Website Mission
It is the mission of this website to assist in the development of learning environments that promote Career and Technical Education as well as academic excellence. To provide examples of effective 21st century teaching and learning strategies in order to assist in the development of more engaged and motivated classrooms. To provide multimedia Podcasts and articles to facilitate an understanding of how to implement technology and multimedia in classrooms regardless of content area. To encourage independent and personalized learning by teaching students to enjoy the process of learning. To assist teachers in becoming facilitators of learning.
Using the NETS•S
Imagine a learning environment where teachers can help facilitate learning, while students use creativity and innovation, communication and collaboration, research, critical thinking, problem solving, decision-making, concepts and technology operations to show mastery of material and help facilitate the learning environment. This environment is a prime example of the NETS•S, educational technology standards integrated into the curriculum that allow students to effectively learn and be successful in a digital world. The International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) recently updated these educational technology standards (referred to as the NETS) in order to reflect the rapid changes in technology and instruction (International Society for Technology in Education, 2010).
Today’s educators must provide a learning environment that takes students beyond the walls of their classrooms and into a world of endless opportunities. Technology standards promote this classroom transformation by ensuring that digital-age students are empowered to learn, live, and work successfully today and tomorrow (International Society for Technology in Education, 2010).
A recent report, “Up to the Challenge,” discusses the positive influence that critical thinking and problem-solving, collaboration, communication and creativity and innovation (4 C's) have on the preparation of CTE students to be college- and career-ready. The paper also highlights the importance of rigorous academics, 21st century skills and CTE strategies as important ways to bridge the gap between academic, employability and technical skills. (http://www.acteonline.org/content.aspx?id=15316).
In the typical Career and Technical Education (CTE) classroom at Middle Bucks Institute of Technology, students complete a highly rigorous technical sequence of courses over a three year period related to their chosen career pathway (Middle Bucks Institute of Technology, 2008). Students are provided with a balance of classroom theory instruction and the opportunity to enhance their technical skills in laboratory activities. Core academic standards in reading, writing, mathematics, science and technology are integrated and applied in ways that are meaningful to the students and relevant to their career paths, often referred to as blended learning.
A learning environment should be cultivated where students are excited to come to school and cannot wait for the next day. Through the use of effective classroom management and effective use of technology (i.e. social media, blogs, Podcasts and Web 2.0), students find purpose in their learning. They see the benefits of acquiring new information and transferring the knowledge into media that can be used to teach others. The students in the Multimedia Technology Program understand the importance of not only learning the material, but mastering it, and later sharing it to teach or inspire others. In the advanced levels of the program, students are required to create training Podcasts that relate to their specific area of occupational interest or educational public service announcements, which may include pictures, graphics, audio and/or video. These assignments are individualized to each student; however, each student recruits his or her peers to assist with the productions, based on their strengths and skills.
It is imperative that I meet the individual needs of the students through personal connections, develop tasks that lead to both content and technical mastery, and create respect for the students’ own unique circumstances. This is accomplished by creating a safe and respectful environment that provides a balance of theory, hands-on lab, and field-based assignments. By setting high standards for achievement and developing objective means of assessing learning, each student is challenged to recognize and define who they want to be. The students are encouraged to explore the limitless possibilities of their potential. By providing the students this freedom in a rigorous and authentic environment, the students are prepared for the challenges of the real world. The students are taught how to balance their strengths, weaknesses and other adversities to live a more productive and meaningful life. It is all about the optimum development of each individual student in a collaborative working environment.
