Technological Education for the Rural Community (TERC) Project: Technical Mathematics for the Advanced Manufacturing Technician

ABSTRACT

Hopkinsville Community College’s Technological Education for the Rural Community (TERC) project is funded through the National Science Foundation Advanced Technological Education (NSF ATE) division. It is advancing innovative educational pathways for technological education promoted at the community college level serving rural communities to fill highly technical positions. Deficiencies in mathematics preparation and access to meaningful math program content were identified as barriers to educational attainment for the technician. Math courses were hybridized to deliver material in class with an online component. Didactic content was employed using portable media that students without Internet could use outside of class. Materials were contextualized using problem-based learning focusing on curriculum requirements relating to industry-specific problem solving with relevant examples that are of use to the technician. Interdepartmental and industrial collaborations were conducted to incorporate hands-on content from math, engineering, and technician fields.