Home-Based Professional Development for Teachers
Greenville, NC – Agencies offering professional development programs for teachers have experienced a dramatic drop in applications for summer workshops throughout North Carolina this year. In response to high gasoline prices that plague drive-in programs, the Center for Science, Mathematics, and Technology Education (CSMTE) at East Carolina University is responding with a PLAN B approach to provide services for K-12 teachers through independent study and online programs.
Teachers living anywhere in North Carolina may apply to participate in the following four programs:
- Reading and Thinking about Science. Participants will choose a book from an extensive list. The book will be mailed along with detailed instructions for completing assignments that include a report, a lesson plan, and an implementation project. (Registration fee $30; 3.0 CEUs, including reading credit)
- Earth-Caching: North Carolina’s Wild Places. Participants will choose from a list of state parks and other interesting North Carolina natural sites and complete a geo-caching assignment for the site using GPS. Instruments are available for loan from the Center for this project. Participants need access to a digital camera as well. Assignments include a report, a lesson plan, and an implementation project. (Registration fee $30; 3.0 CEUs, including technology credit)
- Lights, Camera, Action! Teachers will learn to use Microsoft Producer (free download) to create a video project appropriate for use in the classroom. Teachers need access to a digital camera. A tutorial and sample video will be provided electronically. (Registration fee $30; 3.0 CEUs, including technology credit)
- Online Science Modules: Promoting Standards in Science and Mathematics. These online modules are directly related to content objectives in the NC Standard Course of Study for Science. There are four modules in each of the following areas: K-2 Science, 3-5 Science, 6th Grade Science, 7th Grade Science, 8th Grade Science, Earth/Environmental Science, Physical Science, Biology, and Chemistry. (Registration fee $40 per module; 1.2 CEUs per module—four modules per course)
In addition to receiving materials needed to complete the assignments, each participant will also receive a CSMTE tote bag, pen, notebook, and flash drive. Details about each program and application forms may be found on the CSMTE website: http://www.ecu.edu/educ/csmte/. For more information, contact Dr. Karen Dawkins, Director.