Tech Directions - May 2008 - (Page 2)

technically speaking Susanne Peckham susanne@techdirections.com One of the things I appreciate about the Web is the ability it affords to keep up with what’s happening at the local level around the country. News that will never have national coverage is now readily accessible through the local press in Peoria, Chattanooga, Santa Fe, and all points beyond. As the school/publishing year winds to a close, I wanted to share some coverage of our fields that I’ve seen recently while touring on the Internet Express. The Pioneer Press of St. Paul, MN, reports on lengthening waiting lists for CTE classes, noting that “the handson skills acquired in technical courses are qualities that resonate with a growing number of students.” The article quotes Betsy Brand, director of the Washington-based American Youth Policy Forum and former assistant secretary at the U.S. Department of Education, as saying that “technical education is experiencing a surge of reinterest.” She adds that CTE keeps kids engaged in school, noting that studies show that students enrolled in it often graduate at higher rates. The Seattle Times covers Washington’s efforts to strengthen CTE statewide. Gov. Christine Gregoire recently signed legislation calling for the first overhaul in 20 years of the state’s CTE program. The legislation includes $100 million to modernize and expand Washington’s network of secondary-level skill centers. The Times notes that “after more than a decade of emphasizing college readiness and higher academic standards, the state is responding to the cries of business and industry for skilled workers.” The Ft. Collins Coloradoan reports that Colorado education leaders and politicians alike say that schools must embrace STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) learning to stay competitive in the changing global economy. The governor’s office describes the emphasis on STEM as a major focus of its Colorado Promise, which aims to halve the state dropout rate and close the achievement gap. The Coloradoan describes, as an example, a course that teams students with teachers of geometry and construction to build a house. On the East Coast, the Worcester Telegram & Gazette points out that, as Massachusetts celebrates its 100th anniversary of publicly funded CTE, “taxpayers and employers have good reason to be optimistic” about the current state of the field. “Spurred by the challenges of a global economy and the higher standards demanded by education reform, the state’s vocational and technical high schools have put together a sustained effort that is positioning them at the cutting edge of public education.” Just a sampling of good news and good press to close the school year. And from all of us at Tech Directions: Have a great summer! A Prakken Publications Magazine Digital Tech Directions (ISSN 1940-3100) is published monthly, except June and July, by Prakken Publications, Inc., 832 Phoenix Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48108. Executive, editorial, and advertising offices are at PO Box 8623, Ann Arbor, MI 481078623, telephone 734-975-2800; fax 734-975-2787. Vol. 67, No. 10. Board of Directors Turalee A. Barlow George F. Kennedy Janice E. Knope Susanne Peckham Publisher George F. Kennedy Assistant Publisher & Business Mgr. Turalee A. Barlow, tbarlow@techdirections.com Managing Editor Susanne Peckham, susanne@techdirections.com Associate Editor Pam Moore, pam@techdirections.com Art, Design, and Production Manager Sharon K. Miller Advertising Sales Representatives Tonya L. White, 800-5309673 x209, tonya@techdirections.com Richard J. Alden, 603-899-3010, fax: 603-899-2343. rjalden@ techdirections.com David A. Yetman, 603-878-4705;dyetman@techdirections.com Subscription Dept. Vanessa Revelli, vanessa@ techdirections.com, 800-530-9673 x217 EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD Michael Fitzgerald, Technology Education Specialist, Office of Career and Technical Education, Indiana Dept. of Education, Indianapolis, IN Paul Koontz, President, Denford Inc., Medina, OH Ed Prevatt, School Specialist, National Center for Construction Education and Research, Gainesville, FL John Roccanova, Technology Education, Webutuck Central School, Amenia, NY Mark Schwendau, Technology Instructor, Kishwaukee College, Malta, IL Kendall N. Starkweater, Executive Director,International Technology Education Association, Reston, VA PEER REVIEW BOARD Gregory G. Belcher, Ph.D., Asst. Professor, Technical Teacher Education, Pittsburg State University, KS Daniel M. Claiborne, Ph.D., Chair, Department of Industrial and Engineering Technology, Murray State University, KY Sam Cotton, Ph.D., Asst. Professor, Ball State University, Muncie, IN Ronald F. Gonzales, Ph.D., ASE, Program Chair, Technology Teacher Education Professor, Brigham Young University, UT Clarke Homoly, Assoc. Professor, Dept. of Aviation, University of Central Missouri, Warrensburg Robert T. Howell, Ph.D., Asst. Professor, Technology Studies, Fort Hays State University, KS Robert D. Mordini, Ed.D., Asst. Professor, Technology Studies, Fort Hays State University, KS Richard Phillips, Ed.D., Division Chair, Technologies Division, Mountain Empire Community College, VA Joseph Scarcella, Ph.D., Professor of Education, California State University, San Bernadino Mark S. Schwendau, M.S., Technology Instructor, Kishwaukee College, Malta, IL Bert Siebold, Ph.D., Professor, Department of Industrial & Engineering Technology, Murray State University, KY Chris Zirkle, Ph.D., Asst. Professor, College of Education, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH Subscriptions: individuals: $30 per year; $55 two years; Canadian and foreign: add $10 per year. Canadian GST #R126213487. Single copies $3. Group rate for students in teacher-training institutions available upon request. Periodicals postage paid at Ann Arbor, MI, and additional mailing offices. Printed in U.S.A. POSTMASTER: Please send change of address information to Tech Directions, PO Box 8623, Ann Arbor, MI 48107-8623. Manuscripts should be addressed to: Editor, Tech Directions, PO Box 8623, Ann Arbor, MI 48107-8623. Manuscripts become property of Tech Directions upon letter of acceptance to author and signed copyright release form. Payment made on publication. Electronic copies of back issues available from ProQuest Information and Learning, www.il.proquest.com. Microform copies available from NAPC, www.napubco.com ©2008 by Prakken Publications, Inc. 2 techdirections ◆ MAY 2008 http://www.techdirections.com http://www.il.proquest.com http://www.napubco.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Tech Directions - May 2008

Tech Directions - May 2008 Contents Technically Speaking Direct from Washington The News Report Mastering Computers Technology's Past Technology Today Road to Success - Service Learning Enhances Tech Ed Experience Balsa Tower Walls Brave 'Big Buster' These Kids Are Really on the Ball - Inventors Competition Winners School Web Site of the Month Animator Career Exploration Tools Guide Index to Volume 67 More than Fun

Tech Directions - May 2008

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