How to Use Technology to Better Prepare
How to Use Technology to Better Prepare Technology is becoming more and more prevalent in our everyday lives as well as the workforce.
Recent studies predict that by the year 2030 almost every job in the American workplace will require some use of technology.
This influx in technology has caused changes in the way the computer is being used in the workplace and in the way computer literacy needs to be taught in our schools.
When the personal computer was first introduced in the 1980’s, people had to learn how to operate it, program it, and utilize its basic functions.
Today, people and businesses are becoming more familiar with technology and using it more as a tool for such things as information gathering, data analysis and interpretation, presenting information, problem solving, communication, etc.
This technology is also continually being updated and changed to allow for more efficient and productive work, causing people to have to keep pace with this new information.
In such a knowledge-based economy, knowing how to locate information quickly, evaluate this information for bias and accuracy, and synthesize and apply that information to solve problems will be needed and valued skills.
Therefore, teaching students skills such as these will better prepare them for the workforce of the 21st century.
Simply providing students with technology in isolated computer classes will not teach students these necessary skills or how to use the computer as a tool.
After all, the end result is not wanting students to simply know how to operate computers but how to use them as a tool for organization, communication, problem-solving, and research.
Technology needs to be integrated into the curriculum using an active/inquiry-based method of learning. In this method, instead of students being shown specific steps to follow to solve a problem and then solving problems from a textbook,
they are given a “real world” problem to solve and must create their own strategies for data gathering, analyzing, hypothesizing and testing solutions.
By constructing their own strategies, they gain a deeper understanding of problem-solving skills. By solving real world problems, students are better able to relate their learning to their own lives and similar future situations.
Oftentimes the students work in groups to solve their problems which enhances students’ interpersonal skills and teamwork.
They also learn to accept different perspectives, work cooperatively, and state their opinions and feelings. After all, few jobs require people to work in total isolation; therefore,
being able to work with others is an important aspect of society and the workplace.
Students should be given a number and variety of technology resources to use in order to find a solution to their problem, such as internet resources or search engines,
communication/email with experts, books, software programs, spreadsheet programs, graphing programs, etc.
Students may also be required to conduct their own hands-on experiments or participate in online collaborative research. However, instruction should be given on how to analyze information for bias and accuracy.
Students should realize that not everything on the internet is true or correct. Since the information is not merely presented to the students in a lecture format they are required
to critically think about it, interact with it, analyze it, and use it to formulate a solution.
This type of instruction enhances critical thinking and higher order thinking skills and helps students demonstrate a deeper understanding of the content and concepts presented as well as the problem-solving process.
Students should also have choices in how their information and solution is presented. Formats such as PowerPoint presentations, posters, brochures, pamphlets, reports, web pages, and movies created with technology can be utilized.
Giving students a choice in their final presentations not only allows them to showcase their talents and strengths but allows students
to make their own decisions about the best ways to present their data to others, which is oftentimes required in the workplace.
Incorporating technology into the classroom using an active/inquiry-based method enhances the skills required for success in the 21st century.
It requires students to use the computer as a tool to gather information, analyze data, and present a solution to a given problem.
These are the skills that the technology rich environments of today emphasize and require; therefore, using technology in this manner will aide students in developing life long skills that can be carried over to the workforce.
It’s a Good Time to Become a Teacher
– Are you looking for a rewarding career?
– Have you ever thought of becoming a teacher?
Turn your love of learning in to a love of teaching and experience the joy of helping students discover their potential.
Teaching today requires more than just caring about students and knowing one’s subject well. It is the job of an educator to know what motivates students, how to diagnose their strengths and weaknesses, and how to create and atmosphere in which students thrive.
Being a teacher is a rewarding and demanding profession and it has the power to shape America’s future. If you want to change lives for the better, pursuing a teching career can be the right choice for you.
Teacher Responsibilities
Teachers help students learn and apply concepts in subjects such as English, Science and mathematics. They take action using interactive debate or a practical approach to help children understand conceptual ideas, use problem-solving skills and build up critical thinking processes. Teachers will prepare students for the future by
To encourage collaboration in solving problems, students are increasingly working in groups to discuss and solve problems together.
Teachers prepare students for the future by having them interact with others in group settings. Teachers will prepare their students further by training them to understand new technology, and lean logical thinking.
It is the ultimate responsibility of a teacher to provide the proper environment in which to teach and practice these skills.
Work Environment
Teachers often work more than 40 hours per week. There is a great deal of time spent outside of the classroom setting where teachers prepare the lessons for their students.
Teachers do, however, only work 9-10 months out of the year. Teachers can find their working conditions to be frustrating at times.
Students are sometimes disrespectful and unmotivated, leaving a teacher to cope with the strain of unmanageable behavior and students who exhibit unsatisfactory performance.
Additional factors such as classroom overcrowding, and lack of school funding can make a teachers work environment even more stressful.
Education and Training
Every state requires teachers to be licensed by the state in which they work, and those requirements vary from state to state.
All states do, however, require that all teachers hold at least a Bachelor’s degree and to have completed an approved teacher training program with an approved number of education credits, as well as supervised practice teaching.
Many states require continuing education for teachers to maintain licensure. Teachers may also study further to become board certified which gives them higher status and pay in their position.
The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards offers this voluntary national certification.
To become nationally accredited, skilled educators confirm their ability to teach by collecting a portfolio showing their effort in the classroom and by passing a written assessment and evaluation of their teaching knowledge.
Employment Outlook is Good for Teachers
Job Opportunities for teachers are excellent ? and will continue to be. There is currently a shortage of qualified teachers in many areas across the country,
and there is expected to be a great deal of current educators retiring over the next 10 years. This will ensure many available opportunities for those wanted to earn their degree to become a teacher.
* According to the American Federation of Teachers, beginning teachers with a bachelor’s degree earned an average of $31,704 in the 2003?04 school year.
The estimated average salary of all public elementary and secondary school teachers in the 2003?04 school year was $46,597.
Four Jobs You Could Get With An Information Technology Degree
Many wonder what exactly does someone with an information technology degree do in the real world.
Despite the fact that many of us regularly work with information technology specialists, a significant number of people don’t really know what this job is all about.
They just know that they need to call the IT guy when something goes wrong with the computer.
But having a degree in information technology provides you with more skills than just being the computer fixer-upper. With this degree, you could work in areas of the computer business as diverse as technology engineering, database specialization and consulting.
Alternatively, you could opt to stick with the traditional IT job of maintaining and repairing computer systems for businesses of all sizes.
One of the most common jobs for someone with an information technology degree to get is an engineering job. There are engineers for both software and hardware, allowing people with interests in different aspects of computers to find their niche.
Engineers assist in the development and design of software applications or hardware systems. This is a highly creative position, which lets people explore innovative technologies while making use of their specialized computer knowledge.
One of the greatest rewards for engineers is to see something they’ve created gain widespread use among average computer users. To hear people talking about how great your new software program works is an ego boost to any engineer.
The best of them will not be satisfied with this alone, though; they’ll continue to push the boundaries of their work to create better systems.
Some people prefer to work on areas of computer technology that apply more to businesses than individuals. Although engineers can do this, a more common area of work for someone with this desire is to use their information technology degree to work in database specialization.
Through this position, the individual creates and re-designs database systems to assist businesses in running more smoothly.
This area of information technology is highly specialized and tends to be favored by people with an information technology degree who don’t ever want to be bored with their work.
They can spend hours each day tinkering with the merging of different systems and the design of new database applications, allowing them to create a product uniquely suited to the development of a client’s business.
Of course, not all people who get an information technology degree want to work just with computers. Some want to do more work with people than they do with machines.
Whereas engineers and database specialists primarily work alone with their equipment, computer consultants work primarily with people.
They explore some of the same aspects of those people in other IT positions but instead of doing the actual work of designing and developing systems and software, they assist others in understanding the utilization of that software.
They may make suggestions to companies for systems that could make operations run more smoothly or consult on large purchases made by small businesses.
The Internet is expanding rapidly. As it does, the information technology degree becomes applicable to an increasing number of jobs.
However, some folks like to keep things simple. If you’d like to just be the person who fixes computer problems as they arise, you can still use your information technology degree to get that type of job.
Generally known as a network administrator, this job is usually a full-time position, which involves fixing daily computer problems, checking the system for errors and assisting with regular updates to the technology.
As important as computer function is to most businesses, this remains one of the most important positions available to information technology specialists.
Bluetooth: The Magic Of Wireless Technology
Bluetooth technology got its name from the Viking King Harald Bluetooth of Denmark, who was famous during his time for his excellent mediation skills.
He connected with a lot of people and was admired by his men for this talent. Hence, when the technology was invented, the name stuck.
This wire free technology enables a broad selection of devices to be able to exchange information with the help of 2.4 GHz short-wave radio signals within a range of up to 120 feet.
Devices like video game consoles, mobile phones, PCs, laptops, PDAs, MP3 players, stereo headsets and printers all can be connected to each other through Bluetooth.
Technology has made our lives so much easier and Bluetooth is one such invention. The best thing about Bluetooth is that you can connect any two devices without using any wires.
The wiring of the computer with various other devices like the fax machine, printer, Internet server can sometimes be a nuisance.
Thanks to Bluetooth technology, pesky wires are no longer required. This technology can connect laptops, headphones, PDAs, cell phones and printers.
And now, you can set up your own PAN (Personal Area Network) where you can be linked to other laptops, cell phones, printers, etc. as long as the other devices used are also Bluetooth enabled.
The Bluetooth keyboard and mouse are some of the best applications of this technology, as it makes it easy for people to use their computers.
With Bluetooth technology you can have hands free communication; you can now take your phone calls while driving, cooking, jogging, etc. and you can listen to your favorite tunes within the house without that cumbersome cord getting in your way.
Even if the appliances and devices that you already have at home do not have in-built Bluetooth technology, you can upgrade them with the help of a USB Bluetooth adapter, commonly known as the Bluetooth dongle.
Bluetooth technology is excellent for multiple users sharing a common device. For example, a good number of computers can use the same printer without having to be connected to it with wires.
The Bluetooth technology products are also very reasonably priced and everybody can afford them.
Because 2.4 GHz, the radio band where Bluetooth operates in, is an unlicensed industrial, scientific, medical (ISM) radio band,
there is no cost for the use of Bluetooth technology. You pay for your device and it is definitely worth every penny.
Have you ever thought about how technology and consumerism seem to go hand in hand? Many of the technological advancements are perfected for military or government use and then transferred to the public sector
All of this has led us into a nation of deep credit card debt. Putting things on credit has become easier than any other time in history.
A big part of this is that people do not mind being in debt and that there are so many ways of charging things. There are instant approval credit cards available in all major stores.
Some people will use one or two major credit cards to make all of their purchases, but for those that do not qualify for a major credit card or have too large of a balance on a major card they may choose to go for the instant approval credit cards for the specific store that they are wanting to make a purchase at.
Many of the incentive programs of buying something with no money down and no payments for several months involve applying for instant approval credit cards.
At the beginning of the lawn care season our lawn mower stopped working. It would have cost more money to repair it than the machine was worth. We had had it for six years and it was a cheaper model to begin with. We went looking for a new lawn mower.
We decided to purchase one locally to help out our small town merchants and also for the convenience of having it repaired if it should need it.
The lawn mower company that the dealer represented was offering a deal of nothing down and no payments for twelve months.
We decided that we would do this since we had not budgeted for the new lawn mower. When we began looking at the machines we thought they seemed very high priced.
The dealer assured us that they were excellent machines and we would not have to buy another one in our life time. It was almost closing time so we told him we would let him know the next day if we were going to purchase the machine.
We did some price checking online and realized that the price he was asking was very competitive. We called the next day and told him we would take it and that we wanted the financing. He said that they used the instant approval credit cards.
He took my husbands name and social security number and typed it into the computer as my husband gave it to him. In under a minute we were approved for a ten thousand dollar line of credit.
We could not believe the speed in which the instant approval credit cards worked. We realized how easy it would be for someone to take out huge lines of credit in a hurry if you were a victim of identity theft.
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