Tech Directions - April 2008 - (Page 6)

to provide information that is valuable to improve programs. The third area of emphasis of the center’s research will be on the options for transitions of CTE students—to the workplace, to certification programs, or to twoand four-year degree programs. CTE educators have “Educators focus on the three levers to help students physics behind welding, but make transitions, according to Stone, including classbusiness people want room instruction, worksomeone who can weld based learning, and student without mistakes. These are organizations. Actually, he different expectations.” added, these are leverages teachers can use across all of the center’s priorities— engagement and achievement as A big issue for CTE educators and well as transition. researchers is the lack of standards The work at the University of in the occupations, unlike in EuroLouisville is being organized differpean countries where business and ently, Stone said. Rather than hire a education collaborate on standards. large bevy of researchers and other Without specific industry certificastaff “who tend to drift away toward tions, educators must prepare stuthe end of a grant,” the center has dents for credentials that are of brought in partners with existing value both to the labor market and capacity to take on various tasks. to higher education. Another purACT is responsible for disseminapose of skill standards, Stone said, is people think at the top. Consequently, “educators focus on the physics behind welding, but business people want someone who can weld without mistakes. These are different expectations.” tion, the Agency for Educational Development (AED) is providing technical assistance, and the Southern Regional Education Board (SREB) will provide professional development. Look for webcasts and podcasts from ACT, Stone said. Also, the Iowabased group will be promoting best and promising practices. “Teachers are solving problems on a daily basis, but nobody knows about them,” he pointed out. ACT will highlight them on a Web site and invite people to test them and provide feedback. AED, a partner in the previous center, is adopting the model of the National Governors Association for its academies, putting together state leaders where problems seem to have been solved successfully with those looking for solutions. Its first academy, for state directors of CTE, will focus on gender equity. Meanwhile, SREB is designing a study to test a model of induction of alternatively certified CTE teachers. Other institutions that are part- 6 techdirections ◆ APRIL 2008 http://www.tools4schools.com http://www.elexp.com http://www.elexp.com http://www.tools4schools.com http://www.elexp.com

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Tech Directions - April 2008 Technically Speaking Contents Direct from Washington The News Report Technology's Past Technology Today Mastering Computers A Bridge to the Future Aeronautics Study Takes Off! Glider Design for Beginners Project Engineer in the Heavy Construction Industry for Renewable Energy Annual Buyers' Guide More than Fun

Tech Directions - April 2008

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