AWS Academy and Vocareum Partnering to Deliver Hands-On Education to Millions of Learners

July 26, 2024

Case Study: AWS Academy and Vocareum partnered to deliver hands-on education to over 2 million learners

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Case Study

An interview with Amazon’s Business Development Strategist for Global Education Programs, Dr. Jessica K. Gilmore

In this case study

The case study highlights how Vocareum, a leading provider of cloud-based learning labs, utilized AWS services to enhance its educational solutions. By integrating AWS Cloud Sandboxes and AI solutions, Vocareum improved scalability, performance, and security for its platform, benefiting numerous educational institutions and learners globally. This partnership enabled Vocareum to offer a more robust and innovative learning experience, solidifying its position as an AWS Champion.

Can you introduce yourself and tell us about your journey in tech and education?

I’m Dr. Jessica K. Gilmore, a Business Development Strategist for Global Education Programs at Amazon and former Senior Manager and Global Program Lead for AWS Academy. With a career spanning higher education, corporate leadership, and community service, I’ve driven initiatives that have trained over one million students and reached over two million this year. Previously, I held leadership roles in the Utah System of Higher Education and Utah Valley University, and served as Dean at Walla Walla Community College.

What led to the creation of AWS Academy?

AWS Academy was created to meet the growing demand for cloud computing skills in the job market. Amazon Web Services (AWS) aimed to bridge the gap between industry needs and educational offerings by providing a free, ready-to-teach cloud computing curriculum for higher education institutions, preparing students for industry-recognized certifications and ensuring they are job-ready.

How does AWS Academy prepare students for real-world cloud careers?

AWS Academy prepares students for cloud careers through hands-on labs and projects that mirror industry challenges, providing practical experience with AWS tools and services. The curriculum aligns with AWS Certification standards and is regularly updated with the latest cloud concepts, ensuring students are job-ready. Additionally, AWS Academy provides robust resources for educators and ensures effective teaching of cloud concepts, enhancing student learning outcomes.

Why did AWS Academy choose Vocareum?

AWS Academy chose Vocareum for its seamless integration capabilities and robust support for hands-on labs, which are crucial for effective cloud computing education. Vocareum’s platform allows for smooth implementation of practical, real-world projects that enhance the learning experience. Additionally, their collaborative approach and responsiveness to customer needs made them an ideal partner for delivering AWS Academy’s curriculum.

Can you tell us more about why hands-on learning is so important?

Hands-on learning is crucial because it allows students to directly engage with cloud platforms, tools, and services, reinforcing theoretical knowledge through practical application. This experiential approach helps students retain information better and develop critical problem-solving skills by simulating real-world challenges. Additionally, hands-on projects boost confidence and prepare students for professional environments, making them more competitive in the job market.

What feedback have you received from students and educators?

Feedback from educators and students has been overwhelmingly positive. For example, after launching recent lab projects, one customer noted that the new features and AWS Academy Lab Project – Cloud Data Pipeline Builder significantly enhanced practical knowledge and skills for students. This integration of hands-on labs has made the instructional content more impactful and valuable.

What are your plans for the future of AWS Academy?

As a customer-obsessed organization, the AWS Academy team hopes to continue gathering feedback from educators and students to refine and improve our offerings, ultimately preparing more students for successful careers in cloud computing. We aim to introduce new and innovative lab projects, ensuring our curriculum stays ahead of industry trends.

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