STEM

PODetc is in development of several new courses for the fall and winter terms. One of these courses will focus on STEM - (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math). STEM is not necessarily a new focus in education as we have known for a long time that other countries are out-competing us in filling jobs in these critical areas. Just read Friedman's book, The World is Flat, (read an excerpt here) to get a feel for what globalization means to us and our students. We are not producing the graduates that are capable of filling the jobs of the future.

STEM is a way to focus on those skills perceived as most critical to the future, but it does not mean that other disciplines are unimportant. Read a Q&A with auther Tony Wagner to get a preview of what he calls the seven survival skills for the future in his book, The Global Achievement Gap. This list includes oral and written communication, creativity and imagination, critical thinking, and several more. We need many of what might be called the traditional disciplines, but we need to integrate them into more meaningful and authentic learning opportunities.

If viewed properly, a STEM focus can provide this shift by providing an application of skills attained through the study of English, languages, history, art, music within a context of science, technology, engineering, and math that provides students with actual application of those skills to their world. My goal with the new PODetc course will be to provide educators from all backgrounds an opportunity to develop meaning for the acronym within their own reality and to share tools that can help us develop focus in these areas so critical to our students' futures.

To read the latest news on STEM, visit Education Week's Spotlight on STEM in Schools.

Information overload

As an educator, I often find myself buried with the responsibilities of teaching during the school year let alone keeping up with the exponentially growing number of resources available to me through the internet. Yet, I know that it is my social and professional responsibility to keep up the growth of technology in order to better serve the generation of digital learners that populate all of our classrooms. There are, of course, a variety of options open to allow me to keep up with some of the instructional tools available through technology. Online learning is a great way to continue professional development at a pace, time, and location that fits my schedule.

PODetc courses are offered 24/7 in an asynchronous setting but that does not mean that there is no interaction between student and instructor. With the use of discussion posts and forums, as well as periodically scheduled synchronous chats, extensive communication occurs among the participants of a course. Many such courses exist and some combine synchronous with asynchronous interaction at a specific ratio.

Another option occurs with many degree programs where a ratio is set between face-to-face meetings and online interaction. This is the case with the Pepperdine Doctoral program in Educational Technology. I was able to hold down a full-time teaching job while earning my doctorate because the course was designed with professional students in mind. Our face-to-face interactions occured in blocks throughout the year, but we had ongoing online assignments and collaborative opportunities throughout.

With the PODetc model, professional can earn graduate credit while fulfilling standards established, for example, through ISTE with the Teacher NETS (National Educational Technology Standards). (www.iste.org) In the future, we will offer a certificate indicating completion of coursework that covers all of the NETS and their subcategories. As professionals, educators are obligated to keep up with learning research and learning opportunities for themselves and their students.

Summer Learning Opportunities

Summer is a Great Time to Learn for Yourself!

PODetc is offering several terrific courses for the summer and now is the time to enroll! We are currently running Introduction to Instructional Technology in the Classroom and are just finishing up with Tech Literacy 102: Building Knowledge Management Systems and Creativity and Innovation in the Classroom.

Our July offerings include:

• Survey of Emerging Technologies
• Tech Literacy 103: Utilizing Social-Networking Support Tools in a Leadership Capacity

You can enroll online and can take the course on either a credit or non-credit basis. Check out our catalog offerings at:
http://www.podetc.com/PODetc/Course_Catalog.html