North Seattle Community College seeks funding from NSF's Advanced Technological Education program to make major improvements in electronics and engineering technologies curricula By collaborating with industry, professional associations, institutions of higher education, and secondary schools, the college proposes to develop model ATE programs that raises standards and performance levels for technicians in industrial applications. Since its opening in 1970, the college has offered comprehensive electronics and engineering technologies programs, along with technical specializations in biomedical technology, CAD for industrial applications, industrial power control, communications technology, digital computer electronics, and computer networking. To comply with the new standards developed for technicians by the American Electronics Association designed to raise skill and knowledge levels, faculty propose significant changes in the college's approach to technological education. Spanning a period of five years, 1995-2000, the project focuses on three major components: (1) Faculty Development. A rigormus faculty enhancement program is planned to prepare faculty for curricular reform. Participants in a summer institute in 1996 and 1997 will include electronics and engineering faculty, secondary school teachers, and representatives of industry. Building a foundation for preparing technical workers, the institute will cover a range of topics that include AEA standards, industry practices, collaborative approaches to teaching, use of interactive courseware, and competency-based instruction. The professional enhancement program also promotes faculty's return to industry for updating their knowledge and skills. (2) Curriculum and Instructional Materials. Comprehensive curricular reform requires development of Tech Prep career pathways in electronics and engineering technologies with Sea ttle Public Schools, pre-college level workshops in applied academics for students deficient in basic skills, integration of science and mathematics into technical programs, and new and revised curricula in electronics and engineering. Included in the project is faculty's collaboration with industry on training modules that can be used in the classroom as well as at the work site. These modules will focus on basic skills and on specific, typically complex technical topics such as object-oriented design and documentation. Faculty will also coordinate curricula for improving articulation between two- and four-year institutions and for establishing new degree options for NSCC's students. (3) Laboratory Improvement. Over the five-year period, faculty will integrate into the curriculum a new learning laboratory where automated work environments can be simulated and state-of-the-art systems demonstrated. The integrated systems laboratory will be designed to provide students with an overview of systems involved in taking a product from design and pattern layout to a tested and finished product.
