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ExplorNet News
Success Stories from Participating Schools
ExplorNet's CareerTech programs work in a variety of schools
from small to large, rural to urban, underserved to wealthy.
The primary goal is to prepare today's high school students
for tomorrow's high-tech workforce. Examples are below.
Student Plans Return to Classroom - in a Different Role
A North Carolina Teaching Fellow who earned multiple IT certifications while he was still in ExplorNet/QTL programs at Orange High School is now graduating from Appalachian State University with a teaching degree, a lot of expertise, and some lofty goals. Read about him here.
Computer Engineering Teacher Among 2009 SkillsUSA Winners
West Johnston High School teacher Todd Thibault - a member of QTL/ExplorNet curriculum teams - was named NC SkillsUSA 2009 Advisor of the Year. Meanwhile, Middle Creek High School racked up five state championships, mostly in Digital Media-related fields. Read the list of winners.
Adding Science, High-Level Thinking to the Mix
Teaching the outlined content of a course is Job One for any teacher. But some educators are constantly on the lookout for new and creative ways to go above and beyond.
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Computer Engineering students at East Burke High School aren't just learning the basics of computer technology. Teacher Wayne Whaley is incorporating higher level science and inquiry-based learning into his coursework. This year students have built two fully functional liquid submersed computers.
Wayne says students took ownership and "would even get mad if we played with it while they were gone." Pictures tell the story of how engaged they became in the process. Read more about it in The Morganton Herald and see pictures at the Wayne's Work Bench blog.
Workshop Highlights 'Out-of-the-Box' Thinking, Student Projects
Strategies for giving students real-world context for computer technology content were on display at a March workshop for ExplorNet teachers in Boone. Watauga High School teacher Errol Shook hosted and led the session, putting participants through some challenging hands-on labs and showing how those activities have helped boost his students' understanding of the A+-based Computer Engineering curriculum.
Wakefield Computer Engineering Program Featured on WRAL
During tight budget times, money-saving efforts in schools get special attention. Phil Vice and his students at Wakefield High were in the spotlight as Raleigh TV station WRAL featured this program's paper-saving, student-engaging approach to learning computer technology.
Win-Win for Students, Small Businesses, Taxpayers in Williamston
Students get real world experience, startup businesses get a reliable tech infrastructure, and taxpayers save money thanks to the efforts of Martin County Computer Engineering teacher Charles Thorne and his students. Find out how.
Tech Support Program Pays Off for Students
Arkansas Computer Engineering teacher Jim Ermert has a history of finding hands-on projects for students in the school district and the community. After several years, he has quite a track record and has compiled a lot of notes on what makes it work for students as well as beneficiaries of their work. Get details in Jim's post on the ExplorNet CareerTech blog.
NC Teacher Leads State Organization
Pamlico High School Computer Engineering teacher Robin Migliorato says ExplorNet's Moodle site has saved her a lot of time in planning great lessons for her students, and that's a good thing. She has a lot more on her plate this school year. She's leading the statewide NCTIETA (North Carolina Trade & Industrial Education Teachers Association), a year-long commitment that includes planning and presiding over events at Summer Conference and the Fall NCTIETA Conference in Atlantic Beach.
Teacher Outlines Use of ExplorNet CareerTech Resources
How can teachers use ExplorNet's Computer Engineering or Networking I resources to prepare their students for careers in Information Technology? ExplorNet materials are designed to give teachers flexibility. Wakefield High School teacher Phil Vice has been in the program for several years, and took the time to outline how he uses our materials to coach his students to success.
Honored Teacher Plans to Expand Moodle Use in 2008-09
Washington High School Computer Engineering and Business Ed teacher Kimberly Mayo was named NCDPI's Orus Sutton Business and Information Technology Teacher of the Year at this year's Summer Conference in Greensboro. Kim has been teaching ExplorNet's Computer Engineering for several years and is clearly doing a great job! She took the plunge into using ExplorNet's Moodle system in 2007, and tells us she's going to use it a lot more this year. Find out why in her ExplorNet CareerTech Blog entry.
Students Build Computers for NC District's Classrooms
Hands-on learning is crucial in the IT classroom. Students in a North Carolina high school get plenty of it, and benefit the school system, to boot. Read how.
Read more IT success stories or teachers' own reflections on the program.
Check out the ExplorNet CareerTech Blog.
Centers for Quality Teaching and Learning Newsletters
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Older Newsletters
Fall 2007 QTL Newsletter
Summer 2007 IT Connection Newsletter
April 2007 IT Connection Newsletter
February 2007 IT Connection Newsletter
November 2006 IT Connection Newsletter
October 2006 IT Connection Newsletter
