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Many of us all know how vital it is to blend technology into our learning environments. These days, it's hard not to have one without the other. There are those of us who excel at marrying the two. However, there are some that are still having a bit of difficulty with it. eSchool News have been on the look out for the pioneers to help mold the way for creating a more technology embraced environment. Learn more about three edupreneurs paving the path for the 21 century edu evolution:
eSchool News staff recommends three edupreneurs to watch in 2014 who are transforming how technology can deliver instruction more effectively and enhance the student experience.
In October 2013, The Atlantic highlighted three “edupreneurs,” or innovators, who work tirelessly to not only advance math and science education in the U.S., but to energize attitudes toward science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) learning. The list included Vince Bertram, president and chief executive officer ofProject Lead The Way (PLTW), a provider of STEM programs. Under his leadership, PLTW has expanded in more than 5,000 schools, reaching more than 600,000 students each year. Linda Kekelis, executive director at Techbridge Girls, made the list for inspiring girls to pursue STEM careers. Linda has helped create after school and summer programs for mentoring 4,000 girls in science and math. Cordelia Ontiveros, associate dean of the College of Engineering at California State Polytechnic University, is also recognized for advocating STEM education and encouraging Hispanic females to pursue engineering degrees. To remain competitive in the global economy, educators in the United States are examining other novel approaches on ways technology and innovation can deliver instruction more effectively and enhance the student experience. Essentially, what we are talking about is a higher standard of learning for the challenging world of this century. The workplace world has changed, and schools need to change to prepare students for the modern workplace. For centuries, public schools have emulated the workplace or the office work of their contemporary times. When clerical workers were sharpening their nibs with penknives and dipping their quills in inkwells, schools had those same inkwells on the desk of every student. When the office workplace was based on paper, students were getting their information from books and writing their assignments in notebooks. With the dawning of the 21st century, humankind entered the information age based upon the ease of access to digital media and the volume of resources available to everyone. Many jobs that have traditionally been blue collar are now requiring a high level of technological skill. Computers are in the office, in the trades, in agriculture, and nearly everywhere. If modern schools are to properly prepare students for their futures, the schools need to provide the modern learning tools that reflect the contemporary workplace. Earlier this year, Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton spoke to a difficulty Microsoft is having filling its highly skilled positions. According to Dayton, Microsoft has 2,600 senior programming jobs world-wide that are going unfilled because Microsoft cannot hire people with the skills to do these jobs. Starting salary for these jobs is $105,000 annually. Despite our nation’s high unemployment rate and the attractive salary the software giant is offering, Microsoft cannot find the people to fill its jobs. There are simply not enough people with these skill sets. This is the future for some of the most lucrative jobs in our nation. People with advanced technical skills will be in high demand. They will be very employable and able to demand high salaries. We need to make sure that today’s kids are ready to earn these high salaries. View the original piece here.