The CEEO is excited to announce a new way to share our approach to K-12 engineering education. This month we’ve launched a new graduate-level program for teachers that helps to prepare them to engage in innovative, hands-on, design projects in their classroom. The Online K-12 Engineering Education program (OKEE) consists of four courses that are offered 100% online and asynchronously. Courses tackle engineering content from beginning design practices to robotics and teaching topics from developing classroom engineering activities to questioning techniques when students are designing.
The OKEE program is not a collection of your average online classes. The courses are designed to replicate the dynamic and interactive courses and workshops the CEEO has been offering for almost 20 years. Participants will build solutions using a kit of materials shipped to their door, interview their students, and engage in lively discussions with a cohort of like-minded colleagues. Resources like discussion groups and special webinars and workshops will be available to OKEE participants and alumni to help build a community of innovative K-12 engineering educators.
The OKEE certificate program entails two content courses and two pedagogy courses taken over four semesters (18 months). Participants can choose a content course path based on their level of STEM experience and grade-level teaching assignment. Courses in the elementary track are designed for those with little STEM background while the middle/high school track incorporates more advanced engineering topics with related math and science integration.
Course design for the classes has focused on making structures that accommodate busy schedules. Weekly assignments have flexible deadlines and the videos and readings are available 24/7 in an easy to use online environment. The OKEE faculty, instructors, and graduate teaching assistants associated with each course will also all have office hours via video conference and e-mail early in the morning, after dinner, late at night, and on-demand. The goals is to create an environment where participants can work on assignments and receive help wherever it fits in their life.
The first cohort of OKEE will begin in Fall 2015. The application process is open now through the end of August for K-12 educators. Applicants who are interested in the courses but not ready to apply to the program can apply to take individual courses. Visit okee.tufts.edu for more information on courses, admission, and upcoming webinars.
