CompuServe Messages

Tim, I teach in a high school in central PA. I teach acad in an arch 1 and 2 yr long class. These are part of our Technology Education communications curriculum. The value of these courses is emense. Students learn to apply the abstract theoroy they learn in Math, Science and even Socail Studies. We are doing a unit on shelter from the days of the cave to the days of the corner sidewalk for the homeless. Many applications of problem solving are possible with a project oriented course. What's happening in the world of education is subject integration. We do have a Vo-tech course at our school also in some of the same classrooms only during a 3 pd morning block of time. Their course goals are for specific saleable skills. IMHO they need more design problem solving. Our classes are 95% college bound. They use the cad skillls directly in college in areas of arch, engineering, science, geology, etc. This is an everyday skill today for a college kid. We teach problem solving and development of critical thinking skills. Not only do they learn some design, how to draw and how to render and animate but they learn a hell of a lot about computer technology. all my students usually find summer jobs where they operate computers and turn out to be some of the best computer gurus in town. This part is just a by-product of the autoCad class. You should talk to the people at some of the SUNY centers and to Rensaeler Poly Tech. Also talk to Ken FORD, a principal in a school near Utica called Sauquoitt Valley- I think the phone there is 315-839-5500. Ken is a teacher but also has an EE degree. He is no light weight on the higher ed side and can tell you more specifics on the need for more technology education in this country. I also teach 3 semester long computer graphics classes using autodesk products, there are none better for todays world. Feel free to email me a message for more info. Pat Vernon