Learning and Leading - June/July 2012

left: lina Batestelli, a computer networking researcher, talks about using math for cloud computing. right: greg Sawicki, assistant professor in biomedical engineering, discusses wearable robots.

Some experts even confess that in high school, they didn’t think they would use math later in life either, and then they proceed to show how they couldn’t do their jobs without it.

PD when you want it! Learn to use, implement, and lead with technology through ISTE’s NETS-based online courses.

displays, the video illustrates how angles and mirrors change the properties of a beam of light.

Teachers play a different video at least once a month as a unit introduction or as part of problem-solving exercises. They report that these videos help highlight the larger role math plays in the workplace and also help them demonstrate how math is used outside of the classroom.

Several teachers have reported that interest in math is increasing in the classes that have watched the videos. After watching, students have asked about the careers highlighted. They want to know how they can get a job like that, how long does it take, and how much it pays. Even traditionally low-performing students are paying attention more to math.

By creating a set of videos (http:// scaleupstem.ncsu.edu/video), we leverage the reach of one role model from a single classroom to many. Now the students can learn about careers from people who use math in ways even they never thought they would.

Some experts even confess that in high school, they didn’t think they would use math later in life either, and then they proceed to show how they couldn’t do their jobs without it.

We’re now in the process of creating more videos, as our role models have spread the word about the importance of our project.

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank the participating role models and teachers. This material is based on work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. 0929543.

—Jennifer Ware is a doctoral candidate in the Communication, Rhetoric, and Digital Media program at North Carolina State University in Raleigh, North Carolina, USA. Her interests include technology and pedagogy. She has 12 years of award-winning multimedia experience.

—Sarah Stein is an associate professor in the Department of Communication at North Carolina State University. Her scholarly emphasis includes communication conceptual frameworks and strategies that lead to successful use of technology in pedagogical practices.