Shaffer Receives Grant to Support Work with Special needs Children and Families

LaShorage Shaffer, SOE Instructor in the area of Early Childhood Education, has received a 2012 Early On Faculty Grant Award from the Clinton County (MI) Regional Educational Services Agency to support her efforts to enhance the skills of educators in early intervention with the families of young children with special needs. Her proposal was the only one selected for funding during this cycle. The project supported by this award will be conducted during the fall semester.

The Early On® Center for Higher Education, a project of Clinton County RESA, is Michigan’s pre-service initiative to support the development of highly qualified early intervention personnel to work with infants and toddlers, birth to three with disabilities and/or special needs, and their families.

The Early On Center supports faculty and other professional development providers to strengthen learning experiences for 2-year and 4-year college students so they are knowledgeable of Early On Michigan and competent in their future work with families of infants and toddlers.

Please join me in congratulating LaShorage in obtaining extramural support for her research interests!

SOE Student Wins Prestigious Miriam Schaefer Scholarship

At the recent 62nd Annual Michigan Council of Teachers of Mathematics (MCTM) State Conference held in Traverse City, the MCTM Scholarship Committee announced the winners of the 2012 Miriam Schaefer Scholarships. MCTM is committed to promoting and encouraging capable students to join the mathematics teaching profession. Since 1989, MCTM has awarded Over this period of time 127 scholarships have been awarded to students from over 24 universities and colleges across Michigan totaling $153,000.

These are highly competitive awards given to college seniors and juniors who are enrolled in a teacher preparation program in the state, who have mathematics as a primary teaching interest, and who have a record of academic excellence and commitment to the profession of teaching. This year three scholarships were awarded, and one of the winners is Emily Bianchi who attends the University of Michigan at Dearborn.

Emily is a graduate of Lake Shore High School, St. Clair Shores, and is currently a senior at UM-Dearborn in the School of Education. She is pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree in Education, with concentration in Mathematics and Language Arts.

Please join me in congratulating Emily on being selected for this honor from among a large number of worthy nominees!

SOE Faculty Featured at Maker Faire Detroit

Professor Richard Moyer and Associate Professor Susan Everett, co-authors of Everyday Engineering: Putting the E in STEM Teaching and Learning, were featured at Maker Faire Detroit event at the Henry Ford in Dearborn on July 28-29, 2012.

In response to the popularity and demand for their book, which is one of the most popular books published by the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA), they will be holding a two-day book-signing session at the event, which attracts individuals interested in design, technology and invention.

Please join me in thanking Professors Moyer and Everett for their outstanding contribution to STEM education in the region and in the nation.

The UM-Dearborn Reporter published a related story and photo.

Otlewski Recognized for Service to UM-Dearborn

At the Chancellor's Staff Recognition Event held on Friday, July 20, 2012, Joann Otlewski, SOE Certification Officer and leader of the Student Services Office, was recognized for 15 years of dedicated service to UM-Dearborn.

Please join me in congratulating Joann and thanking her for her efforts on behalf of the School of Education community.

NRC Report from Committee That Included SOE Dean

Education for Life and Work: Developing Transferable Knowledge and Skills in the 21st Century, a new report from the National Research Council (NRC) summarizes scholarly evidence that problem solving, critical thinking, communication and self-discipline can be taught and learned in ways that benefit students both in the classroom and in their future lives.

Edward Silver, dean of the School of Education, served on the Committee on Defining Deeper Learning and 21st Century Skills, which conducted the analysis of existing research.

The report uses scholarly research to address a topic of practical importance to students, educators and employers. It affirms the importance of “deeper learning,” the process of taking what is learned in one subject area or situation and learning how and when to apply that knowledge in other areas.

The NRC study was undertaken to define the proficiency that has become popularly known as “21st century skills.” According to the report, those skills encompass three dimensions: cognitive, which involves thinking and reasoning; intrapersonal, which involves managing behavior and emotions; and interpersonal, which involves expressing ideas and communicating those ideas to others.

The UM-Dearborn Reporter story has more details.

New MA in Educational Technology

Technology is playing an ever-increasing role in our lives as demands grow for responsible digital citizenship in all spheres of human activity, including the myriad varieties of formal and informal educational environments. Within conventional K-12 settings, increasingly “tech savvy” students enter our educational institutions and expect that their teachers will use technology effectively to support their learning. Adult learners have similar expectations as they enroll in courses at post-secondary institutions, engage in work-related training or participate in web-based professional development. Now more than ever before educators, instructors and trainers need to become proficient with a broad range of technologies and capable of designing technology-enhanced learning activities. This includes moving beyond traditional educational settings and facilitating learning in free-choice, digital environments.

To help meet burgeoning demands in this territory, the UM-Dearborn School of Education has launched a new Master of Arts in Educational Technology program. The MA in Ed Tech program is designed for educators interested in developing expertise in the effective use of various forms of educational technology in teaching and learning. This program is designed not only to meet the needs of educators affiliated with K-12 education but also to develop the knowledge, skills, and competencies of those who design and implement technology-enhanced educational opportunities outside traditional school settings.

Courses in this degree program focus on core digital competencies, effective instructional design, challenges in the design and delivery of online and hybrid forms of instruction, and the use of technological resources to enhance face-to-face instruction. In addition to earning the Master’s degree, current K-12 teachers can qualify for an NP Endorsement from the Michigan Department of Education.

Courses are offered online and throughout the year making it possible to accommodate a variety of schedules. If you are interested in learning more about this new program please see the SOE website for details.

SOE Doctoral Student Chosen to Receive Korea Society Fellowship

Monica M. Eraqi, a student in the UM-Dearborn SOE doctoral program and National Board Certified Teacher of Social Studies at Dakota High School in Macomb Township, has been selected to receive a 2012 Summer Fellowship in Korean Studies from the Korea Society. 

 This competitive program is specifically designed for American social studies education professionals, including middle school and high school classroom teachers, administrators, and professors or instructors in schools of education.

Fellows participate in a 16-day, expenses-paid study tour of Korea during which they visit a foreign language high school, museums, and sites of historical and cultural interest. University faculty provide daily lectures on Korea history, culture, politics, economics, arts, and language. This is an unparalleled learning experience and unique opportunity for extensive travel and study within Korea.

Ms. Eraqi  is an avid seeker of global experiences to enrich her teaching.  This marks her fourth study tour, with previous visits to New Zealand, Spain, and Turkey. 

Please join me in congratulating Ms. Eraqi on being selected for this honor and in wishing her a rich learning experience during her time in Korea.