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Drs. Michael Gessler, Sönke Knutzen and Falk Howe at
Tampa Bay Technical High School - Tampa, FL |
Tampa, FL. – February 15, 2015. The Career and Workforce Education program at the University of South Florida hosted a group of colleagues from Germany interested in learning about how career and technical education is organized in the United States. The group included Drs. Michael Gessler, Falk Howe, and Sönke Knutzen. The group visited on February 10-13 and toured Tampa Bay Technical High School, Erwin Technical College, Hillsborough Community College, and the University of South Florida campus where they shared their comparative perspectives on the German and American systems of vocational education and training.
Dr. Gessler is Director of the Institut Technik & Bildung [Institute of Technology and Education] (ITB) at the University of Bremen in Bremen, Germany. He is also a professor in vocational and adult education and his research interests are in project-based learning and teaching, educational management, school-to-work transitions, work-based learning and innovations in vocational education and training. Dr. Howe, is currently serving as ITB Deputy Director, and is a professor in didactics of electrical engineering (vocational teacher education) and didactics of technical education (general education). He also leads the Department of Research on Work Processes and Pedagogic Development for VET provisions in the ITB. His research activities have included historical studies on the evolution of occupational profiles in electric engineering as well as field studies on the shaping of regional workplace learning partnerships. In turn, Dr. Knutzen is Vice-President for education of the Hamburg University of Technology. He is also Director of ITB’s Technology, Work Processes and Vocational Education. He leads vocational teacher education in Media Technology and Information Technology, and has conducted extensive research on pedagogic development of e-learning in the field of VET.
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Falk Howe, Michael Gessler, Sönke Knutzen, and
Michael Ippolito (TBT Principal). |
On February 11, the group visited Tampa Bay Technical High School (TBT) in the morning. TBT was established in 1969 as Tampa Bay Vocational Technical School and is the only comprehensive high school in the district devoted exclusively to technical education (grades 9-12). With an annual enrollment of about 2,000 students, TBT offers instruction in a wide variety of programs and courses, from advanced placement to certified technical courses. The school campus has a college campus-like environment with well-equipped facilities for several technical programs in health sciences, electronics, and automotive technology. Mr. Michael Ippolito, TBT Principal, took the group on a tour of the school to visit the health sciences, graphic design, electronics, auto technology, veterinarian, and other programs.
In the afternoon, the group visited the Hillsborough Community College (HCC), which was founded in 1968, and serving more than 48,000 students a year who enroll in credit, non- credit, and leisure classes. HCC is a global community with an international student population of more than 2,500 foreign students from 137 different countries. HCC offers more than 150 programs including 18 Associate in Arts degree tracks for university transfer students, 66 Associate in Science (or applied science) programs for workforce education and development, and 74 certificate (short-term) programs. The College also serves as the main provider of training for the majority of Tampa Bay's first responders through its police and fire academies as well as its healthcare training program.
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At Hillsborough Community College with Mr. Tracy Barnes,
Electronics Program Coordinator. |
AT HCC, the group visited the Electronics program led by Mr. Tracy Barnes. The Electronics programs offers an Associate in Science (AS) degree in Electronics Engineering Technology (EET), and four certificates in electronics. The AS in EET prepares students for entry-level technician jobs or for transfer to any Florida public university to complete an undergraduate degree. In addition, the four certificates offered in electronics include cable installation, electronics technician, microcomputer repairer/installer, and wireless communications. The certificate options are designed to prepare students for employment as a wireless installer, wireless technician, wireless field service technician, or to provide supplemental training to persons previously or currently employed in these occupations.
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At Hillsborough Community College with Dr. Bill Underwood,
Opticianry Program Coordinator. |
At HCC, the group also visited the Opticianry program led by Dr. Bill Underwood. The opticianry program focuses on the preparation of professional opticians whow are required to measure, fit and adapt eyeglasses and contact lenses to people with vision problems. To prepare opticians, the program coursework covers basic ocular science including optics, anatomy, contact lenses and refractometry. The curriculum also allows students to gain specific skills in professional management, eyeware fabrication and dispensing. The program also ensures clinical experience through a state-of-the-art, on-campus dispensary and at affiliate sites. Students have the choice to enroll in a traditional campus-based program or an online program. Graduates of the opticianry program are eligible to take state and national certification and/or licensure examinations for opticians.
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At Erwin Technical College with Mr. Warren Brooks
(CTE District Director) and Mr. Jim Rich (ETC Principal). |
On February 12, the group visited the Erwin Technical College (ETC) in the morning. ETC is a public vocational school that is also part of the Hillsborough County Public Schools system. ETC was established in 1925 and is currently located in a highly urbanized area. ETC has a wide variety of technical programs, some of which may transfer as credit hours to 2-year community colleges. ETC offers about 42 programs including options in construction, industrial, engineering, computer, business and health care options among others. ETC also offers courses to help students earn a General Educational Development diploma (equivalent to a high school diploma), and learn English as a second language. The tour of ETC was facilitated by Mr. Jim Rich, Principal, and by Mr. Warren Brooks, Director of Career and Technical Education in the entire local school district.
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At the University of South Florida sharing perspectives on
the German system of vocational education and training. |
In the afternoon, the group shared their comparative perspectives on the German system of vocational education and training and the American system at the University of South Florida (USF). Dr. Gessler, started with a description of the Germany system highlighting the commonalties and differences with the American system. Drs. Howe and Knutzen followed with a presentation of their work on task-oriented and multimedia-based learning in vocational technical education and training (TVET), and the concept of professional expertise. The presentation was co-sponsored by the Alpha Gamma Chapter of the Omicron Tau Theta organization and the Career and Workforce Education program at USF. There were 25 people in attendance including faculty members, graduate students, and VET professionals in the field.
All in all, the group visit was a learning experience for both our German colleagues and those of us who interacted with them. Below are additional photos of the group visit (click on a photo to view as a slide show).
