Kay Venteicher-Shulman

OMDE 670 Section 9040

Research Topic 1

The topic I propose to explore is how e-learning elements of learning technologies,

instructional strategies, and pedagogical models can be applied to improve access to science,

technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) in secondary education. The research will

look how distance education is applied as a means to reduce future higher education challenges

which could increase a students chances of academic success and improve access into the

STEM pipeline sooner especially for women, underrepresented groups, and underserved

communities (Baber, Graham, Taylor, Reese, Bragg, Lang, & Zamani-Gallaher, 2015).

The National Center for Education Statistics reported that high school senior completion

rates for high-level coursework was 26.8 percent in 2004 (Boatman, Long, and Bettinger, 2013,

pg. 94). Remediation or lack of academic preparation can become a potential barrier for the

student impacting both student persistence and successful performance rates (Boatman et al.,

2013). Data shows that remedial course work is completed by 35 to 40 percent of entering

freshmen (Boatman et al., 2013, pg. 93). Navigation of the higher education STEM pipeline

does bring significant academic challenges however, for the prepared high school graduate the

significance of those challenges is lessened.

The National Science Board projects employment trends in science and technology rates

to increase faster than other employment (NSF, 2016). The 2016 U.S. News/Raytheon STEM

Index showed a mixed report in STEM growth with women and minorities lagging behind

(Neuhauser, 2016, para. 2). The White House is promoting commitment to broaden STEM

participation of women, underrepresented groups and students from low income or underserved

communities (White House, 2014a, para. 15).

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Kay Venteicher-Shulman
OMDE 670 Section 9040
Research Topic 2

Traditional higher education initiatives and research projects focused to close the access

gap for women and minorities in STEM education have not been realized (White House, 2014b).

The purpose of this research is to examine current e-learning examples in secondary education

STEM that demonstrate e-learning potential to lower the access barriers to STEM education in

higher education and identify which supplemental support services have the greatest impact.

Additional review of the material will be conducted to determine the benefit to underrepresented

groups most affected by STEM access barriers which could significantly contribute to improved

access to STEM higher education (Gourgey, H., Asiabanpour, B., & Fenimore, C., 2010).
Kay Venteicher-Shulman
OMDE 670 Section 9040
Research Topic 3

References

Baber, L., Graham, E., Taylor, J.L., Reese, G., Bragg, D.D., Lang, J., & Zamani-Gallaher, E.M.

(2015). Illinois STEM college and career readiness: Forging a pathway to postsecondary

education by curbing math remediation. In Brief. Retrieved from

http://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED558789.pdf

Boatman, A., Long, B. T., & Bettinger, E. P. (2013). Student supports: Developmental education

and other academic programs. The Future of Children. 23(1), 93-115.

National Science Board. (2016). Science & engineering indicators: special report NSB-2016-1.

National Science Foundation. Retrieved from http://nsf.gov/statistics/2016/nsb20161/#/

Neuhauser, A. (2015, June 29). 2015 STEM Index shows gender, racial gaps widen. U.S. News

& World Report. Retrieved from http://www.usnews.com/news/stem-

index/articles/2015/06/29/gender-racial-gaps-widen-in-stem-fields

White House. (2014a, August 13). Fact sheet: Improving College Opportunity. Office of the

Press Secretary. Retrieved from

https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2014/08/13/fact-sheet-improving-college-o

pportunity

White House. (2014b, January). Increasing college opportunity for low-income students:

Promising models and a call to action. The Executive Office of the President. Retrieved

from

https://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/docs/white_house_report_on_increasing_c

ollege_opportunity_for_low-income_students_1-16-2014_final.pdf