Case Study: Development and Assessment of a STEM-Based Course for Teacher Educators

Abstract

It is essential that teachers understand the content of the subjects they teach. A particular challenge in a graduate program for secondary mathematics and science teachers is how to provide teacher candidates with subject matter content, on a graduate level, that does not replicate undergraduate courses. The School of Education and School of Engineering designed a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) course for teacher educators for students of the School of Education. Designed course uses audio and image processing techniques and technologies to teach fundamental STEM concepts to secondary pre- and in- service mathematics and science teachers. Designed to enrich the teaching and learning experience, the course activities include: (a) Lectures and Discussions, (b) Lab activities: Hands-on computer experience, and (c) Team Project. In this paper, we will present the developed course outline, the response of our students who are pre- and in-service teachers, and the lessons learned by the instructors.