of online learning.
NOCCA emphasizes the connection between world languages and the arts through the use of Middlebury Interactive Languages™ in a blended learning environment, offering students courses in five languages at four levels each. Students are able to choose languages that interest them and that connect with their disciplines. For example, some vocal music students study German and Spanish to help with their arias, while some media arts students, with an interest in French Noir film, study French. This year, NOCCA is integrating individual online courses into its curriculum by piloting an online health class.
Chief Academic Officer Brian Dassler stated, “”NOCCA’s pioneering use of an online platform to deliver language instruction is a source of great pride for us. In addition to being able to offer any language at any level, we are able to support students in working at their own pace, making learning a constant and time and place a variable. That our students are also learning how to learn online — an essential skill for the 21st century — is also a tremendous asset of our approach.”