Collaborative Training Environment

Collaborative Training Environment -- Working in CTE.

As we continue to improve the collaboration among faculty and staff it is imperative that we have open dialogue. One factor that is always in need of consideration is the time and location of meetings. With this restriction, I have elected to use more interactive and distance platforms to correct and navigate though this issue. We in Career & Technical Education will begin using more applied applications within Google Docs. Yes, we will each begin to post in threaded discussions as well as document sharing. A conversation that I held with my Superintendent - Dr. Jacqueline A. Brooks, EdD expressed the need to further develop and enhance this capability in our district. From that conversation this outcome will manifest.

When I look at the resourcefulness of begin able to share documents at once and then to collectively modify those documents for the better use of the organization, is challenges me personally to provide better leadership and instruction to my students and staff. Equally, it will be used as a teaching and learning tool within the instructional settings for career and technical education. Teachers will be now be able to provide instruction to students using this FREE platform. Yes, the same can be done with other (CMS) Course Management Systems such as Blackboard; however this requires enrollment in a course and/or college or university. By using Google Docs to develop these communication mediums you limit the restraints for meeting times and locations. Staff, parents, students, and stakeholders may be given access to view and/or share documents and other prudent information to your learning environment.

On this coming week, I plan to share my plans for technical education in the Macon County Public School System with the entire district. The need to openly communicate will no longer be an issue. The ability to share procedures, manuals, course descriptions, etc will be a reality. Staff will be encouraged with use their NEW Apple Notebooks to learn collectively with other staff  members and the students with our learning community. We will use these technology resources to improve the collaborative training environment in rural America.

Resources:

Moller, L., Foshay, W., & Huett, J. (2008). The evolution of distance education: Implications for instructional design on the potential of the web (Part 2: Higher education). TechTrends, 52(4), 66-70.

Posted by:
Melvin Alonza Lowe, III, EdD
Educational Director -
Career & Technical Education /
Workforce Development

Post Doctoral Student -
Walden University

Distance Education in Rural America's Learning Evolution.

Distance Education in Rural America's Learning Evolution.

As we approach teaching and learning within the Macon County Public School System, we also face new platforms and mediums of learning. Most recently this school system was afforded a award; the Apple Connect Ed Grant. This piece of technology will greatly impact the teaching and learning outcomes, recruitment of teachers, and it will benefit local and distance industry who seek to employ our graduates. The overall instructional improvement benefits from this grant are unimaginable and invaluable.

The two secondary schools in this district and one elementary school of whom are recipients are: Notasulga High School, Booker T. Washington High School, and Tuskegee Public Elementary School. The Career & Technical Education Center that serves both high school populations has been included in the grant. Due to the limited resources in this district I see the greater need for such a grant of this magnitude. Career & Technical Education has advanced greatly within the past 10 years specifically in the area of technology. This grant will not only advance existing programs but will be an incubator for new programs. Over the yeas there has been a need to redirect vocational education to technical education which is providing more STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) concepts in the curriculum.

Moving forward, I see the extended services of distance education in technical education. At present we are developing a course that is a technical education course which will be delivered via a distance education platform. We are considering a hybrid approach towards meeting the needs of the students. Yes, this concept is new but it is needed. My views have transitioned greatly on distance education in P-12 settings. As I look at the need to expose students to curricula, I see that need being met with this innovation. When I work with parents who need resources that are miles away, I see the need becoming a reality. When I witness industry that will never see inside of rural America, I now see the possibility of a clearer view of the environment being seen and understood through new lenses.

Before I began this course and program, my awareness of distance education was not as influenced as it has become. I see where students can learn both ability and disability groups. I see where teachers can resource and research information having limited opportunities available to them. I also see the impact that educational leadership has on teaching and learning from the benefits of distance education and the new connections to resources. The connection that can be made from distance education both in and out of the classroom is yet be defined.

On last week, I had the opportunity to work with a group of students in our dual enrollment program. These students were sharing with me their plans to credential in the area of Automotive Services. Well, the credentialing process is different for each program which caused me to wonder how will you do this during the summer. For this program the credential assessment is online. This is a facet of distance education in that a password, log-in identification, internet assess, and an awareness of technology is needed. I was impressed at their readiness as high school students to sit for this assessment. They understood that it would be a timed assessment and that their teacher would not be able to assist them during the exam. Again, I was impressed. The students have embraced global concepts of distance education which will allow them college and career success.

As I close, I support distance education in public education at all levels. Students can learn when their needs are met. This is often said but many times mis-understood and not put in place. The outcomes of the students are yet to be determined which is the reason as education that we must embrace change. However, with exposure coupled with professional planning all students rather in an affluent or non affluent community, they can learn using distance education as a vehicle for success.

Resource:

Tracey, M., & Richey, R. (2005). The evolution of distance education. Distance Learning, 2(6), 17–21.

Posted by:
Melvin Alonza Lowe, III, EdD
Educational Director -
Career & Technical Education
lowema@maconk12.org
lowemelvin724@gmail.com

Advancing Career & Technical Education in Rural America

Advancing Career & Technical Education in Rural America -
Macon County Public Schools.

The academic year 2015/2016 is approaching fast. I along with my Superintendent recently attending the SSA- School Superintendents Association of Alabama's Summer Conference 2015 in Point Clear, Alabama. There were many informative topics discussed. One that caught my attention was the implication towards the advancements in Career & Technical Education. The accountability that is being placed on CTE programs in Alabama is growing. We are being tasked with the responsibility of providing a greater return on investment in terms of providing the workforce with both College and Career Ready Student Graduates.

I am very pleased with our outcomes in Macon County; however I have raised the bar with my staff. We will increase the number of student credentialed by 10% in all eight of our program clusters. This will be done by offering more professional development for staff. It will also be done by making program transitions to increase the number of graduates in high demand areas to include: Health Sciences and Technology. Lastly, we will improve the transitional services for special service students. These goals are in front of us and not behind us. I plan to address each one with the entire CTE staff prior to the opening of school in August 2015. Continue to look for news and information regarding program improvement practices for the Career & Technical Education Programs in Macon County.

Posted by:
Dr. Melvin Alonza Lowe, III, EdD
Educational Director -
Career & Technical Education /
Workforce Development
lowema@maconk12.org
lowemelvin724@gmail.com