Source #1: Bibliography

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Rogers, Chris.  “Bringing Engineering to Elementary Schools.”  Journal of Stem Education : Innovations and Research. Merredith Portsmore, Dec. 2010.  Web. 21 Jan. 2017.

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Annotation:

Due to the fact that society relies on technology and the engineering field will always exist, engineering classes have been brought to elementary schools.  Students learn and absorb more when they are younger; therefore, learning computer, math, and science skills at such a young age will make future engineering classes easier and more enjoyable.  Students ages 5-8 have more creativity than their older peers; therefore, their imagination and inventiveness can help them broaden their horizons and explore more opportunities the engineering world has to offer.  Younger students also desire the need to move around and look forward to hands-on activities.  With engineering classes students are constantly building with legos and blocks; as well as, working with different programs on computers.  These skills students learn in elementary school will follow them and flourish throughout their schooling.
 

Potential Quotes:

“Engineering has the distinct advantage in the elementary school of being something students enjoy as it incorporates hands-on and creative work.” (Rogers 2).

“Students need to learn how to (1) Identify and Formulate a Problem, (2) Design a Solution, (3) Create and Test a Solution, (4) Optimize and Redesign, and (5) Communicate and Disseminate the Solution.” (Rogers 2-3).

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Assessment:

This source is credible because Dr. Chris Rogers, the writer of the article, works at Tufts University which is the Center For Engineering Educational Outreach.  He studies the importance of engineering classes on a daily basis and develops new ways to introduce the subject to such young students.  Dr. Rogers works with members of the STEM Board of Education and helped press the move to bring engineering classes to elementary schools.
 

Reflection:

I will use this information in the article to prove that these classes are important and that children need to learn how to use computers in order to design and build.  It is vital that schools start building a foundation for engineers in elementary schools, so that they will be strong and experienced when it comes to education later on down the line.  With a world becoming more dependent on technology, it is crucial that students realize that they will always find a new opportunity to build, renovate, and design if they pursue the field of engineering.
 

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Source #2: Bibliography

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Swart, Arthur James. Distance Learning Engineering Students

Languish Under Project-Based Learning, But Thrive In Case

Studies And Practical Workshops. IEEE Transactions On

Education 59.2 (2016): 98-104. Science & Technology Collection.

Web. 6 Nov. 2016.

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Annotation:

This article highlights the student academic results of practical

work done in an electrical engineering qualification. The author

compares and contrasts the challenges and successes of project-

based learning, case studies, and practical workshops. The

article lists examples of Electrical Engineering Institutions around

the world, and their methods of success in order to get their

Engineering Students to thrive. It is apparent that no matter what

kind of engineering one is studying; project-based learning will not

be the best option, when case studies and practical workshops

open more doors for understanding for Engineering Students.

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Potential Quotes:

“Practical workshops give engineering students a cooperative

learning opportunity between their peers and academic face-to-

face support; whereas, project-based learning leads to skill

shortages among students in constructing and difficulty in

sourcing electronic components.” (Swart 5).

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“The University of South Africa’s Engineering works only with

project-based learning and only 9% of students are able to find

and sustain a good Engineering Job.” (Swart 4).

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“Aalborg University Engineering in Denmark works only with case

studies and practical workshops and 87% of students are able to

find and maintain an exceptional career in the Engineering field.”

(Swart 4).

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Assessment:

This source is credible because the author, James Swart is a

professor at the Central University of Technology and conducted

these studies first-hand in his own Electrical Engineering

Department. Swart is also credible for his statistics on The

University of South Africa and Aalborg University of Engineering

because he was born and raised in South Africa and received his

Master’s Degree at The University of South Africa, he transferred

and worked with a professor at Aalborg University for 18 months

and eventually moved back to South Africa where he is now

working at the Central University of Technology. This source is

also credible because it came from Galileo which can be found in the reference section in Flowery Branch High School's library.

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Reflection:

I will use this information in my research paper to explain the

positive impacts case studies and practical workshops can have.

At my mentorship at Ivy Creek Elementary School, I am working

with the school’s AP as well as other parent volunteers in a

workshop to rearrange the book room and find a more efficient

way of organizing and numbering the books. I know if I was doing

this alone and without other volunteers and their knowledge, this

would not get done quickly or accurately. Practical workshops

outweigh project-based learning because practical workshops

allow for Engineers to work in groups, divide and conquer, and

use each other as informational resources.

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Source #3: Bibliography

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Waxdon, Landon.  “Instituting More Technology To Be Put Into Elementary School Libraries.” Twenty-First Century Stem Education.  Ashley Brunswick, Aug. 2016.  Web 22 Feb. 2017.
 

Annotation:

Each and every day technology is being updated and improved; however, while many people think technology is “taking over” libraries, it is actually adding to them.  Every year Elementary Schools are constantly updating their technology in classrooms, computer labs, and especially the Media Centers or Libraries.  While this updated technology is not meant to replace the books and old fashioned atmosphere libraries provide, they make it easier for children to look up books of their choice regarding level and genre.  Most Elementary Schools have added “Engineering Additions” to their Media Centers where students can build, put puzzles together, and work on programming different types of technological devices.  This source displays the positive effects that come when technology is put into libraries as well as statistics on the long term benefits that come when such is done.  
 

Potential Quotes:

“In 2006, 87 percent of Primary Schools in Texas transformed “Libraries” into “Media Centers”, by adding technology for students.  In 2016, the state of Texas had the highest High School graduation rate in the country.”  (Waxdon 3).  

“In 2011, it became a requirement in 32 states for Media Center Specialists to teach a technology related class to Fifth Grade students.  Students were taught how to use different programs as well as research, document, and cite information correctly.  This requirement was an attempt to help prepare students for the rigor that came in Middle School curriculum.” (Waxdon 4).

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Assessment:

This source is credible because the author, Landon Waxdon, has been studying technological additions to Elementary Schools for the past 15 years.  He has tracked the Psychology behind students and what adding technology to Elementary Schools have done to improve their way of life in the real world.  Landon Waxdon studies schools all across America, both private and public,  and compares what big city Elementary Schools in places like New York City have to offer as opposed to small town Elementary Schools in rural areas such as Iowa.

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Reflection:

I plan on using this information to answer my essential question for my Capstone Project.  Working in a Media Center three days a week I can tell that the technological advances improve the experience children have when visiting.  I plan on using the information in this article to statistically prove that adding technology to Elementary School libraries improve students likeliness to read and overall achieve more in the future.