Online Learning to Improve STEM

LearningBarbara Treacy

North Carolina New Schools Project Forum

February 21, 2012

Key ideas Online professional development and connected learning can improve STEM education

Online learning community models foster reflection and inquiry based approaches

Empowering teachers to create online content strengthens teaching and project-based approaches

Technology and online learning enable innovative STEM programs to scale across networks

Becki’s Disconnected Science ClassroomQ: Why are there

four“extra” minutes in a day?

Denise’s Connected Science ClassroomQ: What lives in ponds?

National EdTech Plan

“Technology can help us build the capacity of educators by enabling a shift to a model of connected teaching. The best way to prepare teachers for connected teaching is to have them experience it.”-National Educational Technology Plan, USED (2010)

Preparing for the Class of 2027

“The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn, and relearn.” -Alvin Toffler (1990)

“Effective professional development is:

intensive, ongoing, and connected to practice; focuses on the teaching and learning of specific academic content; is connected to other school initiatives; and builds strong working relationship among teachers.” – Linda Darling-Hammond (2009)

Ex.1: E-Learning for Educators Funded 2005 by USED to build 10 state-level online PD programs

EDC provided facilitator training, developer training, online courses

25,000+ teachers completed courses Content sharing across states Learning Community model central to design

Large-scale experimental research showed significant impact of online PD in math/ELA on teachers & students

Each state program aligned to local goals

Online Learning Community Model: Reflective and Inquiry-Based

Session Topics: Functions Course

State Program Example: DE State Science Course “Delaware Watersheds”

Created by local Delaware educators to provide convenient, high quality professional development for 7th grade teachers assigned to teach Delaware Watersheds, an integrated Earth Science course taught in member districts of the Delaware Science Coalition  

Teachers experience the learning activities, discuss content & share tips on teaching methods while implementing in their classrooms

Ex. 2: Student Online STEM Courses Created by Multi-

District Consortium Teachers

Class Discussion

Online learning can: improve STEM education via project-based online courses focused on content and pedagogy

accelerate focus on deeper learning, reflection and inquiry approaches via learning community models

change practice by empowering STEM teachers to share and create content

enable teachers to be co-learners with their students

enable scalable models across districts and beyond

“If we want our students to succeed in a global environment, then we, as educators, must be engaged in 21st century content, context, tools, thinking skills, and assessment.

Thanks to online learning I am a 21st century

life-long learner!” -JoAnn Nuzum, WV online facilitator and developer

The power of connected teaching

Thank you!

Barbara TreacyBtreacy@edc.org

EdTech Leaders Onlinehttp://edtechleaders.org

Education Development Centerhttp://edc.org