Clyde Hutchison inspecting the latest batch of carbon-converting microbes

A number of senators plan to create a bill that would make the American citizenship process easier and faster for foreigners who complete postgraduate degrees in any US university. The initiative is expected to complement President Obama’s current program to bring about immigration reform.

US Senators are planning to make immigration reforms, which include granting American citizenship to foreigners who complete postgraduate degrees in science, engineering, or math from any US university. A proposal from a bipartisan group of legislators will form a basis for a bill to be introduced in March. It is expected that the anticipated legislation would be ready for the president’s signing by year-end.

The initiative is an effort to attract and keep the best and brightest minds in the world. According to the senate framework, it would be more advantageous to educate and keep future innovators and entrepreneurs, who could possibly contribute to the US economy in the future. The idea is to supplement the country’s talent pool with scientists and programmers from India, China, Brazil, and other countries who complete locally offered postgraduate programs in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

STEM Jobs Act

In 2012, STEM Jobs Act was reenacted in the Republican-controlled House. It aims to provide green cards to STEM graduates and to speed up the naturalization process for their families. The idea has logically earned support from businesses in the Silicon Valley and other corporate entities nationwide.

This potential legislative proposal is expected to gain wider support. It was unveiled prior to the presentation of President Barack Obama’s own immigration blueprint. The president seems determined to offer American citizenship to more than 11 million undocumented immigrants across the country.

Republican lawmakers are known for opposing the government’s immigration plans. However, such an anti-immigrant tone is expected to tone down after President Obama’s victory for reelection in 2012. According to political analysts, most Republicans now dread the possibility of a backlash in vote-rich communities where there are numerous Latinos and other immigrants.

Complementing processes

However, Democrats assure that the government’s plan would not make citizenship much easier. Every undocumented immigrant would still be required to register and pass stricter tests. They would still be subjected to background check and would be ordered to pay penalties and back taxes before given the right to find probationary employment.

Applicants for citizenship would still be required to learn the English language and the basic of American history. It would still take several years before a green card is earned. Postgraduate degree earners of American STEM programs would enjoy the privilege of taking an easier process, but more can be expected from them.

According to analysts, the combined efforts by the senators and the White House could be the most notable attempt to boost immigration reform. The result is expected to be a success, in contrast with the failed attempt to improve immigration system in 2007 by the administration of former president George W. Bush.

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One of the hottest topics in Educational Technology is the 21st Century Science Classroom. It is being discussed in faculty lounges, in teachers’ conferences, and even on social networking sites. People – parents, science teachers, and education specialists – wanted to know what it is and how it is done. Insights and interpretations are offered and analyzed.

Parents, teachers, and education systems specialists are all assigned to equip our children with the four C’s of 21st century skills –communication (effective transfer of information in scientific practice), collaboration (cooperative inquiry and investigation), creativity (innovation and artistry) and critical thinking in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics fields (STEM) – having the information and skills to carry out further education, to engage in the global marketplace and contribute meaningfully to the society.

Facing the inevitable changes in education and in technology, various state-run efforts and government-sponsored organization such as Common Core State Standards and Next Generation Science Standards acknowledge these changes and incorporate these key skills into tiered academic contents and standards frameworks as early as kindergarten. These redesigned standards can transform the science classroom and science learning.

The 21st Century Physical Classroom Arrangement
Aside from revolutionizing learning environments by installation and application of gadgets (audio-video conferencing, interactive whiteboards etc), 21st century science classroom should mirror an adjustable learning environment – moveable fixtures and equipments to conform to ever-changing teaching and learning needs. It all derived from the idea that teaching and learning are fluid processes; they cannot and should not be just contained in four walls of classroom. As such, new classroom design models have emerged to suit the philosophy. An excellent example is the classroom at the School of Environmental Studies in Minneapolis, an almost-transparent school building which also transfers academic learning into outside field.

The 21st Century Instructional Model: The Flipping
Flipped Classroom Model utilizes technology in providing instruction at home by watching interactive video lectures and explanation of science course content and moving the homework/assignment completion, laboratory and examination to the classroom. According to Jonathan Bergmann, a flipped classroom pioneer, it is not synonymous with online videos. The rationale also goes that students can spend the class time at school in working on their homeworks or any gaps around the lesson with the teacher as their guide.

The 21st Century Science Teacher
One does not stop at reinventing the science curriculum and the science classroom. Though no technology could fully replace carefully planned lesson and teaching methods, changes must be done in the direction of integrating technology into science teaching methodologies as well as in the role of educators as well. From being the provider of information, the science teacher becomes facilitator of learning. It could be tricky. The right tools should be properly utilized to meet the teacher’s objectives and the tools’ effective integration into lesson to turn learning engaging and relevant. And after becoming proficient in application of these tools in teaching, educators can adopt them to fully realize the technology’s positive effects on students’ learning and on themselves.

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College graduates must be better equipped with the right knowledge and skills to be able to qualify for better career opportunities in the future. Here are recommended courses that may further aid their professional development so they can easily jumpstart their careers after graduation.

Most students rant about the need to attend lengthy lectures and read incomprehensible textbooks. These methods may actually do very little in preparing them to take real jobs. That is why many universities and colleges are now innovating ways to boost learning and training experiences for their students.

Here are career-oriented college courses that are currently being offered by specific educational institutions. In the highly competitive job market, graduates who have received better and more effective training in college can truly stand out compared to their peers.

Speaking to Lead and Influence

St. Catherine University in Minnesota pioneers in offering this course. The class is specifically designed to help students become more comfortable in using office communication skills. The course aims to instill confidence on various forums—public speaking, meetings, group presentations, and interviews. Without any doubt, the skill to speak effectively will always be helpful to students before and after their graduation.

HR on the Ground

The course allows M.B.A. students at Temple University’s Fox School of Business to actually experience applying HR principles on the job. The university has a partnership with retailer Target, which has agreed to allow students to work with the company through giving consulting advice following thorough analysis of actual store performance. The analyses are evaluated by the professor and Target executives. Logically, students’ interaction with the company does not end there. Since 2005, up to 56 former students of the course have been hired to work within Target’s corporate level.

Research Methods in Cell Biology

Students who take up Biology and other related programs can truly benefit from taking this course. For more than two decades now, the Eastern Connecticut State University has been offering it to students. It is a subject that requires 6 hours each week for lecture and laboratory classes. What sets it apart from all other Biology classes? Students are required to isolate and eventually identify a protein using the concepts, theories, and principles they have learned in class. The aim is to simulate the feel of actually working in a real research laboratory.

Education to Business Program

Graziadio School of Business and Management of the Pepperdine University has become popular partly because of this course. Students are divided into groups and are assigned to work on solving problems that hurdle real businesses, which come to the university to obtain consulting assistance. Needless to say, this arrangement tends to be mutually beneficial. Companies save money while the university trains budding consultants on the job.

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There are six college courses that are currently popular among students. According to most experts, these subjects should be prioritized in 2013 because these can help students get better employment prospects when they graduate.

According to experts, the unemployment problem is not only due to the recent recession. Many graduates fail to get jobs because employers find them lacking necessary and important knowledge and skills. Job market success can be assured by basic knowledge of important and necessary subjects, which should be taken in college. Here are the top six college courses that should be taken by students if they want to enjoy more and greater employment opportunities after getting a degree. These courses are expected to be more popular this 2013.

Financial Planning and Management

Most colleges usually bury this helpful course within the business curriculum, wherein completion of basic accounting courses is a prerequisite. In some universities, this course is offered without prerequisites. Financial Planning and Management helps students easily understand accounting. They will learn how to project costs and revenues using the typical spreadsheet. The concepts can be applicable to jobs even in non-profits and the government.

Economics

It is a good thing that colleges offer Economics as a basic college course these days. The subject is usually divided into two categories: microeconomics and macroeconomics. Microeconomics is deemed as the more important because it offers a wider perspective on significant economic concepts like costs, value, and prices.

Statistics

Statistical data should be regularly reviewed not only by business managers but also by political leaders, educators, non-profit executives, and anyone who has a job responsibility. Students will always find this course very helpful so they could make accurate and reliable interpretations of quantitative information, which will be needed when doing research.

Calculus

This course can be very intimidating to most students but it can be very helpful as it clearly lays out important concepts of levels and rates of change. The basic lesson is about making quick estimates and doing further calculations. Taking just one course in Calculus can be enriching enough unless the student is required to take advanced Calculus courses before taking major subjects.

Computer Programming

Basic knowledge about Python, Java, or C++ is now considered very important. Manipulation, slicing, and dicing of data is a must for most jobs. Even a basic knowledge about actual computer programming can assure faster employability. Students can decide to take additional computer programming courses to learn more about the in-demand job.

Communications

It is surprising that many high school graduates today do not possess effective communication skills. Oral and written communication is an important factor when finding jobs. Many students often ignore the need to take Communications courses in college. Those who take such subjects end up getting more and better prospects after tertiary education because they can communicate well with potential employers and clients.

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