Delaware Technical & Community College, DE
Teacher education in mathematics, science and technology in the classroom and online
Delaware Technical and Community College has established an education major that prepares and graduates students with either an ECE major or a zero to K option (a degree which transfers all credits and junior standing to either the University of Delaware or Wilmington College, our two major transfer schools). There also exists a new AAS math major degree that is accepted at both four-year schools (for students planning to teach mathematics at either the junior or senior high school level).
Curriculum in education: Pursuant to these degrees, two courses (4 semester credits each) have been created to meet transfer schools' math prerequisites, state standards required for certification, and NCTM standard guidelines for proper preparation of preservice elementary education students in mathematics. Math for Elementary Education Teachers I (MAT 201) and II (MAT 202) are currently offered at the four DTCC campus sites and have a combined current annual enrollment of approximately 300 students/year. A biology course (BIO 110) is offered with a section reserved for elementary education majors and has been tailored to these students' needs. A perceived need for additional math and science training was articulated by four year area colleges and the DE State Legislature and consequently MAT 203, Math for Teachers III and Physics for Teachers (PHYS 111) are being written. These also are hands-on courses that will meet state and national standards and are projected to be offered for the first time in the spring of 2004.
Online courses and technology training: Both MAT 201 and 202 are offered as a part of the college's extensive online program, which offers 226 courses (in all subject areas including non-credit). The college has responded to the Legislature's wish that Delaware teachers are trained and proficient incorporating technology in their classrooms. A program of Educational Technology Certification has been designed and is available to each public school teacher in the state. Beginning with the basic constructs of a computer and continuing through website design and modification of existing programs, this series of classes meets the need for technological training of teachers within the state system These courses are offered as lecture classes or online. They are eligible for full reimbursement for K-12 faculty and these courses are also available at no charge to DTCC staff and faculty.
Community outreach, recruitment and retention: DTCC in an effort to recruit students into teacher preparation programs, offers the following:
- ECE evening seminars in math and science for daycare providers, free to nonprofits.
- Recruitment visits at state high schools and at high schools in bordering states.
- Blackboard websites for courses offered and free email service for students.
- College night at a variety of schools and business sites and CC night at the college.
- Company education fairs for companies who are downsizing in our state.
- Inservice courses from basic to web design for state teachers at all levels.
- Extensive financial aid packages, including CSEMS grants for those majoring in math or sciences (or related technological fields).
- A career center, assessment, and career placement testing.
The classes in math and science designed for preservice teachers were chosen for an Exemplary Program Award, awarded by NSF and AMATYC in 1998. Mentors have won DE State's Excellence in Teaching award.
Mentors
Ruth Collins, Professor of Mathematics, and Valerie Bergeron, Instructor, Chemistry, with Harry L. Shipman, Professor of Physics and Astronomy, University of Delaware, as resource person..
For more information, contact Wendy Taylor, 601.984.3545.
