Program: Robotics Engineering. Section 1: Overview

Transcription

1 Program: Robotics Engineering Section 1: Overview School Year Major Events Action Plan approval Primary Impacts (not students) 2010 Summer Develop course description, instructional goals, scope, sequence, course length, and method of instruction. Identify instructional resources and materials necessary to build a robust selfcontained engineering course using robotics as a vehicle for instruction. HQ Coordinator, Teachers previously teaching Engineering, Design and Technology I and II Pilot the course in volunteered high schools collecting feedback while making improvements to course scope and content. Evaluate the effectiveness of the course for adoption If adopted, include the Robotics Engineering course as an approved offering. Make the course and materials available to other schools using the pilot schools as mentors. Develop a formal electronic community for teachers to share student work/best practices Continue to monitor student achievement, program effectiveness, and teacher satisfaction. Make continuous improvement using shared best practices as the model. Implement formal electronic community for teachers to share student work/best practices Continue to monitor student achievement, program effectiveness, enrollment, and teacher satisfaction. Make continuous improvement using shared best practices as the model. Evaluate formal electronic community for teachers to share student work/best practices. HQ Coordinator, Teachers selected to pilot the course. (No training necessary) HQ Coordinator, Successful teachers in pilot programs and teachers in new or developing programs. HQ Coordinator, Teachers of Robotics Engineering HQ Coordinator, Teachers of Robotics Engineering

2 Continue to monitor student achievement, program effectiveness, and teacher satisfaction. Make continuous improvement using shared best practices as the model. Implement any changes to the formal electronic sharing program Review the Robotics Engineering course regarding all indicators measuring success and sustainability. Reevaluate the relevancy curriculum content, instructional delivery, and equipment requirements. Make improvements as necessary to all aspects of the program. HQ Coordinator, Teachers of Robotics Engineering HQ Coordinator, Teachers of Robotics Engineering and members of the PTS Task Force.

3 Section 2: Yearly Overview/Timelines School Year: Major Event Action Timeline Expected results Primary Course description, scope, and sequence May 2010 HQ Coordinator Task Group Materials Review Pilot School Selection Task group meets (online) to develop course description, scope and sequence for the Robotics Engineering Course. Align the course with the appropriate career cluster and pathway. Task group meets to review and select instructional resources to deliver course content. From applications, select volunteered high schools to pilot the course design, content and delivery. This group will review develop, and implement suggestions for May 2010 May 2010 To May 2011 Description of course objectives, scope and sequence identifying the desired method of instruction and proper placement with the career cluster and pathway. Economically feasible solution to delivering the high interest and hands on instruction of Robotics Engineering course. Recommendations for improvements to content and better strategies for instruction applied to improvement of course design and teacher training. HQ coordinator, PD team, IT team, area ISS, Task Group HQ coordinator, Pilot Instructors, IT team, area ISS

4 Teacher Training Full Implementation Continuous Review course improvement. This course will use resources designed to make the course completely self contained. Add the Robotics Engineering course in the DoDEA Course Offerings Catalog. Make the course available to schools as a replacement for the Engineering, Design, & Technology course. Fund the purchase of necessary courseware to startup and maintain new offerings. Establish annual review and continuous improvement of course content and delivery. May 2011 Start May 2012 End May 2017 There will be no formal training requirement for this course. Teacher training will be contained in the course materials. Pilot instructors will be mentors for new programs. Interested schools will add the Robotics Engineering course to their local course catalogs and implement the course The Robotics Engineering course will remain current and relevant throughout the entire implementation. HQ coordinator, Pilot Instructors, New Robotics Engineering Instructors, IT team, area ISS HQ coordinator, IT team, Area ISS, District Superintendents, School Principles, Robotics Engineering Instructors Area ISS and Robotics Engineering Instructors

5 Major Event Action Timeline Expected results Primary Develop Develop a formal electronic community for teachers to share student work/best practices. Implement Evaluate Implement Changes Evaluate, continue cycle Implement the electronic community. Evaluate the electronic community. Implement changes to the electronic community A formal electronic community will be developed so teachers will have an effective and easy way to share student work and best practices The program will be relevant and useful so teachers will use the program Feedback will be beneficial in improving the program The changes are well received and all teachers welcome the changes. Continue the cycle The program works efficiently and effectively. HQ and Area ISS, and teachers group HQ and Area ISS and all relevant teachers. HQ and Area ISS and all relevant teachers. HQ and Area ISS and all relevant teachers. HQ and Area ISS and all relevant teachers.

6 DoDEA ACTION PLAN: PTS, Robotics Engineering Goal: As part of the phase out of the Lab Volt Tech World courseware, replace the course with an economically feasible, high interest, rigorous, and relevant year long course in Robotics Engineering. Strategy/Intervention* Impact on Student Achievement Data used to assess or measure effectiveness Timeframe Begin End People Responsible Develop and implement an engineering course using robotics as vehicle for teaching the integration of computer programming, electronic circuitry, and mechanical design using differentiated instruction. Greater interest and understanding of engineering concepts and application. Improved learning of associated math and physics through the practical application of engineering. Increased enrollment in STEM related courses associated with the Robotics Engineering course. Improved student performance in STEM and acceptable instructor satisfaction. SY10/11 SY11/12 HQ Coordinator with STEM teachers 1. How does this strategy/intervention align with the DoDEA Community Strategic Plan (CSP)? Highest student achievement, opportunities to excel, and 21 st century skills: Goals 1 2. What research supports this strategy/ intervention? 3. How will HQ, area, district, school, students, and community be involved? U.S. Bureau of Labor statistics reflect significant increase in employment opportunities in STEM related occupations. Brandeis University Impact Evaluation 2005, funded by the Ford Foundation has found that students that participate in Robotics Engineering programs are significantly more successful in pursuing STEM initiatives. HQ and Area ISS will be involved in communicating why this course of student is relevant. Instructors will review developed course competencies for Robotics Engineering and apply instructional resources to develop and share curriculum. Teachers will be involved in an electronic teacher community where they

7 can share student work and best practices. 4. How will you communicate or publicize the plan to achieve the identified goal? 5. How will you evaluate progress on a regular basis (team and individual)? 6. How will you use the on going evaluation results to adjust and maintain progress in order to reach the identified goal? 7. What resources are needed, i.e., materials, supplies, staff development training? 8. How will you celebrate the successful completion of this strategy/ intervention? Star & Stripes, news spots, Weekly Packet, PTS Newsletter, Teacher to teacher communication, DoDEA Chat Room, Stress the importance of students learning engineering skills. Formative assessment of student progress and content coverage by instructors. Periodic feedback and required sharing of best practices throughout the course pilot. Annual evaluation of content and instructional strategies based upon differentiated instruction, implementation of best practices, and project based learning. Enrollment of Robotics Engineering will be evaluated annually. Teachers and principals will be surveyed evaluating the success of Robotics Engineering students. During the pilot of the Robotics Engineering course, recommendations regarding the content and improved instructional strategies will be applied to course design and teacher training materials. Upon full implementation, instructors that piloted the course will act as mentors for startup classes. Instructional trainers will have to be purchased along with instructional software. Additional instructional resources are readily and freely available via the internet. Additional resources will be developed by instructors and students. Staff development will be contained within the curriculum itself. Trainers and software for an implementation is approximately $3,500 per school program. Publicity covering the success of each program. Establishment of regional competitions to foster the growth of engineering prowess. *Each goal may require several separate Plan of Action sheets with one strategy or intervention noted per sheet.

8 WORKING ON BELOW INFORMATION> Plan 1. Describe the program or initiative. As part of the phase out of the Lab Volt Tech World courseware, replace the course with an economically feasible, high interest, rigorous, and relevant year long course in Robotics Engineering. a. Why was it initiated or why was it a focus? Although the basic engineering skills taught in the Lab Volt Tech Work courseware continue to be valid. The cost required to upgrade the equipment and curriculum is not sustainable. Our proposed Robotics Engineering course will provide greater student interest and understanding of engineering concepts and application while providing a cost effective solution to teaching engineering. Improved student learning regarding associated math and physics through the practical application of engineering content is the focus of this curriculum. 2. End Goal set at the beginning Develop and implement an engineering course using robotics as vehicle for teaching the integration of computer programming, electronic circuitry, and mechanical design using differentiated instruction. 3. Resources: a. What is the (was the) target funding of the program? $3,500 per program b. Where was the funding (including FTEs) coming from? DoDEA POM? No i. Training (could include teacher/administrator training): Yes to include Area Supt CIA, District Supt, and principals ii. Professional development days: Five (5) days in summer plus 0.5 day per semester virtually for materials review and course development. iii. Other necessary human or financial resources: Unknown 4. Objectives/strategies a. Milestones/benchmarks: Pilot and Then Full Implementation b. HQ, area, district, and school obligations: funding, personnel support, site visits, PD days, materials c. Special needs integration including gifted, ESL, AVID, etc.): Differentiated Instruction

9 d. 21 st Century Skills Integration (including technology integration): Yes 5. Data collection a. Demographic: All b. Student achievement data: c. Teachers (certificate and # of FTE): current Technology teacher certification d. Surveys: Yes Input from community, students, teachers, and all leaders in curriculum and career interest survey e. Anecdotal: Yes research projects, employment, pursuing engineering degree, ASVAB aptitude scores, internship, increased student interest in engineering capstone course(s). f. Other (quantitative and qualitative) 6. Develop or select assessment techniques a. Standardized tests Included with courseware b. In house constructed tests Formative Project Based Assessments c. Existing test bank items Included with courseware Implementation 1. Analysis of data and implications: U.S. Bureau of Labor statistics reflect significant increase in employment opportunities in STEM related occupations. Brandeis University Impact Evaluation 2005, funded by the Ford Foundation has found that students that participate in Robotics Engineering programs are significantly more successful in pursuing STEM initiatives. 2. Benefits and drawbacks of implementations a. Review of objectives and strategies: Objectives and strategies are well established within the instructional community. Course content, equipment, and associated resources are tried and tested with extremely positive results through U.S. school systems. There is a wealth of materials available to instructors teaching this course. b. Obligations of other stakeholders: Pilot programs will assist in developing curriculum and improving content. They will mentor other schools as the program is rolled out for full implementation. 3. Costs a. Training b. PD days 5 days on site day per semester (virtual) c. FTE No additional FTE positions required.

10 d. Materials and resources $3,500 per school program e. Annually recurring costs $200 per school program 4. Accountability a. Alignment with standards and CSP CSP 1.3,4 b. Measureable goals Assessments are included with curriculum in a self contained course. Enrollment data is also available. 5. Timelines a. Milestones/indicators for achievement Listed above. b. Scheduled Listed above c. Planned Yes 6. Involvement of stakeholders a. Association representatives, area experts, district and school personnel, students, parents, and community/commands b. Marketing plan Local school, community, district, area, and system wide marketing plans must be developed and are to be included in the self contained course.

11 Evaluation 1. Achievement of objectives or milestones During the pilot of the Robotics Engineering course, recommendations regarding the content and improved instructional strategies will be applied to course design and teacher training materials. Upon full implementation, instructors that piloted the course will act as mentors for startup classes. Will you evaluate progress on a regular basis? By quarter during the pilot and then annually after that point. 2. Human and financial management Pilot schools will be selected by HQ and DoDEA will fund the implementation. 3. Fidelity of implementation The Pilot will help insure all necessary resources are considered and included before roll out. 4. Student achievement results (per year and trends) Assessments will be delivered by courseware and monitored by instructors. 5. Analysis of end goals Successful implementation will be the replacement of the Lab Volt Tech World courseware with an economically feasible, high interest, rigorous, and relevant year long course in Robotics Engineering teaching the integration of computer programming, electronic circuitry, and mechanical design using differentiated instruction. 6. Achieving Community Strategic Plan (CSP) targets CSP goals #1, 3, 4 7. Sustainability This course is a low cost solution to maintaining interested in pursuing STEM courses. Replacement components and parts are not specialized and are widely available from a variety of sources. There is a variety of courseware that is widely used throughout many school districts in the United States proven to be relevant and easy to support. The cost of available software is no or low cost.

12 Adjustments/Eliminations During the pilot of course, recommendations regarding the content and improved instructional strategies will be applied to course design and teacher training materials. Upon full implementation, instructors that piloted the course will act as mentors for startup classes. Formative assessment of student progress and content coverage by instructors. Periodic feedback and required sharing of best practices throughout the course pilot. Annual evaluation of content and instructional strategies based upon differentiated instruction, implementation of best practices, and project based learning. Enrollment will be evaluated annually. Teachers and principals will be surveyed evaluating the success and achievement of students.