About this course

STEM Education is an integrated, interdisciplinary, student-centered approach to learning that encourages curiosity, creativity, artistic expression, collaboration, communication, problem solving, critical thinking, and design thinking.

This course, STEM Education for the 21st Century, is intended as an 8-week online course for K12 preservice and practicing teachers into the practical aspects of creating a teaching unit which integrates science, technology, engineering, and math(STEM) through project-based learning. Project-based learning, in which students pose and seek to answer a Driving Question addressing a real-world need, has been shown to dramatically increase student motivation and long-term retention.

For more on PBL, see Teacher Questions on PBL, at https://blossoms.mit.edu/teacher_questions_pbl_0.

Course Rationale:

• • • • Students and their teachers learn by doing- the intent here is to help you both experience what your students experience, and learn to guide the process

      • Students need to take ownership of their learning. The beginning of this is having students articulate the real-world problem they are try to solve- the Driving Question- through empathy with the end user.

      • Students need to learn new skills independently, through online tutorials.

      • The role of the teacher is to motivate, guide and facilitate the creative process.

      • To become problem solvers, students need to repeatedly experience the process of brainstorming, coming up with ideas, picking the best one, building, testing, critiquing, and redesign.

How to be successful in this course

• Readings and Videos: Complete readings and videos early in each week, with handwritten notes recommended. This allows you time to think about the materials, and ask questions as needed.

• Discussion Forum: Write a detailed response to each week's discussion question, and respond to at least two other students' posts. Staying within the general topic for the week, students may post in response to a question of their own. Once students are familiar with the online format, all discussion threads will be open. You will have until Wednesday to write your original thread and then Saturday to respond to other students (minimum of two thoughtful, grammatically correct responses). You may want to subscribe to the discussion threads so you don't miss post.

• Curriculum Planning Assignment Part 'A':Each week there will also be a curriculum planning assignment related to that week's topic, which will become part of the Unit Plan submitted in Week 7. Both assignments should be completed by week's end, submitted on Blackboard and post for comments and suggestions on each student's Google Classroom .

• Workshop/Technology Assignments Part 'B': Each week there is a 'hands on' workshop-type assignment utilizing a technology or experience of the type they will be asking their students to do.

• Google Classroom: Students will each create a Google Classroom for their unit, containing assignments and related instructions and tutorials. Enroll as students in at least three(3) other students' Google Classroom courses. Students will need to have a personal Gmail account to utilize Classroom.

• Unit Plan: Complete the Unit Plan by Week 7. The unit plan will be submitted as a document via Blackboard. However, the assignments( readings, tutorials, and deliverables) that elementary students would work on will be posted to Classroom.

See also Tips on Successful Online Learning from EdX

Discussion Forum Etiquette

The discussion forum is a unique opportunity to engage with learners from many places. In order for us to take advantage of this wealth of knowledge and viewpoints, please consider the following when you post:

• The best posts are constructive, thoughtful and respectful.

• Posts should be limited to 200 words.

• Participate. You will get out what you put in, so be active.

• Create one new thread for each forum, and respond to at least two other students' posts.

• If you agree or disagree with a post, respond using evidence and reasoning obtained from this course, personal experience, or reputable sources. Feel free to add links to videos you found constructive.

• Use your own words. If you include a quote or reference, when possible also provide a citation.

• Please avoid slang terms these whenever possible.