Multimedia Modules and Virtual Organization Website for Collaborative Research Experience for Teachers in STEM

Wireless enabled cyber physical systems and applications, highly interactive multimedia modules, and virtual organization tools and capabilities provide attractive avenues for boosting interest and improving teaching effectiveness of STEM courses in schools. In this paper we describe the Research Experience for Teachers (RET)–Hawaii program and present features of some of the developed multimedia modules for middle schools. It is shown that with the production of highly interactive modules that include virtual labs, virtual instruments, and virtual participation in practical applications, the RET-Hawaii program has grown and is presently being used in 28 schools across the islands of Hawaii. To help maintain teachers’ connectivity, and facilitate exchange of information and sharing of implementation experiences, a virtual organization website was developed and is being used throughout the program. Features of the developed multimedia modules are described and capabilities of the developed virtual organization website are discussed. Outcomes from the RET-Hawaii program are highlighted to demonstrate some of the gained benefits from the program.