The vision of BLOSSOMS is to begin to develop a large, free repository of video modules for high school math and science classes created by gifted volunteer teachers from around the world, seeded initially by MIT faculty members and by partnering educators in Jordan and Pakistan.

To read more, click on the blossom.

• To offer a different and exciting perspective on, or mind-expanding approach to a topic
• To teach abstract concepts through the joining of observation, experience and discussion
• To stimulate the development of critical, creative and lateral or associative thinking skills
• To generate interest and spark imaginations regarding a subject perhaps previously thought to be dry and abstract

MIT BLOSSOMS is a STEM education initiative. Science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education is a relatively new way of thinking about how best to educate high school students for the workforce and for post-secondary education. High school education must adapt to the changing needs of the global economy. All sectors of the workforce – from entry-level jobs to more advanced positions – are requiring workers to have a greater capacity to think critically, work independently, and apply an ever widening set of sophisticated skills. BLOSSOMS aims to increase student interest in and enthusiasm about careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

BLOSSOMS has been designed as an Open Educational Resource or OER. The term “Open Educational Resource” refers to web-based materials offered freely and openly for re-use in teaching, learning and research. OERs are positioned to play a transformative role in a world where access to quality education is viewed as a right rather than a privilege.

The BLOSSOMS video modules are not intended to replace an existing curriculum but rather to enhance the teaching of certain lessons by the lively video presence of a gifted “guest lecturer’. Each video is designed for viewing in brief segments, allowing the in-class teacher between segments to engage the class in an active, goal-oriented exercise. Read more.

BLOSSOMS is a collaborative initiative among equal partners in the U.S., Jordan and Pakistan. Each country will produce approximately 15 video modules. Read more.

These video lessons will be available to high schools via the Internet and also in DVD and videotape versions. Most high school classrooms worldwide do not have access to broadband Internet connections, but almost all can support at least videotape presentations of the materials. Content in these lower tech formats can be mailed to teachers upon request. And videotape, iteratively started and stopped, is all that is required for implementation of a BLOSSOMS lesson.

A written transcript in the native language of the module producer will accompany each video module lesson. This will facilitate translation into a local language by educators in countries around the world.

At the current time, only partner educators in the U.S., Jordan and Pakistan are making these video lesson modules. However, starting on July 1, 2009, other educators worldwide will be invited to submit their ideas for a module. If you are interested in making a module, you can download the document, "Protocols for BLOSSOMS Interactive Video Module Production,” or view the video, “Tips on Making a BLOSSOMS Learning Video.” Then contact us with your ideas!