COLUMBIA COUNTY, Ga. (WFXG) - Soon, COLUMBIA COUNTY STUDENTS WILL HAVE CYBER ADDED TO THEIR CURRICULUM. ACCORDING TO CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICER, JAMES VAN METER, the CYBER EDUCATION CURRICULUM is CALLED, NEXGEN. it's aim will be to PREPARe THE NEXT GENERATION OF COLUMBIA COUNTY STUDENTS, NO MATTER THE field THEY PLAN TO GO INTO.

AT THE MOST RECENT columbia county BOARD OF EDUCATiON MEETING, NEXGEN RECEIVED APPROVAL TO MOVE FORWARD. van meter says THE K-12 CURRICULUM WILL ENCOMPASS all subjects, ranging from MATH TO COSMETOLOGY, AS they each HAVE REACH IN THE CYBER WORLD. “IT’S NOT JUST CYBER SECURITY, IT REACHES EVERY ASPECT OF BUSINESS IN COLUMBIA COUNTY AND OUTSIDE OF COLUMBIA COUNTY,” says van meter.

VAN METER has heard from employers that TODAY’S STUDENTS FALL BEHIND WHEN IT COMES TO LOGICAL THOUGHT. once they join the workforce, they HAVE TO PLAY CATCH UP. but, HE BELIEVES THIS implementation can help combat this.

nexgen will place an emphasis on STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTION and DEVELOPING PROBLEM SOLVING SKILLS. AS THE CURRICULUM EVOLVES, THE will begin BRINGing IN LOCAL BUSINESSES, FOR HANDS ON INSTRUCTION. “WE ARE TALKING ABOUT ROBOTICS AND ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND REALLY JUST TEACHING OUR KIDS LOGIC AND BRINGING THAT UP ANd INCORPORATING THAT INTO THE LESSON PLANS," says van meter. "SO, AT THE END OF ALL THIS, EVERYBODY IN THe DISTRICT WILL BE INVOLVED IN THIS PROGRAM.”

the district has EMPLOYED A CYBER TASK FORCE to assist with the planning phases of this project, CONSISTING Of FORT GORDON, COMMUNITY MEMBERS and other helpful resources. van meter predicts that by next school year, THE PROGRAM SHOULD be implemented.

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