BATEC’s innovative process of developing curricula that is regionally connected, advanced in pedagogy and industry-linked, integrates aspects of change management within a Cycle of Professional Development. Educators participate in this change process as they develop curricula, share best practices and learn from industry experts about the specific, high-demand skills workers need to succeed.
The Professional Development Cycle of Change in Five Developmental Phases:
Phase l: Initiation of Professional Development sessions with shared mission, vision & goals for the group. Team-building and trust is important during this time. The intentional focus is on building a strong community of practice.
Phase II: Exploration of new ideas and beginning of Implementation process. Assessment is taken of individual and group needs and skills. This is a stage of some frustration and discomfort as new ideas challenge old ones (assumptions and fixed plans) and organizational norms may be questioned.
Phase III: Integration of new ideas and best practices via deeper exploration of curricular materials & pedagogical methods. Faculty engage in more “peer reviews” with a greater level of trust & comfort. These “critical friends” begin to share student outcome data as well as transformational teaching practices.
Phase lV: Evaluation stage where new concepts, ideas, and curricula are examined with what faculty have learned. This is often the phase where faculty express somewhat of a “paradigm shift” in their understanding.
Phase V: If all goes well, positive & intended changes in teaching and learning practices occur. Curricular materials reflect more than a surface understanding and changes to teaching practices are obvious and measurable –as validated by the community of practice and evidence of positive student outcomes.
Curriculum Development Materials for Educators
Checklist for Project Readiness
Checklist for Syllabus
Making Curriculum Connections with Industry
In conjunction with other professional development opportunities, BATEC sponsors biannual meetings between educators and industry. Lead by BATEC-trained facilitators, educators work collaboratively with industry representatives to understand the gaps between the knowledge, skills and abilities industry values and the specific knowledge and skills taught in high schools and higher education. At a session held at Raytheon’s Global Headquarter, participants noted:
“Most helpful was being able to query industry participants at length about expected skill sets.”
“I love the idea of helping teachers to teach what makes an employee successful at my company…to have a direct impact on what is being taught in our schools.”
More information on BATEC’s curriculum development process and training programs is available by calling Joyce LaTulippe, Curriculum & Assessment Director (781.640.9672), or Deborah Boisvert, Director of BATEC (617.287.7295).
